Beatles, The - The Beatles 1962-1966 - Apple - Contract Pressing LP LP x 2 Special Cover - 60s Beat Pop Rock

rare France contract pressing

2 LP in gatefold laminated outers cover with original angled inner lyric sleeves

Matrix #:s Record 1: M6 292541   8 (hand scratched)   0 53 07 A 21   and    M6 292542   4 (hand scratched)   0 53 07 B 21   YEX 906

 Record 2: M6 292543   YEX 907 (hand scratched)   0 53 08 A 21   and   M6 292544    0 53 09 A 21  6 (hand scratched)   YEX 908 (stamped)

Some strange matrices there ! Definitely NO YEX 905 on side 1 disc 1 !  Very strange !?

Cover: Gatefold - Laminated outer/With producer credit on inner gatefold (see other listings for variation) and...

'Made in France' cover sticker (inside gatefold)-Condition - EX-   with long edge creases (1 from top and 1 from bottom edge) and some minor edge creases

Original angled cut lyric inners in VG+ condition except 1 has large split in bottom and 2 small tears on open edge and creased corner and tiny surface tear on 2nd inner/a very difficult item to get mint as there are various problems including the seam splits but also the open edge gets damaged (these are almost perfect)

The problem with these early angled inners is that they were very tight and tended to get jammed on the way in causing the various bits of damage.

Labels are clean crisp and clear  with a different typeface and layout for the rim wording to the UK pressed issue although 'Mfd. in UK' remains on the label in the usual place-in fact EMI have clearly sent pre-printed labels or the template forgetting that it said 'Mfd in UK' !

Discs: EX  and  EX-   some minor scuffs

Spine: EX+   lettering clear crisp and intact with very minor wear on the top and bottom corners

See other listings for many other variations !!

Issued as part of the 2nd pressing cover issue when UK plant was short of capacity or raw materials (being in the middle of the oil crisis !)

Very short-lived pressing with original angled inners