ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE BEATLES

Album Title: With The Beatles [this is copy being the UK contract Decca pressing]

Producer(s): George Martin

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: It Won’t Be Long; All I’ve Got to Do; All My Loving; Don’t Bother Me; Little Child; Till There Was You; Please Mister Postman.

Side 2: Roll Over Beethoven; Hold Me Tight; You Really Got a Hold on Me; I Wanna Be Your Man; Devil in Her Heart; Not a Second Time; Money (That’s What I Want).

Label/Format: Parlophone – intense black matt surfaces with a very gentle hint of texturing. This has the distinctive deep ring ridge inside the rims which immediately indicates a copy pressed by Decca – standard EMI pressings were smooth with no ridge. This is the recognised 1963 second pressing format with the Dominion, Belinda credit for ‘Money’. This credit and other text is the only version known when pressed by Decca. All details as seen on the pictures.

Label Conditions: Both in exceptional condition with possibly the least spindle marks I have ever seen on a mono copy of this Beatles album, just a couple or three which is little short of remarkable for one of the most popular albums ever issued. Both are very clean, fresh and attractive with no wear around the hole area. Beatles albums from this early period are seldom seen with much less evidence of usage. Any of the few marks on this record are purely superficial with no sound, it plays beautifully, even the final song ‘Money’. .

Catalogue Number: PMC 1206

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 143 grams. A typical solid pressed record, made in the era of quality – and in this case, by probably the very best British record manufactures in Decca.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Few standard issue Beatles are rare, they sold in vast numbers, this album very much a case-in-point. So-much-so, this record was briefly sub-contracted to the Decca company to press extra copies to simply to meed demand. These Decca pressed Parlophone records at first glance look the same as the standard EMI copies, but these always included a deep ring ridge on the labels as can be clearly seen on my pictures. They also included a -7N matrix ending and no mother stampers at the 9 o’clock position of the run-out areas of the playing surfaces. Also the actual ‘edge’ rim of the actual record is smoother finished than the sharper standard pressings. These ‘extra’ contract pressings were – in Beatles terms – relatively few and briefly manufactured. Hence these copies can be deemed considerably rarer than the standard EMI pressings. Arguably also, Decca pressings are cleaner, a company that specialised in classical records, they used the purest of vinyl and their discs are known to be the highest and most durable in quality. The Decca pressing of this album is not seen often, and like most, how many survive in such little played condition? Although it has a very few minor surface marks, these have no sound the record plays very clean and impressively throughout with very little, if indeed anything of note to fault. All the music and vocals are sharp and devoid of groove wear or distortion, also with minimal hint, and barely any surface sound or pops or clicks. Also this particular copy has a bit of history, with the back cover including a Nairobi (capital of Kenya) stamp address. This album was issued in 1963, within that year, elections were held in Kenya and independence from the UK followed in 1964. So this copy was actually purchased there when Kenya was still under British control. As seen, both the cover and even the inner sleeve are in impressive condition as well. So few available copies these days will play that very difficult final ‘Money’ cleanly without sound degrading, noise and distortion – especially in mono – well this one does. There is barely an issue at all, proving this difficult song, when new, played just as fine as the others. When distortion and bad sound happens, it’s so often blamed on master tape or original sound problems, but it simply was not the case as proven here. Decca records always seem to withstand more usage and blemishes better than most, and this is no exception – but this appears only very modestly played anyway, and the labels are fantastic. And for this contact pressing, that is very important to collectors. So an elusive ‘specialist’ copy and a great opportunity.

Original Year of Release: 1963

Matrix Nos: XEX 447-7N / XEX 448-7N [these at 6 o’clock postition when viewed upright]

Stamper Digits: 6 2 & 2 6 (side one at 3 o’clock position, side two at 9 o’clock position when viewed upright) [these did not use the BUCKINGHAM codes like most Decca records]

Musicians: George Harrison – lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead and acoustic guitars, handclaps, nylon-string acoustic guitar; John Lennon – lead, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars, harmonica, handclaps, nylon-string acoustic guitar, Hammond organ, tambourine; Paul McCartney – lead, harmony and backing vocals, bass guitar, handclaps, piano, claves; Ringo Starr – drums, tambourine, maracas, handclaps, lead vocals on ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, Arabian loose-skin bongo.

Brief Info: The second UK Beatles album, with advance orders and sales, pressing companies could hardly keep up with demand. So briefly, Decca Records were contracted to press a number to keep sales moving. These are far less common and few survive in top playing condition. I have described above the main differences in this and a standard EMI pressing, and most will know about this album for content, so let’s describe the contents.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: this being very cautious, for a cover around 53-years-old, this is probably worthy of a (+), most will know the usual state most of these are found in. A single format with front laminate, this covers all the folds and ends on the back on three external flipbacks. The main back panel is matt and smooth. The front has the large ‘mono’ text as used on the first issue examples as seen. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse with the ‘Patents pending’ text. Originals include the heavyweight polylined inner sleeve.

