The Beatles - Please Please Me
I am pleased to offer for sale this superb UK mono 1st pressing of The Beatles debut album, Please Please Me.
This particular copy is found on the highly sought aftr black and gold Parlophone labels. During the early stages of the production of the album, EMI changed the label design for their Parlophone imprint changing the Parlophone logo from gold lettering to yellow. Consequently, only a small number of the total sold feature the earliest black and gold label design.
Although extremely collectible as pieces of music memorabilia, and indeed social history, to the music fan and LP collector the black and gold first pressings are widely considered to have the best audio reproduction of any pressing. You can take a listen to the full audio of this album below
As with the majority of records of this era, the teenage audience that bought Beatles LPs were not as careful as they might have been when handling LPs as they weren t considered rare or collectible. They were taken to parties, kept outside of inner sleeves, left on counter tops, and, the worst culprit of all, played with a poor quality stylus. As a consequence, although there were literally thousands of copies sold, finding clean and original copies of the Beatles early catalogue in mono is extremely difficult.
This particular copy is a fantastic example all round. Visually the labels and vinyl surface are excellent, the audio is superb and other than a few tiny imperfections the sleeve looks as-new. As such, it represents a great opportunity to add that final upgrade copy to your collection
Album Details:
Serial number: PMC 1202
Matrix number: XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N
Stamper codes: 1 GP / 1 GA
Tax Codes: MT
Vinyl Weight: 170g
The -1N / -1N matrix numbers confirm that the record is a true UK first pressing. The mother codes communicate that both sides of the record were produced from the first mother plates. The stamper codes communicate that the first side was stamped using the 15th stamper plate and that side 2 was stamped using the 11th stamper plate suggesting that the record was one of the first few thousand produced in the factory.
The black labels with gold Parlophone logo and gold text are the first variant as is evident from the Dick James publishers credit for the titles A1, A2, A6, A7, B4 B5. Later variants credit these titles to the Northern Songs publishers group.
The front side laminated Ernest J Day Co sleeve is the first variant as is evident from the large sized, solid MONO aural indicator text printed to the top right hand corner of the front side the size changed for later variants and the position of the P in Photo Credit: Angus McBean underneath the S of 11 other Songs it was underneath the second G in Songs for all subsequent variants . Other identifiers to note are the rounded edged spine and cut-out flip-backs that can be seen to the reverse.
The album is complete with the original polythene lined die-cut Emitex protect your records inner sleeve. It is worth noting that the text PATENTS APPLIED FOR is printed to the front side in bold text although not well publicised, correct black gold 1st editions were only sold with this inner sleeve variant.
Condition Report:
The condition report provided below is given as a guide only. I include high-quality, comprehensive photographs as well as a complete audio recording in my listings to enable you to make an informed decision on the condition of this record yourself.
Disc: EXCELLENT
Labels: MINT -
The labels are clean and retain rich, vibrant colours. No spindle wear is evident around each unworn centre hole.
Visual: EXCELLENT
Sound Quality: EXCELLENT -
Please note: the eBay app does not facilitate playback. Please use the internet site to enjoy the audio clips.
Side 1:
Side 2:
As can be heard in the recordings, the record sounds great. As with all of the early heavy-weight mono pressings, the bass is punchy, the mids well-defined. The lead ins are quiet. Side 1 is superb throughout and a comfortable EX grading. Side 2 displays a little more background static suggesting it has seen a little more play time. However, in my opinion it doesn t distract from the otherwise superb audio.
Sleeve: EXCELLENT
Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT
The original inner sleeve is in great condition. It is very clean and displays only mild creasing.
Additional Details:
Before the audio test, the vinyl was cleaned first by an Okki Nokki vacuum cleaner and then an Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner.
After cleaning, the vinyl was placed inside a brand new mobile fidelity anti-static inner sleeve.
The vinyl will be packaged outside of the sleeve, both of which are stored inside an archival quality polypropylene outer sleeve.
The record will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer.
Please see my other listings for more Beatles rarities.
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