THE BEATLES REVOLVER UK ORIGINAL STEREO -1&-1 1&2 FIRST

	£		89
	$		118

An Important Foreword Regarding Condition & Grading: Regular visitors to my listings will know that I offer albums that range from very good to near mint in terms of condition. I don’t restrict my offerings to just near mint, and I don’t just call everything great or excellent plus regardless of condition. Occasionally a rare album turns up which in some respects grades very good plus but in other ways is  outstanding so providing each of the features are individually and accurately graded, and I take great care with this, I am happy to offer it for sale. However, all vinyl albums I offer are at least highly presentable and deliver enjoyable audio, and most are much better than that – if you are intending to bid please read the individual grading and check that you are satisfied before placing your bid.

Specific notes concerning this album: I have changed the format of my listings slightly in order to highlight specific aspects of the condition of the albums I am offering for sale. These comments will still appear in the dedicated sections but I hope that this ‘headlining’ will prevent bidders from overlooking key points in their evaluation. This particular album is ‘near excellent or better throughout’ in audio and visual terms, with just reasonable evidence of occasional use and storage during the past 44 years. The earliest original Garrod & Lofthouse Patents pending front laminated flip-back cover is generally well above the average with just some minor superficial creases at the edges on the front, four light surface ‘crescent’ creases towards the entry edge. There’s minor edge and corner rub wear. The non-laminated back is generally excellent with just the lightest of surface rub wear and much less than is typically seen on these early originals. There is some corner bruising and a tiny seam separation on the bottom leading entry edge as well as some light creasing and join discolouration on the flip-backs – again much less than is typical for age and type. The spine is in near excellent shape and condition – it would grade even higher but there is a scuff near the centre which has removed the ‘a’ from ‘Beatles’. The beautiful heavyweight (150 grammes) vinyl has a brilliant high gloss; there’s just a small quantity of superficial bag movement lines caused by brushing against the inner and a couple of the superficial surface ‘brush lines’ probably caused by light stylus contact, which have absolutely no consequence on the audio performance whatsoever. There are very few visible spindle lines on each of the labels close to the spindle hole which gives a general indication that the vinyl has experienced relatively little use over the years and, although this evidence should not be relied upon in isolation because some people are more careful than others, taken along with the play grade which is brilliant I can confidently state that the vinyl has definitely not had a hard life. These UK stereo originals – which are the GENUINE FIRST PRESSINGS are, in my experience, the rarest variants of REVOLVER bar none.

Album / Record Title: REVOLVER

Rarity: EXTREMELY RARE IN THIS NEAR EXCELLENT OR BETTER CONDITION THROUGHOUT – the first UK STEREO format variants of REVOLVER YELLOW/BLACK £ PARLOPHONE labels are the UK ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSINGS of this album – AND THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST PRESSED AS EVIDENCED BY THE 2 & 1 MOTHERS WITH THE 40th. & 7th. STAMPERS. Contrary to the norm the first monos were actually the second pressings. The album was released August 1966 which was during the long commercial transition period from mono to stereo. Many of the record buying public had still not invested in the more expensive stereo reproduction record players by that time and, although you could play stereo record on mono equipment, there may still have been a consumer preference for mono. It seems that pre-release it was decided this album would be heard at its best using stereo technology due to the intricacy and complexity of some of the pioneering and experimental techniques. Consequently the intention may have been to release exclusively in the stereo format but this changed and quite soon after the first stereos were released it was re-pressed in mono. THIS IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF A VERY EARLY UK FIRST STEREO PRESSING RECORDED ON THE PARLOPHONE £ YELLOW AND BLACK printed with the ‘GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD…’ on label perimeter and ‘SOLD IN THE U.K. SUBJECT TO….SEE PRICE LISTS’ TEXT, WITH THE ‘KT’ PURCHASE TAX CODE EITHER SIDE OF THE SPINDLE HOLE ON SIDE 2 – ALL PRESSED ON A SUPERB HEAVY VINYL with FIRST PRESS MATRICES with EARLY MOTHERS & STAMPERS all housed in the original Garrod & Lofthouse Patents pending classic front laminated single slip cover with ‘flip-backs’, solid ‘stereo’ notation top right, and bearing the DR. ROBERT title on the cover track list but with the DOCTOR ROBERT on the record label, which along with the stereo format are unique characteristics of the EARLY ORIGINAL FIRST UK ISSUES. THIS ALBUM CERTAINLY QUALIFIES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION EXTREMELY RARE.

