The Beatles : Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1/1 1st Stereo Press

This has to be the most STUNNING first press stereo recording of this album that I have ever played!  'As new' sums it up perfectly - the audio is so clear and precise with no interference on either side, a couple of dust ticks at most!  The clarity, warmth and definition of the audio is exceptional - the sonic quality is quite simply on another level.  There is no spindle wear and the vinyl is the most pristine example I have ever found, it is visually stunning to say the least.  I suspect it has only been played once or twice if at all during the last 54 years.  This is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE first pressing i.e. no need to purchase another as it would be impossible to find better audio than this!  I usually steer clear of words like 'impossible' etc but it definitely applies here!

It is also quite an interesting 'hybrid' as it comes with an original Fourth Proof mono cover.  I purchased this album along with a number of other Beatles records from the same owner who was certain this was never a mix and match.  I have done some research online and it does seem that some 'left over' mono covers were packaged with stereo records.  This album was originally recorded and mixed in mono so it would not be surprising if too many mono covers were produced and why waste them?  However, this is certainly the first time I have seen a Fourth Proof cover left over as it were.  This particular one is in fantastic condition and is the finest I have ever seen with barely any noticeable wear.  It kind of confirms the previous owners opinion that he bought the 'two' as one i.e. both the vinyl and cover have been beautifully preserved together from when first purchased.  The Fourth Proof covers were obviously not produced in high numbers and it is very rare to find one as stunning as this!

As this is a first stereo pressing it has the 1/1 matrix, and 'Sold In. U.K. Subject...' info on the label and 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd...' around the perimeter edge.  You will notice that In has an extra dot after it as some of the original first pressings had this.  The G&L Patents pending Fourth Proof cover is the final version of the prototypes that were produced and has the Fourth Proof text on the inside flipback and the AR D 1321 reference number on the same flipback next to the spine.

Finally, the original red 'Fool' inner and cut out card are also in superb condition.  An amazing 'package' for sure!

PCS 7027 // YEX 637 - 1 / YEX 638 - 1 // GOM 2 / GOM 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The 'fourth proof' gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Mint

The 'Fool' inner sleeve is Ex++

The cut out card is Mint

This has to be the most pristine vinyl of this classic album that I have ever laid eyes upon!  It still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches and I can only detect a couple of ultra faint and small hairlines and one tiny 'speck' on S2.  It is so clean and obviously has no groove wear or clouding/fading and the run out grooves are also spotless.  Rarely there is no spindle wear to be seen and the labels are super clean with no marking or writing.  The KT tax code can clearly be seen on the S1 label.  At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking this LP has just been bought 'new' from the record shop and it is incredible to think it is just over 54 years old!  It has been beautifully preserved down the years and is a truly a stunning example of a first pressing.

Play grading  

The audience intro on 'Sgt. Pepper's...' is as clean as the day it was first released 54 years ago, the clarity is amazing!  Harrison's brief solo is just as good and the opening vocal is 'as new' with no 'background' of any kind.  It continues to play with a clarity and depth that is second to none and Paul's vocal in particular is stunning.  Despite being 'high octane' there is no distortion on the top end.  This is a sublime start to this classic album and Mint is entirely justified.

The segue into 'With A Little Help From My Friends' plays with perfect precision and from then on the sonic quality is incredible!  I cannot overstate just how well this album is playing so far - Ringo's vocal here is unbelievably clean and every musical note so sharp and precise.  An immaculate Mint version with no need for a minus :-)

The intro on 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' has a couple of barely audible dust ticks and then plays with breathtaking quality through every verse and chorus.  Audio does not get any better than this!  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and it is 100% obvious this vinyl has hardly ever been played if at all!  The long fade out provides further evidence of this with not even a single dust tick.  Mint

'Getting Better' plays with wonderful quality from start to finish with no intrusion.  Again there is no distortion and the clarity and definition could not be any more impressive.  If you win this LP just listen to Harrison's final few notes, you'll understand what I mean!  Another Mint track.

I obviously do not want to repeat myself but 'Fixing A Hole' delivers on every level also with a sonic quality that is flawless.  This is Mint there is no need to add anything else.

I have lost count the amount of times that I have said 'She's Leaving Home' always plays with some static distortion!  I am delighted to say I do not have to say that anymore!  This is unquestionably the finest version I have ever heard with a clarity of sound that is UNBELIEVABLE!  Never in all my years of listening to stereo or mono versions of this track have I heard it play with a quality that can only be described 'as new'.  It truly is a STUNNING Mint eversion from the first note to the last.

'Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!' more than keeps up this fine standard with sublime quality throughout.  The intro and John's opening vocal have no interference and the first 'fairground' wurlitzer section is mind-blowing!  It is so clear and powerful and the remainder of this little gem plays to the same 'high end' standard.  There is perhaps just a minimal touch of distortion on the vocal but in saying that I'm not sure 'distortion' is the right word for it.  It is so minimal and hardly warrants a mention and Mint- is still more than deserved.  What a side, the 'perfect' side it could be said.