Lamination & Front: An attractive front that gives scant clues of age. The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity with no lifting and minimal dulling. A little seen near the rim area under light that few can hope to avoid totally. Just one moderate half moon laminate crease above Ringo’s head, any other creases are fine edge types, again, how many will avoid those as barest minimum? The only real hint of age on this front is thin toning of the fine exposed card on the right edge laminate end area. The main graphic still intense black with no fading, the white area, still just that, white, not yellowed or aged. So an impressive front for this vintage cover.

Cover Back: The back has only very gently aged with any discolouration or grubbiness minimal and light. The main thing to note is ‘The Music Emporium’ stamp near the top, which includes the ‘Government Road, Nairobi’ address and Box Number. So as stated, this has some historic interest with Kenya still under UK control until 1964. There is no rubbing or even creasing to the main unprotected card panel, a near microscopic faint scuff trace near the top edge towards the right, but look very hard to even see it. All three flipbacks are solid and neat with no burring or grime to their ends. A few hairline creases on the laminate, and even this retains excellent shine and devoid of the usual yellowing or toning beneath. So a back that offers only gentle clues of age, but personally, I have no issue with that – it simply gives the feeling of originality.

Top Edge: Smoothly laminated and with no chips or scuffs, still very white and straight.

Bottom Edge: Largely the same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: This storage edge is clean, and still quite sharp with little real wear. Any thickening or burring very light as seen viewed end-on, this has a more ‘rustic’ trim and not razor sharp by any means, this not unusual on thicker than average card. This edge is totally natural, guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.

Spine and Text: Solid and straight with some consistent ‘neat’ compression, the ends very gently tapered in manufacture, this quite subtle. A couple of fine hairline type creases, one near the ‘e’ in ‘The’, but with no affect on the letter as seen. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid and uncracked laminate as seen. For good measure, this is well centred.

Corners: Any tip wear small and light with very fine shape retained with no bashes or minimal dinking.

Cover Summary: A strong and generally age-defying original all-round example of this classic 1960’s cover, one that could prove difficult to find much better. The back stamp may not be for everyone, personally, I think it adds character and sense of history, for sure, such a stamp will rarely ever be seen. Still attractive with no writing or damage, should please many collectors, but not for the highly discerning who only want ‘perfection’ at any cost.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): only very gently darkened with a little minor crinkle near the bottom corners, there are no hard creases. Beatles albums from this period initially had the polylined inners, these early ones were heavier and fairly robust compared to later ones. This one has two immaculate crisp undamaged window circles, the lining intact and very clear with any blemishes small and light. Even the recessed wave-style top opening crisp and very sharp – all good indicators the record has not been removed many times. All edges unsplit with no repairs, it includes the ‘PATENTS APPLIED FOR’ text – these are seldom a great deal better.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: NEAR EXCELLENT: and I consider this a somewhat harsh grading for one of the most popular mono albums ever issued – most seen are hardly worthy of a second look, being played to near destruction with scratched, grubby, dulled surfaces, and covers torn, dulled, creased and often almost blackened. This is light years from any of that and actually appears little played. Okay, a few gentle surface marks, most are fine, small and light, and all are purely superficial with no sound. The majority seen only under bright angled light, actually when viewed in average natural room light, little even shows. Along with two superb ‘Decca’-style labels, this is an impressive 1963 mono record. Very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly pressed. No damaging worn stylus have been inflicted on this durable, quality Decca-pressed record. Not for absolute purists who want totally unmarked vinyl whatever the cost, but one to please many collectors who want a way, way better than average example of this more elusive contract pressed copy.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This Beatles second album plays even above it’s high visual grading with very little, if indeed anything of note to fault – this was a joy from beginning to end with quality mono reproduction. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is fantastic with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. That includes the incredibly challenging final song ‘Money’, that is recorded loud and very full-on. This is a track that so often gives major issues in terms of clarity and distortion – sometimes described as being normal due to the master tape. Well that is nonsense, this song, like all others when not worn or abused, sounds simply superb – as it does on this copy. The vocals are all clear, precise and fully focused with no break up of the intense sound. This also being played on very revealing stereo Linn LP12 Sondek, such records were not really designed for such equipment, but copies up to the job, still sound marvellous. Another wonderful production from George Martin – this is how the band and him wanted their records to sound. This is the real thing, no digital enhancements or remastering required, this simply takes you back to the period of purchase. An exceptional clean Decca pressing, minimal hint of wear with barely traces of degrading and no tracking issues*. Few available copies will match, let alone outperform this early pressing I feel sure. I am certain this record has been played very modestly, certainly in Beatles terms, and has been generally well stored. Nothing of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this impressive copy. It will prove very difficult to find significantly better – especially as a contract pressing – it merits strong recommendation.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Equipment Used for Play-Grading: I now play-grade ALL the records I offer (unless clearly stated to the contrary) on the following equipment:

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.