The key features are listed below:

• COMPLETE ORIGINAL UK ALBUM FIRST PRESS & FIRST ISSUE
• FIRST MATRICES, EARLY MOTHERS, EARLY STAMPERS & ‘KT’
• SUPERB HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL EXCELLENT TO PLUS CONDITION
• STEREO RECORDING FORMAT DELIVERING SENSATIONAL AUDIO
• ORIGINAL PARLOPHONE £ YELLOW/BLACK LABELS EXCELLENT
• WITH ‘THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD…’ TEXT ON LABEL PERIMETER
• WITH DR. ROBERT ON COVER & DOCTOR ROBERT SIDE 2 LABEL
• ORIGINAL ‘EMITEX’ PATENTS APPLIED FOR GREY PRINT INNER
• UK G&L PATENTS PENDING FRONT LAMINATED FLIP BACK COVER
• REALLY HARD TO FIND CLASSIC IN THIS VARIANT & CONDITION

Artiste(s): THE BEATLES - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

Produced By: George Martin

Disc Format & Playing Speed: 12” LP & 33 1/3 r.p.m.

Recording Format: STEREO

Record label: ORIGINAL PARLOPHONE £ LOGO YELLOW ON BLACK with silver text including ‘SOLD IN UK…PRICE LISTS’ & ‘DOCTOR’ TITLE

Catalogue Number: PCS 7009

Country of manufacture and first published date: Gt. BRITAIN 1966

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices side 1:     YEX 605-1

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices side 2:     YEX 606-1

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother / stamper codes side 1:    2 (second mother)    MD (stamper 40)

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother / stamper codes side 2:    1 (first mother - 2 deleted)    H (stamper 7)

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 1:  none visible

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 2:  none visible

N.B. Please note that all matrices, mothers and stampers quoted in my listings are machine imprinted except where I state an alternative method next to them.

Track Listing as per label: SIDE 1: TAXMAN / ELEANOR RIGBY / I’M ONLY SLEEPING / LOVE YOU TO / HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE / YELLOW SUBMARINE / SHE SAID SHE SAID SIDE 2: GOOD DAY SUNSHINE / AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING / FOR NO ONE / DOCTOR ROBERT / I WANT TO TELL YOU / GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE / TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS

My opinion & summary of condition: I am not going to repeat my opinion about The Beatles or this album as it is an enthusiasts or collectors piece and you wouldn’t be reading the listing if you didn’t know what you were looking for; so I will just concentrate on summary of condition. This is genuinely great example of Revolver. The Klaus Voormann designed front laminated G&L Patents pending single slip cover is a little discoloured around the edges with handling marks, some slight surface creasing, and a little edge and corner rub wear; if you’re looking for a pristine cover this may fall just short – but not by much - it is highly presentable and better than most you will find. All corners, edges and edges of flip backs are intact - nothing missing or damaged just minor wear over time. The original ‘EMITEX’ inner is in very good condition. Where this album really shines is the outstanding and impressive HEAVY VINYL PRESSED WITH SOME OF THE EARLIEST MOTHERS AND STAMPERS YOU ARE LIKELY TO FIND which looks and feels lovely both sides with just minor, superficial surface based movement lines, bag marks and light stylus contact; they have no tangible depth, no significant audio consequence and do not affect play in any way – highly recommended.

MY GRADING OF THIS ALBUM based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2008’ (**n.b. please note that I grade accurately backed up by a description. I neither over-exaggerate nor under-exaggerate. I see no point in grading an item with multiple ++++ marks, or under-grading it and then stating that it should be graded better - I consider these methods to be confusing. I use the Record Collector system with either a PLUS or a MINUS to indicate slight variations either side of a grade). I always include a full set of super-sized photographs to provide bidders with the best possible opportunity to make their own visual assessment of each album in conjunction with my detailed descriptions.

