Abbey Road

Artist: The Beatles

Label & Catalog Number:

Apple Records – PCS 7088 (stereo)

Made in U.K.

Mfd. in U.K. printed on labels

Label Features:

• Green Apple label on Side 1, sliced Apple on Side 2

• “An EMI Recording” credit present

• No “Her Majesty” listed on the sleeve or label

• “33⅓” RPM printed on both sides

• All perimeter print in white

• “Produced by George Martin” credit present

Deadwax / Matrix Information:

• Side A: YEX 749-5, stamper code: “2”

• Side B: YEX 750-4, stamper code: “4”

This pressing is not from the first lacquer cuttings, which ended at -2 for YEX 749 and -1 for YEX 750. This copy is from later lacquer cuts but still part of the early 1970s production run on UK Apple Records.

Provenance:

• BBC Gramophone Library copy, indicated by official stickers on both front and rear sleeves and archival catalog numbers.

Condition Notes (based on photos):

• Sleeve: G+ (Visible edge wear, spine wear, corner wear, and creasing, but artwork is intact) tape damage to front cover

• Vinyl: Appears VG+ to EX based on visible sheen and lack of major blemishes. Some scuffing and spindle wear expected. Playback quality would ultimately determine grading.

Notable Historical Features:

• Later pressings with YEX 749-5 / YEX 750-4 are known for slightly different EQ and dynamics compared to earlier cuts.

• The BBC Gramophone Library sticker adds archival and cultural value due to the limited number of these copies circulated and used for official broadcast purposes.

This copy of The Beatles’ Abbey Road with matrix numbers YEX 749-5 and YEX 750-4 was most likely pressed between 1973 and 1976 in the UK.

Here’s how we know:

• The original UK first pressing (1969) typically had matrix numbers YEX 749-2 / YEX 750-1.

• Matrix -5 / -4 cuts appeared during the early-to-mid 1970s as EMI continued pressing the album in response to ongoing demand.

• The Apple label design on this copy is consistent with early to mid-70s UK Apple pressings—still using the original layout with “An EMI Recording” and without later 1978-era perimeter text changes.

• The BBC Gramophone Library acquisition of many LPs peaked in the 1970s, especially for staple albums like Abbey Road.

So while it’s not a first pressing, it’s still an early-to-mid 1970s UK Apple pressing with broadcast provenance.

1/6/2026