Beatles John Lennon Imagine 1971 Factory Sample Ex+

	£		67
	$		88

John Lennon Album "IMAGINE" ORIGINAL 1971 UK 1st Pressing "Factory Sample"!!!!

Released on the 8th October 1971!!!! This entered the charts on the 30th October 1971 where it  reached the Number 1 slot and stayed in the charts for a total of Eighty Five weeks!!!!

This was the Sixth official EMI release by John Lennon!!!!!

This Recording was by John: Vocals, Guitar and Piano, Klaus Voorman: Bass, George Harrison: Guitar, Alan White and Jim Keltner: Drums, John had also a few Other friends help him with this recording so I won't list them All!!!!

This album was Credited to "JOHN LENNON AND THE PLASTIC ONO BAND WITH THE FLUX FIDDLERS" And Produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Phil Spector!!!!

Recording started on the 23rd June 1971 in John's studios in "Tittenhurst Park" which he named "Ascot Sound Studios", and was completed by the 27th July 1971!!!! There were also three further Tracks recorded during these sessions and they were "San Fransisco Bay Blues" (never released), "Aisumasen" (an early demo for the "Mind Games" album) and "I'm The Greatest" (this song was given to Ringo)!!!!

The Strings on the album (the "Flux Fiddlers"), and some Overdubs by "King Curtis" were added in New York at the "Record Plant" studios on the 4th/5th July 1971!!!!

The Cover design and Photography was by Yoko!!!! First issue copies included the the "Printed Inner Sleeve"  (please see my pictures), which printed the "Credits" and full "Lyrics"!!!! There was also a large "Poster" 33'x22' of John at his White "Grand Piano" taken by Peter Fordham!!!! And a small "Postcard" which depicted John holding a Pig!!!! This was Yet another dig at Paul, being a parody of his "Ram" cover snap!!!! Listening to the track "How Do You Sleep?" lets you actually Feel the pain of John and Paul's very public Fall Out!!!!

The record Label on the A: Side has a picture of John's head with the Track info, while the B :Side has a pale white "Apple" also showing the Track info!!!!

First issue Sleeves should also have what is known as a "Pinched" Spine!!!! This is where the Top and Bottom ends of the Spine are actually "Pinched" together. I will do my BEST to picture one ( though as you can see taking pictures is Not my forte)!!!!

The Run Out Groove should also have "Porky" etched on one side and "Pecko" on the other!!!!       

Obviously this "Recording" is NOT one of John's "Rarest" Albums to Locate!!!! However what makes this a Very Collectable item is the "Factory Sample" sticker on the Label and the Condition!!!! As well as the Extras!!!!

Factory Samples were as a rule used on only 500 records off the Press!!!! These were intended for "Radio Disc Jockeys", "Record Executives", "Record Reviewers", "Record Shops" and "EMI Employees", to help Promote the sales of each record!!!! These were NOT FOR SALE and should not have got to the General Public!!!!

There are "Four" different types of Factory Sample Stickers"!!!! Type A: This is the First variation seen on The Beatles discs, and was in use from 1962 until around 1970. Type B: This is the Second variation, common from around 1970/1. Type C: This is the Third variation, common form around 1971 until roughly 1974. Type D: Fourth variation first starting to appear on some "Two Box LP's Sets" in 1974!!!! 

The Matrix, Mother and Stampers are:

Side One: YEX-865-1U. On the run out grooves are the letters AG and the number 4. The name Porky is etched to this side.

Side Two: YEX-866-1U. On the run out grooves are the letters OL and the number 2. The name Pecko is etched to this side. 

CONDITION OF VINYL:

The Centre Labels to both sides are in "Superb" condition. Though when held up to a very strong light there are Minimal signs of Spindal Marks present to both sides but NONE that even remotely spoil their look!!!! They are both Spotless and Clean and all the lettering is Perfect with no signs of Rubbing!!!!

The "Factory Sample" sticker is on Side: One:!!!!

The Vinyl still retains that Gloosy Look and has clearly been Very Well looked after which is reflected in the playback. There are one or two "Tiny" marks showing on the Vinyl when held up to a bright light (though these have been caused by handling). There are no Pops, Clicks or Jumps anywhere!!!!!!!! I play graded this on a Linn LP12 Sondek through a Linn System (which is very unforgiving). The Playback was "Superb"!!!! The record lays perfectly Flat with no Warping!!!!

Overall the Labels and Vinyl must grade as at least Excellent++!!!!

CONDITION OF SLEEVE:

The Vinyl is housed in it's ORIGINAL and correct Pinched Edged "Apple Company Sleeve"!!!! Which is in overall "Very Good" condition!!!! There are no Laminate Lifts or Creases (apart from some light Creases to each of the 4 corners)!!!! The Opening Edges are Straight and Flat (though it is a little Worn and Yellowed to the Front)!!!! The "Pinched" Spine is Complete and Intact!!!!

I would grade the Sleeve as Very Good/Very Good+!!!!!

CONDITION OF INNER:

The "White" Inner Lyric Sheet has no Rips, Tears or Writing anywhere!!!! All that is really wrong with it is that through time it has Aged and Yellowed a little!!!!

I would grade the Inner as Very Good++!!!!

CONDITION OF POSTCARD:

This has sadly been Displayed as each corner has a Pin Hole!!!!there is a small Crease across the centre!!!! There are no Rips, Tears or Writing to be seen!!!!

I would grade the Postcard as Very Good!!!!

THE POSTER: This has NEVER been displayed so there are no unwanted Pin or Tape marks!!!! There are no Rips, Tears or Writing to be seen!!! Apart from it's normal Folding Creases and a tiny Yellow Spot under John's microphone I can see Nothing wrong with it!!!!

I would grade the Poster as Excellent!!!!

So here we have a Brilliant, Rare and Original UK John Lennon 1st Pressing of his "Sixth" album with a  "Factory Sample" + Extras in overall "Excellent" condition!!!!

Should the winning bidder NOT be happy with either the item or my description I will offer a FULL money back gaurantee, providing the item reaches me in EXACTLY the same condition it left me in!!!!

I WILL accept first time bidders as everyone has to start somewhere!!!!

Any questions Please ask as they WILL be answered!!!!

HAPPY BIDDING!!!!