The Beatles : Beatles For Sale 3N / 3N 1st Press 1964

This first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with no 'real' interference.  There are just a few seconds of light static on S1 but there are no clicks or pops on either side.  The clarity and depth of the audio is hugely impressive and S2 in particular is absolutely stunning!

The gatefold is in superb condition and the rarity of this cannot be underestimated.  This is one cover from the Beatles catalogue that is so often found in poor condition but this one has been very well looked after down the decades.  It is certainly the finest example I have seen in a long time.  The original Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

PMC 1240 // XEX 503 - 3N / XEX 504 - 3N // ADH 2 / ARR 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The Emitex inner is Ex+
Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and not very many hairlines either.  There is a small faint band of hairlines on S1 but they have no affect on the audio and S2 really is in great condition with only one small hairline that is a little obvious.  This record has obviously been very well cared for over the years and has not been played that much judging by the audio and visual quality and the minimal spindle wear.  The labels are in superb shape with no marking and the KT tax code can clearly be seen on the S1 label.

Play grading  

S1 begins with a very strong version of 'No Reply' that plays with great clarity for the vast majority.  There is a little background static after 30 seconds or so but it is quiet and lasts for only a few seconds.  The remainder plays with stunning precision and from start to finish there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  I think Ex+ is a fair assessment overall.

'I'm A Loser' has only very minimal 'background' on the opening chorus and then plays with wonderful clarity and depth.  The vocal is very high in the mix here and yet there is no distortion on the top end.  Near Mint

'Baby's In Black' is superb from the very first groove and has no interference of any kind, not even a solitary tick.  Again the vocal is very strong and this track definitely qualifies as Mint-

The high octane 'Rock And Roll Music' plays with stunning precision and again...no clicks or pops.  There is no underlying static and again the clarity and power of the audio cannot be faulted.  This is Mint as no minus is required!

'I'll Follow The Sun' provides further evidence of a vinyl very well cared for over the years.  The clarity is sensational with no intrusion on the audio at all.  An immaculate Mint version for sure.  Let's not forget this album is very nearly 57 years old!

The 'loud' vocal intro on 'Mr. Moonlight' is faultless and it continues in much the same way.  The clarity is again so impressive and there really are no negatives.  No ticks, clicks or pops and barely any distortion on the vocal this is Mint- I am confident in saying.  Plus another perfect fade out.

'Kansas City' ends the side with very strong audio and has only a very minimal amount of inner groove distortion.  And I do mean minimal!  For such a powerful number the playback is very impressive when you consider the grooves are more 'condensed' the closer you get to the end.  There is just a little static on the fade out but Near Mint is certainly deserved.

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The classic 'Eight Days A Week' plays with amazing clarity right from the word go - never heard an intro like it!  It continues to play with such clean audio and Mint is an easy grade to give.  This truly is an exceptional version.

'Words Of Love' plays with stunning Mint precision from the first groove to the last and I am pleased to say the remainder of the side is of the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion on the audio.  The clarity and definition is so good and this is another Beatles' album I am selling that has been so well preserved down the years and has clearly not been over-played.  There are no clicks or pops on this side - I tell a lie - one click in the dead wax between tracks!  Every track here has a sonic quality that is stunning in every way and the penultimate track 'What You're Doing' is a case in point.  'As new' is no exaggeration and the final track 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' ends the album in fine style with no interference and hardly any inner groove distortion.  What a side!

In summary this first pressing plays with genuine quality on both sides.  S1 is stunning but S2 is stunning and then some!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so impressive and for an album of this age to have barely any static is a rarity indeed.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

This is one of the finest examples of this cover that I have ever seen.  In fact this is the main reason why I hardly ever sell this album because it is so difficult to find one with a decent cover!  This one is very impressive I am pleased to report!  The edges have hardly any rubbing and the spine is super clean and remains 100% legible.  The corners are in great shape with no real wear and the front cover is superb with just one very small laminate crease.  There is a minimal amount of laminate 'lift' next to the spine but you can only see it when you hold it at a certain angle and the back cover is just as good with no marking at all.  The inside of the gatefold really stands out as it is so often has a lot of wear and tear.  Not here!  The bottom of the inner spine, so often damaged, is very clean with only minimal creasing and the top of the spine is equally as good.  The two flipbacks are very clean with only one small mark top left and the two panels have no marking apart from one small and faint scratchy area on the left hand side.  This is a fine example of this cover and Ex+ is very well deserved.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in great condition with no side splits or tears - just one tiny 'nick' on the top edge.  There is only minimal creasing and no age related fading.  

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

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

PMC 1240 // XEX 503 - 3N / XEX 504 - 3N // ADH 2 / ARR 3

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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!