The Beatles - Let It Be (1970 Apple Records UK First Pressing)

When the Beatles released Let It Be in May 1970, few could have predicted just how valuable certain pressings of that album would become. The last studio album the band released before their official break-up, Let It Be carries enormous emotional and historical weight. For collectors, the original UK Apple Records pressing stands as one of the most sought-after Beatles vinyl issues, and tracking one down in excellent condition is both a thrill and a genuine challenge.

The Original Release Context

Released on May 8, 1970 in the United Kingdom, Let It Be appeared on the Apple Records label (catalogue number PCS 7096 for stereo, PXS 1 for the special boxed edition). Apple Records was the Beatles' own label, launched in 1968, and by 1970 it was fully operational with its distinctive green apple label on one side and red apple label on the other.

The album itself had a famously tortured birth. Originally conceived as the "Get Back" project in January 1969, it was meant to document the band returning to its roots, recording live in front of cameras. The sessions were difficult and fractious. Phil Spector was later brought in to mix the recordings, adding orchestration that famously upset Paul McCartney. The resulting album captured the band at a crossroads, and its music reflects both genuine greatness (the title track, "The Long and Winding Road," "Get Back," "Let It Be") and the tensions of a group falling apart.

Identifying the First UK Pressing

Knowing what you have is the first step. Here are the key identifiers for the original Apple UK pressing:

Label details:

• Side 1: Green apple label (the whole apple, also called "Sliced Apple" by some collectors)

• Side 2: Red apple label (sliced to show the interior)

• The label reads "Apple Records" with the Parlophone/EMI logo

• Matrix/run-out etchings: Side 1 should read "YEX 773-1" (or similar first pressing code), Side 2 "YEX 774-1"

• Always check for "Side 1" text printed clearly on the green label

Sleeve details:

• First pressings came with the original gatefold sleeve

• The famous Ethan Russell/Tom Hanley photographs inside

• Print code on the back sleeve indicates pressing era

• The standard PCS 7096 version had a plain gatefold (not the PXS 1 boxed set)

The PXS 1 Boxed Edition: A special limited version (PXS 1) was released simultaneously with a large fold-out photo book of the Let It Be sessions by Ethan Russell, a large print, and the vinyl. This boxed set commands a significant premium over the standard pressing and is considerably rarer.

The Different Pressing Variants

Variant	Catalogue Number	Notes	Approximate Value (VG+/EX)
Standard UK Stereo	PCS 7096	Green/Red Apple labels	$150-400
Special Boxed Edition	PXS 1	Includes book and print	$500-1,500+
Demo/Promo White Label	PCS 7096	Extremely rare	$1,000+
Export pressings	Various	Made for non-UK markets	$80-200

Reading the Matrix Numbers

Matrix numbers are stamped or hand-etched into the dead wax (the area between the last groove and the label). They tell the pressing story:

• YEX 773-1 / YEX 774-1: First pressing matrices. The single-digit "1" suffix indicates the earliest cut.

• YEX 773-2 / YEX 774-2: Second pressing, still Apple era but slightly later cut

• YEX 773-3 and beyond: Later pressings

Machined-in matrix numbers suggest a later pressing. Hand-etched numbers (sometimes with additional comments from the cutting engineer) indicate earlier, more desirable pressings. Engineers at EMI's Abbey Road studios sometimes added their own marks, and these personal touches add collector interest.

Condition Grading and What It Means for Value

Grade	Description	Typical Value (PCS 7096)
Mint (M) / Sealed	Unplayed, original shrink wrap	$600-1,200
Near Mint (NM/M-)	Nearly perfect, minimal handling marks	$300-500
Excellent/VG+	Light surface marks, plays perfectly	$150-280
Very Good (VG)	Some surface noise, visible light scratches	$60-120
Good/G	Plays through but noticeable noise	$20-40

For the PXS 1 boxed set, multiply these figures by roughly 3 to 5 times, and condition of the book and print matters significantly. A boxed set with the record in NM condition but a damaged book will still command strong prices, but a complete set with all elements in excellent condition can exceed $1,500 at auction.

What to Look for When Buying

Original sleeve: The sleeve should show appropriate aging for a 1970 album but not water damage or heavy seam splits. Check the spine carefully, as this is usually the first place to show wear.

The vinyl itself: Hold the record at an angle under a strong light. Early pressings were made on high-quality vinyl compound. First pressings feel heavier and sound noticeably better than later budget pressings. Any original Apple UK pressing should feel substantial.

The labels: Original Apple labels are paper with no laminate sheen. They should be firmly adhered with no lifting or writing. Label condition matters for both aesthetics and value.

Completeness for PXS 1: If buying the boxed set, insist on seeing all components. The Ethan Russell book (often titled "Get Back" or similar) is beautiful but fragile. The print should show no foxing or creasing.

Common Pitfalls and Fakes

Fortunately, outright fakes of Beatles pressings are less common than with some other valuable records, but there are pitfalls:

Reissues masquerading as originals: Parlophone reissued Let It Be multiple times in the 1970s and beyond. Later pressings use the same catalogue number (PCS 7096) but have different matrix suffixes and, after Apple's demise, reverted to the standard Parlophone label (the familiar yellow-and-black). Always check the label.

Replaced sleeves: Dealers sometimes pair an original record with a replacement sleeve from a later pressing. Compare the sleeve print quality and any date codes carefully.

The "Red Apple" label confusion: Some collectors confuse the original Apple label (with the whole apple on side 1 and sliced apple on side 2) with the later variant that has the same whole/sliced format but on a slightly different shade or paper stock. The original labels have a specific warm red tone that later pressings replicate but not always perfectly.

The 2009 Remaster and Beyond

The 2009 remastered stereo box set brought Let It Be back into wide circulation on CD, and a 2021 remix by Giles Martin was released to coincide with the Peter Jackson documentary of the same name. These modern versions are audiophile-quality listening, but they carry no collector value compared to original pressings. The 2021 vinyl reissue on Apple/Universal is an excellent record to own for listening, but it is categorically different from an original 1970 pressing.

Where to Find and Buy

Discogs.com: The go-to marketplace for collectors. You can filter by pressing, country, and condition. Pay attention to seller ratings and always read the full listing notes. Discogs's database entry for PCS 7096 shows historical sales data that helps calibrate current fair prices.

Specialist dealers: UK-based vinyl specialists often have access to original Apple pressings. Dealers with a genuine Beatles specialization can properly verify what they're selling.

Record fairs: In-person buying lets you inspect the record before purchase. The larger UK and US record fairs regularly have dealers with Apple-era Beatles material.

Heritage Auctions and similar: For the PXS 1 boxed set or truly exceptional copies, specialist music memorabilia auctions are worth watching.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Original UK Apple pressings of Let It Be have shown consistent appreciation over decades. The album is historically significant, sonically important (the Apple-era pressings genuinely sound better than most reissues), and emotionally resonant for generations of music fans. The PXS 1 boxed set in particular represents a true artifact of pop culture history.

For anyone building a Beatles collection, the original PCS 7096 in VG+ or better condition represents excellent value at current prices. It's still accessible to intermediate collectors in a way that, say, an original Please Please Me black-and-gold Parlophone first pressing is not.

That said, condition is everything. A Let It Be in poor condition is a disappointment on every level. Hold out for at least VG+ vinyl with a sleeve that still looks presentable.

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