THE BEATLES RARE SGT PEPPERS WIDE SPINE 1st PRESS MONO IN GREAT VG+/M- CONDITION

	£		51
	$		68

Rare Beatles Sgt Peppers Mono Album With Wide Spine Sleeve (PMC 7027) - 1967

This is a truly great example of this classic album with a nice wide spine cover and fantastic condition vinyl. It comes with the original insert and a plain white inner sleeve. I will explain in more detail each element to accompany the images I have added to the auction. These were taken with a high resolution SLR (Nikon D7100) to hopefully give you a good indication of the condition of the item.

Cover

This I believe to be the rare first pressing wide spine edition, this was quickly changed on the 2nd pressing as they were apparently getting crushed in storage and not standing up to the general shop wear and tear. The front is in very nice condition and retains most of it's original vibrancy, however, it probably does show a slight element of fading. There are a couple of light creases on the top left and right corners as well as a slight scuff on the bottom right corner. If you look at it under a bright light there are a few surface creases, however, these are not really noticeable under normal viewing. The laminate retains its original lustre so is nice and shiny.

The rear is a great deep bright Red with very little fading, it does have a few creases on the right hand side next to the spine but these are more noticeable under bright light. There is also a small crease at the bottom left corner. The cover is printed and made by Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd (no Patents Pending text).

The inside cover is great with a couple of very light creases but no major marks or blemishes. The wraparound folds at the top have faded ever so slightly in comparison to the rest of the image but it looks very vibrant and punchy.

The spine is what I believe to be considered as the Wide Spine and measures approx 8mm in the centre and drops to around 6/7mm as it tapers out towards the top and bottom of the cover, this is where it was probably squashed slightly as there is no support from the vinyl inside at the edges. It has no rips or tears and all the text is beautifully legible, it does however have some creasing due to the squashing mentioned previously. There is some slight rubbing where the spine joins the back cover and a thin line of the Red print from the back as rubbed away in the centre.

Overall I would grade the cover as VG+ (Although a very nice VG+)

Vinyl

The vinyl can be considered to be M- as both sides are in fantastic condition, they are very hard to come by like this as these albums were played and played. The spindle holes show some sign of use but are on the whole extremely good considering the age of the record. The matrix numbers are XEX 637-1 for Side 1 and XEX 638-1 for Side 2. Side 1 also shows the K T Stampers as well as having an extra dot (full stop) before the U in the Sold in the UK text, this is not replicated on Side 2 as that is has it should be. The run out on Side 1 has 1 and A6 stamped into it, Side 2 appears to show 35 (3 above the 5 rather than at the side of it) on the left side and RL on right side of the label, however, this is quite difficult to make out.

Side 2 lists A Day In The Life as track 6 which was apparently omitted on the 2nd pressing.

Insert

The insert is a nice dark green and I would grade it as excellent condition, it does have a slight bend/curl at the bottom right, however, this could probably be flattened back out if lightly ironed. There is a very small bit of fading at the top right corner.

Inner Sleeve

It comes with a plain White sleeve that appears to be the original, it has the smell and patina of old paper that has aged. Although not the sought after 'Fools' print it is in great condition and probably testament to the fact that this record was not played very much. It lists on one side PATENT Nos. 1,125,55 and MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN. at the other. I am not sure what the actual truth is but I have been told by a number of people who bought this album on release that their copies came with plain White sleeves and not all of them had the 'Fools' inner.

If you have any specific questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I will package the record thoroughly to ensure it gets to you in the best possible condition.