Bohemian Rhapsody 7″ vinyl Test Pressing

October 16th 1975.  Bohemian Rhapsody. Die hard vinyl collectors know that the very early test pressings of records came in two separate vinyls, one for each side of a single or LP. The matching white standard covers were usually marked with the matrix numbers written on it. But beside this you also find a date, which was the date the record was actually pressed for test purposes.
On the picture you see the original Bohemian Rhapsody 1 sided 7″ test pressing with its matching “I’m in Love with My Car” cover and vinyl. These one sided test pressings were pressed in very few quantities and given to band members and management to check quality before authorizing the run of the pressing of the copies to be released.

This special copy is so unique as it was Freddie’s; it was then given to Jim Hutton, his last partner. It also has Freddie’s handwriting on the label of the A side. He “just” wrote Bohemian Rhapsody. I can’t imagine how happy he was to finally see his creation ready to conquer the music world!!

And in the above picture the USA Elektra original 7″ vinyl test pressing of Bohemian Rhapsody, printed on Dec. 3rd 1975.

This piece was part of “Keep On Rockin’ – the 2019 Exhibition.” Below are photographs from the exhibition display, alongside the original write-up.

This was the actual pressing-plant test copy given to Freddie himself, so he could check that the vinyl cut of his song was exactly right before it went to press. It comes with a handwritten letter from Jim Hutton describing its provenance — Freddie had given it to him as a gift.