The Beatles Rubber Soul Vinyl Record LP 1st Orig US Press '65 Mono Strong EX NM-

$

165

Item Description

The Beatles – Rubber Soul ( Capitol Records – ST 2442)

Pressing features: 1st Original U.S. Press, 1965, Mono

Notes: A pivotal turning point in The Beatles’ catalog, Rubber Soul (1965) is their sixth studio album, arriving after Help! and before the groundbreaking Revolver, and marking the moment they evolved from chart-dominating pop icons into serious album-oriented artists; steeped in folk-rock influences (notably inspired by Bob Dylan), it introduced more introspective lyrics, richer harmonies, and sonic experimentation—including the sitar on “Norwegian Wood,” one of the first uses of Indian instrumentation in Western pop.The album’s title plays on both “plastic soul,” a phrase coined by Paul McCartney, and the band’s growing embrace of soul music influences. The album is brilliant because it seamlessly blends emotional depth with melodic immediacy, creating songs that feel both personal and timeless while quietly redefining what a pop album could achieve. Rubber Soul also directly influenced artists like Brian Wilson, leading to Pet Sounds. It has been consistently honored on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” ranking as high as #5 in 2003 and later revised to #35 in the 2020 update, reflecting both its enduring legacy and the evolving critical landscape.

Vinyl Record grade: Near Mint minus (some may grade at Strong VG++/EX, and that would be a fair interpretation depending on grading standards)

Record shows a clean, glossy surface with one single light, tiny  superficial mark visible under bright light—not deep or feelable that would affect playback (you can see it in the photos - see Side 1, Track 5 "The Word" - I did audio test this carefully and heard nothing, no clicks, no distortion or affect at all on sound quality). Other than that, the record is pristine. It has been well cared for, retains strong shine, and plays through nicely. Labels are clean and vibrant with no major wear. Overall, a very respectable, well-preserved original copy that presents beautifully and delivers an enjoyable listening experience.

Cover/Jacket grade: VG++, Jacket is excellent. It is difficult to find faults with it. No writing. Little to no shelf wear. Edges are nice and sharp. No seam splits. The jacket features the iconic distorted portrait of the band, with the artwork remaining clear, vibrant, and richly colored—showing strong detail in the faces, no fading, and well-preserved typography.  

Other contents: includes original inner sleeve 

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The record has been ultrasonically cleaned and will ship with a premium MoFi inner sleeve and a protective outer sleeve. For added protection, the record will be placed outside of the album jacket within a plastic outer sleeve to prevent seam splits. It will be securely packaged in a reinforced media mailer and clearly labeled as fragile.

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Record Grading Scale (Based on visual inspection)

Sealed / Mint

Used only for factory-sealed items. 

The record remains unopened in its original shrink. Because the record has never been removed from the sleeve, the vinyl itself cannot be visually inspected. Minor corner dings or shrink wrap tears may be present but will be noted in the listing if significant.

Near Mint (NM)

A nearly perfect record.

The vinyl appears unplayed or played very few times and will show no visible scratches, scuffs, or marks. The surface retains full original gloss. This grade is reserved for exceptional copies from well-maintained collections that have been carefully handled and properly stored.

Very Good ++ (VG++) / Excellent 

An excellent copy with only the most minimal signs of handling. 

The record may show one or two extremely faint surface marks or light hairlines visible only under strong light. These marks are purely superficial and should not affect play. The vinyl still presents beautifully with strong gloss.

Very Good + (VG+)

A well-cared-for record that shows light signs of use.

The vinyl may display several light surface marks, hairlines, or superficial scuffs from handling or sleeve contact. These are generally light and difficult to see without careful inspection. Records in this grade typically play very well with minimal background noise.

Very Good (VG) 

A record that has been played and shows clear signs of use.

The vinyl will show noticeable surface marks, scratches, and general play wear. These marks are easily visible and result in some surface noise, but the record should still play through without skipping.

Good + (G+)

A heavily used but still playable record.

The vinyl will show numerous marks, scratches, and visible wear, including scratches that may be deep enough to feel with a fingernail. Surface noise, pops, and crackle should be expected. Despite cosmetic wear, the record should play through without repeating or skipping unless otherwise noted.

Cover/Jacket Grading Scale

Sealed / Mint

Used only for factory-sealed albums in original shrink wrap.

Minor shrink tears, corner dings, or storage wear may be present and will be noted if significant.

Near Mint (NM)

An exceptional cover with virtually no visible wear.

The jacket appears almost new, with sharp corners, clean surfaces, and no ring wear, writing, stickers, or seam splits. This grade is used sparingly for outstanding examples.

Very Good ++ (VG++) / Excellent 

A very attractive cover with only minor cosmetic flaws.

The jacket may show very light ring wear, slightly softened corners, or minimal edge wear. A small sticker or faint writing may be present but does not detract from the overall presentation.

Very Good + (VG+)

A clean, solid cover with moderate signs of handling.

Possible flaws include light ring wear, minor edge wear, small creases, sleeve scuffs, or small stickers/writing. The cover remains structurally sound and displays well.

Very Good (VG)

A cover with clear wear but still fully intact.

The jacket may include more noticeable ring wear, edge wear, or creasing. It may also have a drill hole, cut corner, moderate sticker residue, or a small seam split (approximately 1-3 inches). Corners may be rounded from use.

Good + (G+)

A heavily worn cover with significant cosmetic issues.

Common flaws may include major ring wear, large seam splits, heavy edge wear, major sticker damage, writing or doodles, soft or worn spine, or full split seams. The cover remains complete but shows obvious age and wear.