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The intro on 'Within You Without You' is so clean and again 'as new' is the only way to describe it.  George's opening vocal is equally as good and it continues to play with outstanding clarity and depth.  Every section plays with impeccable precision and I honestly heard things I have never noticed before, no word of a lie!  Most notably during the mid instrumental and that is just a measure of the clarity on offer here.  Whilst it may not be a favourite I think this 'eastern' track has a certain charm to it that 'fits in' perfectly with the other tracks and it is without doubt a Mint start to the side.  Once more I cannot emphasise enough just how fantastic the audio is!  The depth is incredible!

'When I'm Sixty-Four' plays with stunning clarity from the get go and continues in the same precise way.  A couple of insignificant dust ticks that is all and Mint is deserved.

'Lovely Rita' plays to the same standard with no sign of any interference.  No decrease in clarity this is Mint from start to finish.  Just to add I do not use the term Mint lightly - I listen to every second of every track so as to provide a comprehensive grading and only use Mint when there is literally no interference.

The farmyard intro on 'Good Morning, Good Morning' has none of the static distortion that you so often find and then proceeds to play with imperious quality for the remainder.  Once more each note plays with such precision and there is no distortion on the top end despite being a more up tempo track.  Mint

The reprise of 'Sgt. Pepper's...' is out of this world!  The intro is the strongest I have ever heard and that very much applies to that classic opening bass section.  The vocals play so clearly with no distortion and the accompanying music is just as impressive.  A Mint reprise in every way!

There are of course so many classics on this album but 'A Day In The Life' is certainly up there with the best.  The acoustic/piano intro plays perfectly and the opening verses are 'as new' with not even a dust tick.  The first crescendo section is so powerful with no distortion and the next verse has no 'background' at all.  The orchestral section is flawless and the final vocal also plays with a precision that you rarely find today.  The end crescendo is fantastic!  It plays with tremendous power and there is just no distortion on the top end.  So often that final piano note has some static distortion but that is not the case here.  There is just minimal light static on the long fade out but is still one of the 'cleanest' fade outs I have heard in a long time.  A Mint- grade is a true refection of the audio here.  Oh and the 'nonsense' song as the stylus runs off also plays to perfection!

In summary this first stereo pressing plays to the highest standard possible with a clarity, depth and warmth that is STUNNING in every sense of the word.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic with a sonic quality that can honestly be described 'as new'.  In all my years of selling on eBay I have never found one with audio as 'clean' and precise as this and I am almost tempted to keep it!  There is no interference on either side and as previously stated the vinyl is visually in perfect condition with no spindle wear and I do wonder seriously if this has ever been played before.  I am convinced even the most die-hard of collectors would be as impressed by the audio quality on offer here.  Admittedly it may not suit everyone to have a stereo record inside a 'fourth proof' mono cover but I am sure this was just a mix up in the factory and is a very interesting hybrid regardless.  A STUNNING 'complete' album for sure.

The Fourth Proof Gatefold, 'Fool' Inner Sleeve & Cut Out Card

The laminated G & L Patents pending Fourth Proof cover is in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges are perfect with no  sign of any rubbing and the thin spine is still 100% legible and in great condition also.  So often it is found with splits etc but this one is very clean with only a slightly rough texture in a handful of places and a small number of very small faint 'specks'.  There is no actual laminate damage on the spine at all and the corners are very clean with barely any wear.  The same applies to the right hand corners also.  The opening edge of the front cover has only very minimal handling wear on the inside edge and the opening edge on the back is pristine.  The front cover is in beautiful condition with no obvious wear - just one tiny white 'rub' top left, a couple of insignificant laminate creases and a very small area of laminate lift bottom right.  The back cover is just as impressive with only a tiny white 'rub' top right and a miniscule area of laminate lift bottom left but really these are so minor and hardly deserve a mention.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and for once the inner spine is undamaged, a sign that it has not been opened very much.  The 'fourth proof' lettering and the AR D 1321 reference can clearly be seen.  The top flipbacks are in fantastic shape with no staining on the edges are remain firmly affixed to the cover.  The colours on the inside and on the front and back covers have lost none of their original glossy look and this is easily one of the finest examples of this rare cover that you will ever find.  It's the best Fourth Proof I have certainly ever found and perhaps even Ex++ is underselling it!  It is stunning!

The original psychedelic red 'Fool' inner is in great condition and has no edge splits which is quite a rarity!  It has only minimal creasing, one small mark and just a little age related fading around a couple of the edges.  It has Made In Great Britain and Patents Applied For printed on one side.  The cut out card insert is also in fantastic condition, 'as new' in fact.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PCS 7027 // YEX 637 - 1 / YEX 638 - 1 // GOM 2 / GOM 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.00 per extra

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