THE BEATLES/HEY JUDE CPCS 106 (-70) NEW ZEALAND

 

 When it comes to The Beatles I can't resist any affordable original variation, no matter how many already sharing space with their likes on the shelf. This is my fourth "Hey Jude", after the Brazil mono, the UK Apple export and the US "Beatles Again" (see earlier posts). A New Zealand press on Apple/HMV which seems to be some kind of export hybrid. The label, sleeve and dark brown inner is NZ, while the CPCS 106 record number and the stamped matrix numbers -  YEEX 150-1/YEEX 151-1 - indicate a UK export. Also notice "Paperback Writer" is spelled "Paper Back Writer" on label. The audio is smashing - big, wide and very ear pleasing. But what really turns me on is the laminated sleeve, having rear with green background surrounded by a black three-flap flip-back.  The most aesthetic HJ package I've seen so far.  I didn't even know the variation existed before I picked this copy from a bin a while ago, so maybe there are many more tickling varieties out there waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. And if any such should show up in the future and economy allows it will probably be a must have too.   (ÄPLÄ*)  (BÄ*)  (LGÅ*)  (DÖW*)  (ÖXÄP*) (HÄI*)