Please Please Me (1N/1N)

This fourth mono pressing is in superb condition and as detailed below the audio plays to an exceptional standard overall and the vinyl is pristine.  Whilst there is some corner wear on the cover it is a beautifully clean version.

The first two mono pressings were on the famous gold/black Parlophone labels so in effect this is the second pressing on the 'modern' yellow black labels but of course officially this is a fourth pressing.  The first was released in March '63 and this one between summer '63 and January '64 so you can see it is still a very early pressing.

Mono 1N/1N fourth  pressing.  'The Parlophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge.  'Recording first published 1963' also on labels.  E.J. Day cover with large 'mono' on front.

Parlophone PMC 1202

XEX 421 - 1N // GPA 1  9
XEX 422 - 1N // GPT 4  7

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in some sections / final track is Ex)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in some sections / final track is Ex-)

The cover is Ex- (the corners are VG) 

The Emitex sleeve is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  This has to be cleanest most stunning looking early mono pressing I have ever seen.  It is in immaculate, pristine condition and there is not an excessive amount of spindle wear either confirming it has not been played too much.  Under a strong bright light I cannot detect one single hairline and there are certainly no scratches.  It has an incredible glossy sheen and I would go so far as to say it looks 'as new'!  It is in astonishing condition for its age and has been so well cared for down the years.  This truly is a superb example of a very early pressing, you won't see better.

Play grading

'I Saw Her Standing There' has exceptionally clear audio and plays with no clicks, pops or crackle whatsoever.  There is a little distortion on the top end but that is no doubt due to the record being played on a stereo deck.  'Misery' again plays with superb clarity and it is incredible to think this record is 55 years old.  There is no obvious 'background' here at all.  'Anna' plays in similar fashion which is impressive when you think it is one of the quieter tracks.  There is some light static in the background here and there but it is exactly that, in the background and totally non-intrusive.  What follows is a wonderful version of 'Chains', barely any static and there isn't even any 'background' on the fade out!  This side plays with stunning clarity and 'Boys' is a good example of this.  As one of the louder tracks you would expect a fair amount of distortion but there is very little here.  The final two tracks greatly impress also with a little more distortion on 'Please Please Me' but this is common on the final track of any side and I re-iterate this is a mono record being played on a stereo system.  There are three major factors that make S1 so impressive.  There is hardly any 'background', there are no clicks, pops or crackle and finally, there is complete silence in the dead wax between every track except from tracks 1 to 2 where there are a couple of static sounds only.  This must be so rare on such an early pressing which happens to be The Beatles debut LP!

'Love Me Do' on S2 plays with very impressive audio and displays great warmth and depth.  A small number of mega light dusts but I cannot emphasise enough how good this sounds.  The clarity really is exceptional and once again the fade out plays perfectly providing another example of the quality on offer here.  'P.S. I Love You' is another highlight and once more there are no clicks or pops.  There is no need to individually detail each track if I'm honest.  I have listened to every second of this high quality album and I am pleased to report the remainder of the side plays with stunning clarity and precision.  For example, 'Do You Want To know A Secret' has a minimal amount of light static on the first five seconds, barely worth mentioning really, and then plays with Near Mint quality without doubt.  'Twist And Shout' does play with more distortion but again this may be due to the previous reasons stated.  It is still an excellent listen.  

In summary this is a stunning second pressing on the yellow/black Parlophone label.  Aside from the final track on each side the clarity throughout is astounding and the intros and fade outs in the main play with remarkable definition for a 55 year old record.  With not a single click or pop on either side and more or less complete silence between every track it would be difficult to find a cleaner 1N/1N mono pressing.  With distortion only being that obvious on the final track of each side this could perhaps be decreased if played through a mono system.  A visually stunning vinyl also this will not disappoint any Beatles collector.  A lovely example of their debut.

Cover

This E.J. Day laminated cover is very clean and what wear you can see is mainly on the corners.  The remainder of the cover deserves an Ex grading in my opinion.  The edges are in great shape with only a couple of minor rub marks and the thin pinched spine also apart from some corner wear and it remains 100% legible.  The two left hand corners have most of the wear whilst the two right hand ones certainly have less.  The actual opening edge is very clean and has very little handling wear.  The front cover is in excellent condition and the laminate itself has no splits or lifting although there are a couple of longer creases near the bottom of the cover and some small creases around the edges.

The back cover is very clean and aside from the right hand corner wear is one of the most impressive I have seen for such an early pressing.  There is no staining or writing and that in itself is a rarity.  There are a small number of very faint spots that are only visible if you look very closely.  Overall though it is very clean and even the flipbacks have none of the staining that is often so prevalent.  There is a little creasing on the flipbacks but as you can see, apart from the corners, they are very clean indeed.  So in essence whilst there is some corner wear this iconic cover overall is in excellent shape and infinitely better than most you see today.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve has no splits but does have some creasing and one very small tear on the top edge.  Pretty good for its age though!

The labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and not too much spindle wear.  What there is confined to the inner circle.  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

XEX 421 - 1N // GPA 1  9
XEX 422 - 1N // GPT 4  7

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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