THE BEATLES - WHITE ALBUM NO EMI 1ST PRESS RARE APPLE STAMP & KJT TAX VG/ VG LP

	£		85
	$		113

THE BEATLES
WHITE ALBUM
CAT. NO. PCS 7068/ 7069
1968 1st STEREO PRESSING NO E.M.I CREDITS ON SIDES 1 AND 2 AND EARLY STAMPERS
-1/ -1/ -1/ -2 MATRICES
INCREDIBLY THERE IS AN APPLE FACTORY STAMP ON THIS 1ST ISSUE SLEEVE!
RARELY SEEN THE LP ALSO BENEFITS FROM TWO TAX CODE STAMPS!
ONE OF THESE TAX CODE STAMPS IS THE INCREDIBLY RARE KJT STAMP!
The sleeve is the 1st issue 7 digit numbered type with 'stereo' embossed on the rear. It is very neat overall grading as a strong Very Good. It has retained much of its whiteness, the lamination is not marked or frayed, and the edges are smooth and unworn, except the top opening edges with very minor nicks. The spine retains clear title text and is smooth and lamination barely un-frayed. The fold-over's on the inner gatefold are incredibly neat and tidy. The inner partition is intact keeping the records separated. There are few crease line to the rear panel and front panel and and a couple on the inner gatefold. Other than that it looks startling retaining its gloss and is very clean overall. Numbered 0521501. Extremely rare to see it has been factory stamped by APPLE.
The inner sleeves are the original's. One of them has been repaired but the are both looking pretty Good overall and do the job of retaining the records. There is only minor fraying to the top edges but otherwise fully intact. The one which has not been repaired has a small split on the bottom edge, but both have neat label aperature's.
The Photo's and Poster have been taken from a 1970's issue of the White Album; they are in Excellent condition except George Harrison which has light age spotting.
The vinyl's are in very respectable condition for such an early iteration. Would grade as a strong Very Good. The surface shine still gleams out all over and in every direction it projects its glossy black finish. There is evidence of play-use but it is clear that they have been listened to in moderation, and well handled. There are several hairlines scattered here on each side, and really only showing up in under a light with the records held angled, but there are non at all that stand out or are remotely feel-able or causing audio problems. There is no evidence of groove wear, warps, scuffs, needle drops etc. Regardless of how early this particular copy is, I believe its condition would beat the average pressing that comes up for sale.
The labels grade as Very Good overall. There is no obvious spindle wear but there are some light localised spindle lines. Side 3 has had a sticker removed, but barely noticeable. This is a rare find but the tax code appears twice! Once on Side 1 as KT and again on Side 3 as the much harder to find KJT - both still bold. The Apple white's are the 1st pressing darker types.
Mothers & Stampers are 6 MO, 4 PD, 5 RL, 1 TAG
The audio is great. It plays clearly and lucidly most of the way through with very few audible detractions. Side 1 has a jump on the first track and light crackle on the intro of the next two tracks. Side 3 has a little background interference on Mother Nature's Son. I only detected a few static-type tics in a one or two of the intro's and fade-out's throughout the rest of the LP but certainly nothing overpowering. I'm confident it won't cause disappointment as they are mostly quiet and most tracks that are largely acoustic do not suffer from interference. There is no background interference (or very little discernible) over the main body of the music, certainly no pops, or skips, or sticks etc. I would grade as Very Good Plus on the whole, and is great to hear such depth to the stereo channelling  and punchy vocals made the more special being from one of the first. Once it has passed the first couple of tracks of Side 1 and 3 the rest plays beautifully, clearly and lucidly like it is supposed to.

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I use the record collector grading guide.
The LP will be extremely well protected using a professional LP mailer with a stiffener, and I add extra outer padding for overseas orders.
The vinyl will be removed from the original inner sleeves, placed in a new generic one's and placed next to the main sleeve and will all be housed in a best on the market thumb-weld glass sleeve.