Beatles - Help! (UK) – RARE 1969 Last Yellow/Black Parlophone – -1/-1 Stereo – EX Vinyl - LP - 1969

A particularly attractive and scarce 1969 UK stereo pressing of Help!, representing the final yellow-and-black Parlophone issue produced immediately before EMI introduced the new one-box label design. This short-lived variation was manufactured only during the latter part of 1969, making it considerably less commonly encountered than the standard 1965 yellow-and-black stereo pressing.

The labels retain the classic black-and-yellow Parlophone design with "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." perimeter text, but importantly, the earlier "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS" statement has now disappeared. This combination is characteristic of the final yellow-and-black Parlophone production period. By November 1969, Parlophone had begun replacing this famous label design with the new black-and-silver one-box EMI label.

Remarkably, despite being issued several years after the album's original 1965 release, this short-lived 1969 pressing still uses the original -1/-1 stereo lacquers. The mother and stamper details are particularly attractive, with both sides pressed from the third mother, representing strong production credentials from this final pressing run.

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Sleeve (VG+):
The original laminated stereo sleeve remains structurally sound and presents very nicely. There is some age-related yellowing to the front and rear, but the artwork remains clean and attractive overall. Importantly, the spine remains fully readable. There are only modest signs of handling and age, leaving the sleeve as a solid VG+ example.

Inner Sleeve:
Original inner sleeve included.

Labels:
The yellow-and-black Parlophone labels remain very clean and attractive, displaying the final 1969 label configuration with THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. perimeter text and absence of the earlier resale price conditions statement.

Vinyl (EX):
A particularly clean example. The vinyl retains a beautiful deep gloss with only a very small number of fine superficial hairlines visible under strong light. There is virtually no noticeable playwear and no deep or distracting marks. Overall a genuinely strong EX record.

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Details
* UK stereo pressing, 1969 final yellow-and-black Parlophone issue
* Parlophone PCS 3071
* Original -1/-1 stereo matrices
* Yellow-and-black Parlophone labels (final configuration, without resale price conditions text)
* Stereo designation
* Original inner sleeve included

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Matrix / Stampers
* YEX 168-1 / YEX 169-1
* Mother / Stampers: 3 OM / 3 PL