Beatles LP - Rubber Soul - Original 1965 Earliest UK -1 'loud cut' 1st press

	£		167
	$		221

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The Beatles – Rubber Soul 1965 – UK 1st pressing (-1 matrix) on the yellow & black Parlophone labels. PMC 1267. Pre-dating the original 3rd December 1965 release date. Comes in its original 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse patents pending sleeve.

A stunning copy of this ultra rare -1 ‘loud-cut’ pressing.

Of all Rubber Soul matrix variants that were released in 1965 the -1 matrix pressing is by far the rarest. Pressed in small numbers; one only has to look at the frequency at which they now appear at auction to realise how scarce they are and when they do turn up at auction they are usually unplayable.

Production of these -1 matrix copies was halted very early on in the production cycle and switched to the -4 matrix copies. These -1 copies are now becoming extremely scarce in this condition.

As John Lennon once said ‘Rubber Soul’ is when it started to get interesting’. A great album with tracks such as ‘Norwegian Wood’, ‘Michelle’, ‘Girl’, ‘in My Life’ and many more.

The workload of the Beatles in 1965 was enormous. After finishing their 2nd American tour at the end of August 1965 they returned home and under pressure from EMI were almost ordered to write, record and produce an album in time for the Christmas market.

It’s an indication of their genius; for what they came up with inside those few weeks was the masterpiece – Rubber Soul. Recording finished in November of 1965 and discs were cut on 17th, 19th and 23rd of that month and rushed to the EMI pressing plant in Hayes where production immediately started. The finished article was delivered into the shops on the 3rd December 1965.

These -1 matrix pressings are a significant rarity along with the XEX 606-1 copies of Revolver.

Happy bidding and good luck!

Matrix numbers: XEX 579-1 & YEX 580-1 (‘Loud Cut’)

Stamper codes: 4/GDM & 4/GDM (unusual duplicate stamper codes)

Please check out the pictures and read on for further details:-

CONDITION

Disc

Visual: Side one EXCELLENT+  Side two EXC+ to MINT-

A superb looking disc which appears virtually mint in strong daylight. On close inspection and when angled towards the light a small non feelable mark becomes visible on side one but quickly disappears when the record is angled or rotated. On closer examination under an unforgiving halogen desklight side one exhibits some very fine micro marks and whispy sleeve removal marks, side one grades at excellent+. Side two appears virtually flawless in strong daylight even under intense halogen light only fine micro marks and whispy sleeve removal marks are visible. Side two is close to a near MINT grade; grades between exc+ to nr mint. The heavy duty disc lies 100% flat on the turntable.

In summary; I can’t stress how difficult it is to find a -1 mono Rubber Soul vinyl in such condition; a true rarity. 

Labels: EXCELLENT+

A superb set of labels with only very light evidence of spindle traces. All lettering is unworn and there is no writing or personalization to any part of the labels.

Audio: EXC+to MINT-

Stunning analogue audio throughout with the unmistakable bass rich sound of this -1 matrix copy. Very little to fault with only a minimum of light surface noise in places. There is no groovewear or distortion to any of the music signals. Most tracks grade at mint or mint- including Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Girl & If I Needed someone. The classic track In My Life is as near perfect as vinyl can get. Even the easily damaged inner most track Michelle plays superbly with very little to fault. There are no loud pops or ticks and the record does not jump or stick.

Cover

EXCELLENT+ 

A stunning 1965 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse cover. The front panel is fresh and still retains its original high gloss laminate sheen. There are two possibly three faint thumbnail creases to the front cover but other than this it is very difficult to fault. The rear cover is in impressive condition and shows only light signs of natural ageing. There is some very tiny storage wear to the bottom left corner. There is no writing or personalization to any part of the cover. All flipbacks are strong and intact. The spine is in pristine condition. Tough to find in this condition.

Inner-sleeve EXC+

Original 1965 rice paper inner which still retains its original freshness.

Any questions please ask

PLEASE NOTE: 1st class next day Special Delivery to UK addresses will be 8.50 GBP. For worldwide shipments please email me for price.

This record has been strictly and conservatively graded to ‘UK RECORD COLLECTOR' standards.

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