The Beatles : Please Please Me Mono 4th Press 1N /1N

This is known as the fourth mono press but only the second pressing on the yellow / black Parlophone labels.  I have however discovered what I think is very much an anomaly with this pressing.

The fourth pressing was produced during the latter half of '63 and January '64 and yet for some strange reason I can see a 'J' to the left of the spindle hole on S2.  However, I cannot detect a corresponding 'T' which would relate to the tax code of course.  The JT code as far as I can find was only used on this album from Jan '69 to Dec '69 but what does just the 'J' mean here?  All very strange!  If there is a 'T' there it is very faint that's for sure.

Another rarity is that this is the rarest cover to be seen on the mono pressings.  As you can see it has the 'Angus McBean' photo credit on the front just to the right of the 'S' above.  This highly collectable cover is in very good condition with only a little wear here and there but it is so much better than many you see.  If you have a rare gold / black first pressing that needs a better cover then this would be more than an adequate replacement!

In saying that it would be a shame to separate this rare cover from the vinyl which, as detailed below, is so clean and plays with fantastic clarity and depth throughout.  I am not sure I have ever seen a more impressive fourth pressing, it really is a visually stunning example.

This pressing has a 1/1 matrix and the labels have 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the rim and 'Recording first published 1963' also.  J is stamped on the S2 label.  The cover has a large 'mono' on the front.

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // RRG 1 1 1 / RRR 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 7 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Tracks 6 & 7 Near Mint) 

The cover is VG-

The labels are Near Mint

The Emitex inner is Ex

 Visual grading

Firstly I will say that this is a beautiful looking vinyl with a stunning jet-black glossy sheen on both sides.  There is not very much spindle wear and that partnered with the audio quality leads me to believe this record has not been played a great deal.  S1 is so clean and it is only on closer inspection that you can see a couple of short hairline marks.  S2 is even more impressive with only a handful of very faint hairlines that are not easy to spot!  There are obvious marks or scratches on either side and it is very rare for a record of this age to be as clean as this.  The run out grooves and yellow/black Parlophone labels are also in superb condition with no marking.

Play grading

With barely any static on the run in grooves you just know this is going to play well!  The countdown into 'I Saw Her Standing There' has no 'background' and it continues to play with exceptional clarity and distinction.  There is literally no interference and each note plays with sublime precision.  This was pressed between the summer of '63 and January '64 and the playback is just breathtaking - not bad a for a 57 year old record!  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint it is a stunning version.

I am delighted to say 'Misery' is of the same standard with no intrusion on the audio.  Not one tick, click or pop - just pure stunning clarity from start to finish.  I cannot praise it highly enough the audio is so 'clean' and even the fade out has no 'background'.  This is Mint in every way.

'Anna (Go To Him)' again play with superb precision from the first groove to the last.  There is no distortion on the top end and the clarity cannot be faulted.  Yet another Mint track.  In fact the audio is so 'clean' it sounds like you can hear Ringo putting down his drumsticks at the end of the fade out!  

The harmonica intro on 'Chains' plays beautifully and continues in the same way with no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  The vocals are so clear and again I cannot quite believe what I am hearing!  A phenomenal Mint version once more with another fade out that has no 'background' at all.

For a louder track 'Boys' plays with great definition and by now you'd expect there to be some inner groove distortion.  If there is any here it is so minimal and totally insignificant.  This is a very powerful version and Mint is no exaggeration.

'Ask Me Why' again plays with very impressive clarity with no sign of any interference.  There is only minimal distortion on the vocal and in no way does it intrude on the quality of the listen.  Of course this may be because I am playing a mono record through a stereo set up.  There are no clicks or pops etc and a Mint- grade is a fair reflection of the quality.

The iconic intro on 'Please Please Me' is superb and it continues to play with wonderful sound quality.  Yes there is a little more distortion on this track but there is a lot less than you normally find and pays testament to how well this vinyl has preserved down the years.  I will grade as Near Mint just to be on the safe side.

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The run in on S2 is also stunning and 'Love Me Do' is just AMAZING!  The level of clarity here is outstanding and it performs as if it was only pressed yesterday!  There is just one very faint tick after the first chorus but is easily missed as it is so quiet.  Thereafter it plays with sublime definition and no interference.  I cannot overstate how well this classic plays - it is an astounding Mint- version and would be Mint but for that one very minor tick, it is not a click!

'P.S. I Love You' plays to perfection with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  I'm running out of superlatives now!  You know the grade...

The relatively quiet 'Baby It's You' has a warmth and depth that you only find on a vinyl that has been so well looked after and only light played.  The clarity is faultless and again there is no 'background' aside from a light click right at the end of the fade out.  Because of that I will grade as Mint-

'Do You Want To Know A Secret' plays with wonderful clarity from start to finish and again Mint is deserved here.

'A Taste Of Honey' keeps up the standard and plays with stunning definition throughout.  This is without question one of the finest versions I have ever heard (much like the other tracks!) and the playback is just immaculate. A beautiful Mint version.

Again this is a mono record so you expect a little vocal distortion now but I am happy to say it is kept to a minimum on 'There's A Place'.  There is no interference and Near Mint is deserved.

The classic 'Twist And Shout' begins perfectly and plays with dynamic power throughout.  So often badly affected by inner groove distortion this is easily one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard on such an early pressing in a long time.  In fact the more I play it the more I am impressed by it!  Quite frankly this track is often unlistenable due to distortion but the playback here is very strong and clear and there is a lot to admire here.  A superb Near Mint end to the album.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album plays with unrivalled clarity and definition in my opinion.  Down the years I have listened to many early pressing and this may well be the definitive version.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is just sensational - I do not use hyperbole to sell a record I just write it as I hear it and this truly is a superb listen.  In a sense I expected it to play well just by the visual quality alone but not this well!  As stated there is not very much inner groove distortion and it is patently obvious this vinyl has not been overplayed. Of course what makes it even more collectable is the rare cover that you only find on the first mono pressings - with the photo credit to the right.  More on that below!  An outstanding 'package' overall for sure.

The Cover

This rare cover is in very good condition and whilst it does have some wear there are no major issues.  As stated this is the highly collectable version with the 'Angus McBean' photo credit starting at the end of the 'S' on the front cover.  This is generally associated with the first Gold/Black Parlophone issues but obviously some were used with the early Yellow/Black pressings also.  The top edge has some fraying and a couple of small 'nicks' and the bottom edge is cleaner with a few small rubs only.  The spine is actually in great shape with only some wear on the corners and it remains 100% legible.  The two right hand corners have a little wear also and the opening edge has only minor feathering.  The laminated front cover is very clean with no marking and just some small creases around the edges and some laminate creasing top right.  The 'white' back cover compared to so many is in pretty good condition in my opinion.  There is very little marking and yes the flipbacks do have some wear most notably on the bottom edge where appears most of the top layer of the flipback has worn away.  Obviously not a perfect cover but for a first issue you won't find many better.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear.  As stated I can detect a 'J' on the S2 label.  They have lost none of their original colour, superb examples.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve is in excellent condition with only minimal creasing and only one very small split on the bottom edge.  It has no marking.

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
PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // RRG 1 1 1 / RRR 1 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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