I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

The Beatles : Help! 2/2 1st Mono Press 1965

This first pressing plays with superb audio across both sides and with a clarity of sound that could hardly be any more impressive.  There are no clicks or pops and only a couple of mega light ticks!  This vinyl has been so well preserved and the same applies to the cover which is just STUNNING!  Anyway back to the audio - I have graded the final track on each side as Ex+ because of a little inner groove distortion but they are still much 'cleaner' than so many other versions I have heard.  Aside from that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is outstanding and the vinyl is also visually stunning and has clearly not been over-played.  This is another Beatles first press I am selling that was owned as a collectors' item and was stored so carefully as a result.  It doesn't get much better than this!

The Patents pending cover has to be the finest example I have seen in many a year.  It is unbelievably clean - the laminated front still has its full glossy look and the unlaminated back has no marking at all, it is stunning!  The original Emitex inner is in also in excellent condition with just some creasing.

This first press has a 2/2 matrix and there is no space between 'I Need You' and the * credit indicator on the S1 label.  Also on S1 the Northern Songs, NCB credit appears below the band name for some strange reason.

PMC 1255 // XEX 549 - 2 / XEX 550 - 2 // OL 4 / OO 7

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T7 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 & T6 Near Mint / T7 Ex+)

The cover is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner is Ex
Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition with a very strong glossy sheen and no obvious marks or scratches.  There is only very minor mottling in one area on each side but this is so faint and can only be seen when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle under a bright light.  Hardly worth mentioning!  There are only a small number of faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out on either side, it is visually very impressive.  The run out grooves are very clean and the yellow / black Parlophone labels have no marking - a little spindle wear on S1 and even less on S2.  The KT tax stamp can easily be seen on the S1 label.

Play grading  

The run in on S1 is very clean with hardly any background and then the title track 'Help!' plays with superb audio from the get go.  The depth of the audio is what you notice first apart from the clarity of course!  From start to finish it plays so clearly with no interference not even a dust tick and Mint is fully deserved.

'The Night Before' plays to the same standard and again there is nothing to detract from the audio.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the sonic quality is superb throughout.  The fade has no background either.  Another Mint track.

'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' once more shows how carefully the vinyl has been looked after and plays with sublime precision from the first note to the last with zero interference.  Mint

With complete silence in the dead wax (again!) the intro on 'I Need You' plays perfectly and the opening vocal is just as 'clean'.  From then on it plays as per the previous tracks with not so much as a dust tick.  In essence perfect clarity and with a depth and warmth to match.  Yet another Mint track.

At the risk of sounding repetitive 'Another Girl' is of the same high end standard with no sign of any interference.  Usually you would expect some inner groove distortion by now but not here!  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is exceptional and Mint is again a fair assessment of the audio.

'You're Going To Lose That Girl' plays with great quality with no interference.  There is perhaps just a hint of inner groove distortion but it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive and is what you you expect as you approach the end of the side.  In a sense it should not be downgraded because of this and as I always say this is a mono record being played through a stereo set up which may partially be the cause of it.  Mint-

What follows is a very strong version of 'Ticket To Ride' which plays with a clarity that is very impressive when you consider it is the final track.  Yes there is a little inner groove distortion but it is one of the cleanest versions you are likely to hear on a genuine first pressing.  There is NO interference but I will grade as Ex+ just to be a little cautious.  The fade out has no background which again shows just how clean the vinyl is.  A STUNNING side of music!

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The run in on S2 has no static etc and then 'Act Naturally' plays so clearly with no obvious interference.  There is one light tick on the first verse but aside from that it plays beautifully.  Each note is crystal clear and there is no background static to contend with.  A Mint- start to the side.

'It's Only Love' quite simply plays 'as new' from the first note to the last with no intrusion.  Mint

The piano intro on 'You Never Give Me Your Money' is just so clean!  Not one dust tick let alone anything worse!  This clarity is maintained as you progress into the track and I can't put into words just how STUNNING the clarity is here.  It has lost none of its original sonic quality and remember this album is 58 years old this year.  A breath-taking Mint version it just could not play any better.

'Tell Me What You See' is so close to perfect with just one light on the second verse.  It is very quiet and non-intrusive and the rest of the song has no background.  As many audiophiles will know the actual Tell me what you see lines often has some static distortion on the vocal but that is not the case here.  Mint- is about right.

The acoustic intro on 'I've Just Seen A Face' plays perfectly and it continues to play to a very high standard with no interference.  I would say the vocal is slightly muffled but only very slightly.  If the clarity was 10/10 on the previous track I would say it is 9/10 here.  It isn't intrusive and Near Mint is an honest grading.

The classic in 'Yesterday' plays with stunning clarity through every vocal and instrumental section.  With only one mega light tick on the first vocal the audio is so clean and for once there is no static getting in the way.  Easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard on any pressing let alone a first pressing and if there is any 'muddiness' to the sound it is so insignificant and 100% non-intrusive.  Near Mint at the very least.

'Dizzy Miss Lizzy' ends the album with great power and with much less inner groove distortion than you regularly find.  the playback is very impressive with no ticks, clicks etc and Ex+ I believe is fair.

In summary this first pressing plays with exceptional quality on both sides and there are no clicks or pops to be heard.  The clarity is incredible and with only a couple of very light ticks and not very much distortion at the end of each side you can hardly wish to find a better copy than this.  I cannot stress enough just how clean and precise the audio and in a way it is not a surprise when you see just how visually stunning both the vinyl and the cover are!  A genuine collectors' item that has only been lightly played and so well taken care of down the decades.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The Patents pending G & L cover is in fantastic condition and looks almost 'as new' with no obvious wear and no fading or discolouration either.  It just looks stunning!  The edges and thin pinched spine are pristine and the corners are so close to perfect also with only a couple having a tiny crease.  The opening edge has only minimal handling wear and that's really the only 'wear' it has!  The laminated front cover is in superb order with no marking or creasing and in a way back cover is even more impressive because it isn't laminated.  It is unbelievably clean with only a handful of tiny faint specks to the left of George by the edge and the flipbacks remain firmly attached to the cover with none of the marking / staining that you so often find.  It must have been kept inside a pvc sleeve all its life, it certainly has the wow factor!  Near Mint is no exaggeration.

The poly-lined Emitex inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears, no marking and just a little creasing here and there.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

PMC 1255 // XEX 549 - 2 / XEX 550 - 2 // OL 4 / OO 7

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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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 MAY 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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 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!