Vinyl Visual side 1: EXCELLENT, some superficial surface movement lines and marks caused by bag movement and light stylus contact - not tangible, no significant audio consequence.

Vinyl Visual side 2: EXCELLENT, some superficial surface movement lines and marks caused by bag movement and light stylus contact - not tangible, no significant audio consequence.

Label Visual side 1: EXCELLENT TO PLUS, just a few light spindle lines, minor evidence of handling and age but no marks, no scuffs, no tears, no visible spindle hole wear.

Label Visual side 2: EXCELLENT TO PLUS, just a few light spindle lines, minor evidence of handling and age but no marks, no scuffs, no tears, no visible spindle hole wear.

N.B. Please note that I make no adjustment or allowance in grading for minor marks or slight shrinkage marks / lines on labels caused in original pressing; they are quite normal and in my opinion are individual characteristics – not defects.

Outer Cover: NEAR EXCELLENT, the original classic front laminated single slip cover Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patents pending of mid-weight card construction with flip backs. Some surface creasing on the front towards the spine and leading edge where the vinyl enters as described in the leader paragraph - also some small dents and light chafing at the entry edge, light handling marks over time have caused some general edge browning on the front and non-laminated back, and there are a few small light marks also towards the edges - none of these are unsightly or unpleasant. There is some edge and corner rub wear, and some surface rubbing on the non-laminated back. Overall this is a fairly and carefully used 44 year old cover physically intact and in highly respectable condition but please take a careful look at the super-sized photographs which show it well, in terms of accuracy, and make your own assessment as well.

Spine: NEAR EXCELLENT, physically well formed with square shoulders and pinched ends as they are from new, some minor cross creases and a couple of small scuffs at the centre, one of which has removed the ‘a’ from ‘Beatles’ – please see zoom and enlarge photos for visual.

Inner Sleeve: VERY GOOD PLUS – the original Parlophone era standard EMITEX inner printed with advisory notes in light grey print recommending the use of an EMITEX cleaning cloth, light browning and creasing with age.

Vinyl Warp: none visible when eye tested on a moving turntable.

Vinyl Weight: 150 grammes (a powerful PARLOPHONE heavyweight)

Play Grade: I consider all aspects of an albums condition and grading to be highly important and I place particular emphasis on the quality of the audio delivery; superior audio performance is, above all, the main reasons for listening to vinyl. For this reason I have decided to extend my play grade to rate separately how ‘clearly’ and ‘cleanly’ the sound is received. It is quite possible with vinyl to experience great ‘clarity’ and reality without the sound being exceptionally ‘clean’ - that’s ok with me, but it may not satisfy the audiophile. So, a NEAR MINT & NEAR MINT will be the best grade with VERY GOOD PLUS & VERY GOOD PLUS or better being highly satisfactory.

For CLARITY the audio from this vinyl grades: EXCELLENT TO PLUS

For CLEANLINESS the audio from this vinyl grades: NEAR EXCELLENT

Audio Performance: THIS HAS CLEARLY BEEN PLAYED FROM TIME TO TIME THROUGH THE YEARS BUT NOT VERY OFTEN AND CAREFULLY SO IT STILL CONTINUES TO DELIVER FIRST RATE AUDIO TODAY. PARLOPHONE PRESSINGS ARE LEGENDARY FOR THEIR LONGEVITY AND DURABILITY AND THIS VINYL PRODUCES A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE AUDIO PERFORMANCE OF GREAT QUALITY WHICH DOES CREDIT TO THE SUPERB SONGS AND MUSIC. THERE IS A LITTLE UNDERLYING LOW LEVEL SURFACE SOUND ON THE NON RECORDED AND QUIETER SECTIONS BUT NOTHING DISTRACTING INTRUSIVE – I FOUND IT DELIGHTFUL, ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE HEARD FOR A LONG TIME. I ALWAYS ASK VISITORS TO MY LISTINGS TO BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS SECTION AND THE GRADING IS BASED ENTIRELY ON MY PERSONAL OPINION AND AUDIO PERCEPTION BELONGS TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WITH VINYL CLARITY THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT TRANSITIONAL SURFACE SOUND WHICH IS INEVITABLE FROM THIS MEDIUM, EVEN WHEN NEW, AND OCCASIONALLY A LITTLE CRACKLE, WHICH IS OFTEN LIGHT STATIC, OR EVEN A RANDOM SOFT TICK - BUT THIS POWERFUL AND POTENT AUDIO, THE BEATLES AT THEIR BRILLIANT BEST ON A GREAT VINYL.

