THE BEATLES

"SERGEANT PEPPER" LP

1967 1st UK MONO PRESSING

WITH THE MEGA RARE INVERTED "FOURTH PROOF" TEXT ON THE TOP FLAP OF THE INSIDE GATEFOLD COVER ABOVE GEORGE HARRISON'S HEAD - SEE SCAN

Yellow & Black Parlophone Label

PMC 7027 

XEX 637-1 & XEX 638-1

1st Pressing Matrix Numbers

Why is this version so rare and collectible?

I have spoken to several Beatles experts and this what they have told me.......

The "Fourth Proof" sleeve represents the earliest possible pressing of the Sgt Pepper cover. The Fourth Proof was the final version of the various 'prototypes' that were explored by the Beatles when the cover was being designed. The cover (and text) was approved by the Beatles and an initial very small 'test' run (estimated at 40 to 50 only) was undertaken to make sure everything looked OK. This small test run is characterised by the inverted "Fourth Proof" text in the top right hand corner of the inner gatefold - just above George Harrison's head. This is therefore the earliest possible 'prototype' (test pressing) cover. It was never intended that these test pressing covers should be used but one or two slipped past quality control and are now considered to be the rarest of all the Sgt Pepper covers.

What makes this even rarer than any other "Fourth Proof" is that further along the same fold-back is the printed text "AR D1321" which I am told was probably the reference number for the prototype text that was used. I have never ever seen this additional text on a Fourth Proof cover before - unique?????????

Another tell-tale sign that this is an earliest pressing is that the 'Wide-Spine' cover has "Printed and Made by Garrod & Lofthouse Patents Pending" at the base of the rear cover. Later pressings simply stated "Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd" - because by the time of the official launch of Sgt Pepper, G&L had got their patents confirmed.  

The record also has the 1st pressing text......

"SOLD IN THE U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS"

AND

"THE GRAMOPHONE CO." TEXT ON THE LABELS.

+ it comes with the original red inner sleeve

and

Sgt Pepper cut out insert.

The only other one of these I have seen sold for £658 on ebay in February this year.

Vinyl: Very Good+. 

Cover: Gatefold fully laminated cover is very good. Spine has begun to fray.  Edges and corners have some wear. Not mint or even excellent - but very good.

Original red/white Inner sleeve: Very Good. Some tape at the base and a small doodle on one side.

Sgt Pepper insert: Near Mint.

Labels: Excellent. KT Tax Code. 1st Pressing  matrices.

UK postage £3.50

EUROPE postage £5.50

Mint - The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.

Excellent - The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.

Very Good - The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch.

Good - The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches.

Fair - The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise, it may even jump.

Poor - The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc

Bad - The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler.