Artist: The Beatles Title: Hey Jude Label: Apple Records – SW-385 Country: USA Year: 1970–1971 (First U.S. Pressing) Format: Vinyl LP, factory-sealed original U.S. shrink Genre: Rock / Pop Rock DESCRIPTION Original first American pressing of Hey Jude, manufactured by Apple Records shortly after the album’s U.S. release. This copy is 100% factory-sealed, wrapped in authentic early-70s American shrink with characteristic heat-weld patterns and corner folds used by Capitol/Apple pressing plants between 1970–1971. The jacket features the iconic Tittenhurst Park photography, printed by Apple’s early U.S. contractor. The rear cover displays the original song lineup and the correct Apple layout, including the early circular “Printed in U.S.A.” stamp and the thick serif catalog number “APPLE SW-385” positioned at the right edge. The cover uses the original early-production method: the front photograph is printed on a separate slick and mounted on heavy black U.S. board — a feature exclusive to the first wave of U.S. editions. A rare archival-grade sealed survivor of one of the most recognizable Beatles U.S. albums. CONDITION Sleeve: Factory Sealed (Mint) Original U.S. shrink fully intact Authentic early-70s shrink characteristics: feathered heat marks, vertical weld lines, tight corner folds No promo cuts, no holes, no saw marks Thick early Apple/Capitol cardboard (not the later thin 1978–80 stock) Sharp spine with clean printing Clean edges, minimal storage wear from 50+ years of shelf life Vinyl: Mint (Sealed – never opened) NOTES This is not a reissue, not a 1978 purple Capitol, not a Columbia House club edition. Fully matches all identifiers of the first U.S. Apple pressing, 1970–1971. Extremely rare in sealed condition. High-collectible copy suitable for grading, archival storage, or investment. MATRIX / LABELS Since the record is factory sealed, the exact runout and label variation cannot be confirmed without opening the shrink. However, based on jacket construction, shrink style, and typography, the inside vinyl is consistent with: Early Apple Records U.S. labels (dark Apple with “MFD. BY APPLE RECORDS, INC.” rim text) Pressings from Jacksonville, Los Angeles, or Scranton plants (first-wave manufacturers for SW-385) Opening the LP would expose matrix numbers from one of these plants, but doing so eliminates sealed status and collector value.