Other: A classic example of a classic album – this one is well worth serious interest.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS BY CLICKING ON THE ‘VIEW SELLERS OTHER ITEMS’ IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER BOX OF THIS LISTING - THANK YOU.

GENERAL NOTES

Thank you for visiting my listing. The section immediately above sets out information specific to the particular album / record offered in this listing. Below are some of my general comments about vinyl which you may want to browse through if you have time. Please feel free to email me with any related comments or observations; particularly if you have any reliable information which contradicts any of my descriptions as I am always interested in adding to my knowledge on this subject. When preparing my listings I use a combination of facts from reliable sources, more than forty years of personal experience and, occasionally, music industry anecdotes. Just a visual inspection of used vinyls is almost always misleading so I play grade every vinyl I offer, before listing, on a Project III deck fitted with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge down-force set at 17.5 mN (1.75 g), fitted with a first grade stylus which I renew at intervals according to manufacturers specification, through a manufacturers pre-set Rega Brio amplifier with sound delivered by Focal Chorus 706 loudspeakers, which is unforgiving where there are surface imperfections. If I think a vinyl will benefit from professional cleaning I use my ‘Moth’ RCM2, but I do not clean vinyls for the sake of it - many I offer for sale have had little use and although there can be slight contamination in the grooves, even when new, that is the original authentic sound. I believe in cleaning only when my ‘ear’ tells me that the audio performance has deteriorated by exposure over time and will obviously be returned closer to the original sound by cleaning. Although it is extremely rare, there can be a difference between my descriptions, and opinions, and an individual buyer’s expectations so I have a clearly stated Returns Policy for added reassurance which is detailed at the bottom of all my listings. In the unlikely event that you want to use this facility please read the details carefully first, and then contact me to agree the procedure. There really will never be a reason to have any problem with an item you purchase from me. Before bidding please take a careful look through my terms and conditions to avoid any misunderstandings.

First Issues, First Pressings & Originals: Please note that when I refer to a First Issue I mean that the evidence suggests that the album offered is from the first batch that was issued for commercial release in the country of origin stated in the listing. Where I state First Press I mean that based on a reasonable interpretation of the matrices and stamper codes the vinyl comes from the first batch pressed using that particular ‘mother’; these statements alone do not always mean that the vinyl is from the very first ’stamper’ ever made. However, where I state First Issue and First Press it is likely that the album offered includes one (or more) of the early vinyl(s) produced in the country of origin from the first ‘mother(s)’ and early ‘stamper(s)’. Original means that the record bears the first label design for that particular pressing and, in the case of the cover, it is from the first cover manufacturer for that pressing; the label and / or cover may have very slight changes, if they were made within the first production run or, if the album was issued with an ‘in run’ label change or choice of cover designs or colours on first release, but in these cases I will try and explain the differences. This is not an exact science and anomalies will occur where I may make a mistake but I believe this will not happen very often - if it does then all of my buyers have the unequivocal reassurance of my Comprehensive Returns Policy.

My definition of a rare vinyl: Generally there is agreement that to qualify for the description rare there should not be too many of the type offered, available on the market at the time. With my listings that will be the main criterion however I will also occasionally claim rarity based on excellence of condition, or some other key feature, or an accompanying item such as an insert, which is not often found with similar vinyls.

