This is the 1st pressing of The Beatles album Help and can be identified as such by the matrix numbers and the small print “The Beatles” on both sides of the centre labels as well as the KT tax code.
The Matrix numbers are:
Side 1: XEX 549-2
Side 2: XEX 550-2
Vinyl Condition:
Side 1: There are a fair few light surface marks but doesn’t really distract from how clean the vinyl is.
Side 2: The condition is similar to side one, however there are a few white marks on the outside track as can be seen in the last photo. Also a more noticeable scratch near the same location as the white marks also visible in the photo but this is still a surface mark and not a deep scratch. No deep scratches on either side.
Overall the LP is very clean and I have play tested it on my Rega Planar 3 after cleaning it on a project VCS and the sound quality is excellent and plays clean.
Sleeve Condition:
The sleeve is in excellent condition and very clean, minor creasing’s here and there to the laminate but nothing significant. The rear cover is also very clean, to the right of George Harrisons picture there is the faintest pencil marking of a previous owner ‘G. Harris’ but this is so faint it is hardly noticeable (refer to picture 9). Overall the sleeve is an excellent copy.
