THE BEATLES A Collection Of Beatles Oldies (Very rare 1971-73 UK issue of the 1966 16-track album with 'Gramophone Co' black & silver labels, UK printed front laminated picture sleeve. This extremely strange label variant is suspected to be an early seventies overseas contract pressing, possibly an early trial by Pathé Marconi in France. What makes this release so unusual is that the later contract pressings of the 1973 period had labels printed with 'Made In France' & 'EMI Records' label text. This release, however, retains the earlier 'Gramophone Co' label text, but has had the 'Made In Gt Britain' text at the bottom of the label overprinted in the same silver as is used on the rest of the label. This indicates that the labels were, like the sleeve, originally supplied from the UK. We know nothing more about this release apart from the fact that we have never seen one before, so it's obviously not very common. A very unusual label variant that even Bruce Spizer does not list, in pristine near 'as new' condition, still with the original price reduction sticker attached! PCS7016)