UK first and early pressings: In many cases inexperienced sellers claim first pressing status without knowledge or evidence in the hope of achieving high prices – experienced buyers will know better and avoid those offers. Of course with the more popular huge selling albums, where the record companies were fairly sure of major sales from the outset, there were many first pressings. Also, in cases where demand was sustained or emerging the first press run was maintained over an extended release period; in other cases the first press run was specific. Generally the lower the numbers in the matrices and stamper codes on the vinyl ‘run off’ areas, on both sides of a record, the earlier the pressing therefore ‘A1’ & ‘B1’ are most often first or early pressings, but there are variants and exceptions to the rule. The most notable ones, for example where the ‘1’ matrix was only used for test, promo or industry pressings so the commercial releases started at ‘2’ or even higher, and there are a few more observations which are worth noting. There are low numbered matrices which belong to second and even third pressings (in these cases the record companies gave similar numbers to the first press of a re-issue) you can normally identify these by, examining the labels which are often different in texture and/or design, and by checking the weight of the record as the earlier pressings were normally heavier. Sometimes different symbols were used in the matrices; these may indicate an earlier pressing, a contract pressing or just simply a change of format. For example some records have A61 & B61 others A // 1 & B // 1 others A-1 & B-1 and so on. In these cases the mother and stamper references can help with establishing the proximity of an individual record to the original recording – each different record company had their own coding system, some using letters from words to indicate numbers, others just using numbers. Better known examples include GRAMOPHLTD & BUCKINGHAM – used by EMI and DECCA respectively. Occasionally there are high numbers on first pressings, but this is unusual. Other points to note are the manufacturer of the ‘cover’ or ‘outer sleeve’ and various characteristics or design variants. The ‘inner sleeve’ or ‘bag’ can also be an indicator. However it is not wise to rely on details beyond the matrices and labels as the covers and sleeves can easily be interchanged. ‘Made Up’, Swapped’ or ‘Doctored’ sets are not uncommon, particularly with high value albums which have inserts and special text, so the best advice is to try and make sure that everything matches the criteria thus eliminating most of the risk (a good look at the photographs on the listing, if they are of the actual item offered as they are on all of my listings, is always advisable – hopefully the sellers will also include the ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ photograph facility which only costs pennies to include and it remains a mystery to me as to why many avoid this service?). As a general rule I suggest that you don’t pay hundred’s or thousands of pounds unless you are buying from a reliable source who provide you with comprehensive information and have a clearly stated ‘Returns Policy’ - or unless you’ve got money to throw away (and in that case there are any number of far more deserving charities)

Audio reproduction on vinyl: In my experience there is always an element of surface or background sound with audio reproduction on vinyl, even when new - very hard to imagine how there could not be when two solid surfaces come into contact with each other and are then amplified! In my opinion anybody who claims there is no surface sound, or ‘silence’, is hard of hearing, has not turned the amplifier on, or is using very poor quality audio equipment. Almost all used vinyl has at least light surface scratches which are always visible when viewed under a bright halogen light - which is what I use for inspection. So if you are uncomfortable with a bit of light crackling it’s probably best not to buy vinyl. In my opinion the light surface sound is more than compensated for by the clarity and ‘reality’ of the overall sound reproduction. I listen carefully to every album I list, before listing it for sale.

Please Note: All of this comment contained in this listing is subjective, it is based only on my opinion and your expectations may not necessarily correspond with my standards. If you receive an album from me and you have some differences please remember to use reasonable communication as a first option. I have a comprehensive non confrontational ‘Returns Policy’ which is clearly set out below and providing there is no abuse, or use the negative feedback system, I will always reimburse you in full for your direct costs if you return the album correctly.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

DESCRIPTIONS: Are given in good faith, but they are based on my opinion and standards.  Bidders should note that they offer at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information about the item before they enter the bidding process.  Please ask questions before you become involved with the auction, NOT afterwards! Where I list sizes/dimensions they are either as stated on the item/label by the supplier/manufacturer or reasonably accurately hand tape measured; however, they are not necessarily precise, should be taken as approximate and not relied upon where absolute precision is required. This clause does not in any way affect your rights under the terms of my ‘Returns Policy’, it is stated to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to both parties.

