HELP! LP, THE BEATLES,RARE FIRST STEREO PRESSING,1965

Sold Date: May 3, 2015
Start Date: April 26, 2015
Final Price: £48.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 17
Seller Feedback: 113
Buyer Feedback: 312


This rarity is a first UK stereo pressing (1965) of ‘HELP!’ in EX* (Excellent) condition. In the age of the ubiquitous ‘Dansette’ few people had stereo record players, so stereo pressings were done  in much lower numbers. Matrices: YEX 168-1, YEX 169-1. I think the stampers are: 11 O and 11 L. It comes with an ‘Emitex’ inner.  

The stereo record plays clearly and forcefully with no noticeable background sound, and does not appear to have been overly played. The surfaces of the disc are almost pristine, save for a scuff mark over the last track on side 2 which is completely non-sounding. There are no sounding scratches. The disc has been played in its entirety, carefully assessed on a Rega RP1 deck, and rates comfortably as EX.*  

The Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve  looks terrific and easily rates EX* condition, snow white on the front white and unmarked on both sides with only very small areas of creasing on the shiny laminated front. The three rear ‘flipbacks’ are firm.  

The proceeds of this auction, in their entirety, will be donated to Oxfam.  

The record will be mailed in a heavy duty mailer.  

*In grading the record I use the Record Collector grading system.  

On 27-Apr-15 at 11:13:39 BST, seller added the following information:

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