Offered is an incredible display piece created with the original factory-used metal "mother" plates for the production of the 2006 limited edition vinyl record release of The Beatles LP Abbey Road. The plaque on the display gives a brief description of the nature of the production artifacts presented:
The Beatles "Abbey Road" Original Playable Metal "Mother" Mastering Plates used in the Production of the Capitol Records Limited Edition Vinyl Record Album Re-Issue, S-543379 464666, Recorded at Abbey Road/EMI..Olympic...and Trident Studios...London Originally Released 1969.
The diagram at right is presented below the text, and it is an excellent primer on where the mother plates fit in the production of vinyl records. Copies of sides A & B of the record's positive metal "mothers" were produced from the "master" discs for duplicating the metal stamping dies (the stamper) for the record pressing machines to produce the finished vinyl records. See the diagram at right for a visual explanation of the process. That these mother plates exist at all is special because most mothers and stampers used in production were recycled to reclaim the precious and expensive nickel. Beyond that, many mothers are destroyed in the process of creating the stampers, but the limited nature of this pressing left these in great shape. Very few survived the rigorous manufacturing process in such pristine condition.
Producer George Martin returned for recording of Abbey Road on the condition that The Beatles adhere to the discipline of their earlier records. They found the album's recording more enjoyable than the preceding Get Back sessions, but personal issues still permeated the band. This was their final studio record, and in the opinion of many Beatle fans their finest LP. The track listing is a tour de force of creative output, including "Come Together", "Something", "Here Comes the Sun", "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" and "Golden Slumbers". The offered display is a fitting celebration of one of the greatest albums of all time. The metal mothers both measure 12 3/8 inches in diameter, and the framed display measures 29 ¼ x 23 ¼ inches. Near Mint to Mint condition.