INFORMATION: Whilst I take care to try and provide accurate information on the original listing it is possible that new information may become available to me afterwards. I therefore strongly recommend that all bidders read any revisions and the ongoing questions / answers section of the listing before bidding as they may contain updated information which could affect your valuation of the item(s). In the event that new information is published, after the time you have become the high bidder, which adversely affects your valuation of the item(s) and you wish to withdraw from the bidding process please email your request and I will use the cancel bid option with no ongoing liability to any of the parties involved in the auction.

PHOTOGRAPHS: All photographs contained within this listing show the actual item (s) offered – they are not catalogue, archive or library photographs.  Furthermore they are direct images and not re-touched or modified in any way. I try to make good and comprehensive use of images on the listing in order to give the prospective bidder the best opportunity to evaluate the item(s); however it is possible that in some circumstances the photographs can enhance the appearance of the item(s) due to compression so please take this into account before bidding and do not hesitate to ask for more images or information which I am happy to send by attachment to email. This is particularly recommended with overseas buyers where returns are often not a viable option.  

OVERSEAS BUYERS WELCOME: I am pleased to deal with buyers from anywhere in the world. My method of LP packaging reduces the risk to your valuable vinyls & covers in transit. Makes no sense to me to buy something important and then play a ‘high risk of damage game’ when having it shipped around the world – I hope you feel the same. I will only dispatch using a fully insured Signed-for delivery service; if this is not acceptable please do not bid on any of my listings.

PACKING & POSTAGE:  Vinyl’s are removed from covers and placed in separate transit sleeves. All components are then placed side by side in a polythene inner for extra safety and water resistance and then secured between two corrugated card stiffeners. I use Heavy Duty Mailers Specifically Designed for Vinyl Albums, which provide excellent security and protection, in conjunction with my own Ultra Safe reinforced sealing and packaging method. Internally I use 2 of the highest grade ‘B’ flute corrugated card stiffeners to prevent bending, deformation or edge/corner creasing. Packing & postage prices are NOT negotiable on items dispatched individually or separately. However, if you are a similar time multiple buyer where all items purchased are being sent to the same address and they can be combined safely, you can ask for a discounted quotation before bidding. As stated in the previous paragraph for overseas deliveries I will also only dispatch to UK destinations using a fully insured Signed-for delivery service; if this is not acceptable please do not bid on any of my listings.

Postal insurance is subject to Royal Mail Standard Terms & Conditions. Quotations for other insurance such as premiums to cover non-standard risks or consequential losses are available on request.

PAYMENT: For Buyers WITHIN the UK: PayPal, or Pound sterling cheques / money orders, with minimum 7 days to clear before despatch.

PAYMENT: For Buyers OUTSIDE of the UK: Payments by PayPal only please.

CANCELLATION: The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid, entirely at his discretion and without giving prior notice, in the following circumstances:

They have reason to believe that the bidder has not complied with the terms of their offer as set out on the listing.

The bidder’s feedback is of such limited quantity that it cannot be regarded as reliable.

The bidder’s feedback is of dubious quality and/or gives the seller any indication or reason to doubt the credibility of the bid.

MY FEEDBACK POLICY: I leave feedback for buyers after they inform me that they have received the item(s) and have left me their feedback. As I have a clearly stated Returns Policy, which does not expose the buyer to any direct loss whatsoever, I see no reason for either side to indulge in negative feedback. Providing the buyer does not engage in threats, abuse or use of negative feedback I will resolve any problem in a fair and reasonable way. If you have a problem or complaint about any transaction you have made with me contact me on somemightsell_e@btinternet.com and we will find a solution that is acceptable to you.

SUPERSIZED PHOTOGRAPHS: I have super-sized the photographs above to provide prospective bidders with the best opportunity to make their valuation before entering the bidding process, please just click on the ‘Zoom or Enlarge’ and arrows to use this facility. Sometimes due to reflection these images can appear slightly distorted, ‘graining’ can appear and dust particles can be exaggerated by the light - in reality there are no defects of this kind.