Sold Date: July 18, 2021
Start Date: July 8, 2021
Final Price: £349.91 (GBP)
Bid Count: 36
Seller Feedback: 1318
Buyer Feedback: 21

THE BEATLES, ('White Album'), # 0020219 Top Opening UK Mono First Pressing.
The White Album, as it has become known, is arguably the Beatles finest album and this is a fantastic copy of the very earliest pressing that was sold. 
The first pressing records sold in the UK feature a 'Top Opening' sleeve (vinyls go in at the top) with a seven digit serial number. This copy is number 0020219.
There were over 600,000 top opening sleeves sold in the UK, putting this one in the first 3% made.
Furthermore, due to a factory error, 'An EMI Recording' was not printed on the labels of the first few thousand copies - this is one of them!!

There are many features unique to a true first pressing and this record is correct in every detail. 

You will see that the sleeve has: 
Embossed 'The Beatles' text; Stamped serial number in light grey ink;  Flipbacks stuck vertically on the centrefold;  Track listing and four portraits printed on either side of the centrefold; No text or images on the rear; and 'The Beatles' 'STEREO PCS 7067/8' 'MONO PMC 7067/8' printed on the spine.
Inside the sleeve you will find all the original 'inners' that would have been included with the record in 1968. They are:
4 portrait photo cards printed on 'thick' card; Original A2 size 'lipstick' poster with 6 folds; and 2 die cut, black inner sleeves.
As is expected of a first pressing, the discs feature:
Dark green Apple logo on the labels of side 1 and 3; No 'An EMI Recording' text printed on any of the 4 labels; "Sold in the UK..." text printed on all 4 labels; and The matrix numbers: XEX 709-1, XEX 710-1, XEX 711-1, and XEX 712-1 stamped in the run-out.
I have tried to take photographs which honestly represent the condition of the sleeve, the discs and the inners. For completeness, I will provide a detailed description below. 

The Sleeve: Very Good

Overall the sleeve looks great and would improve any room if it was hung on the wall in a frame.
All four sides are remarkably clean and retain their original gloss sheen.
 The embossed 'THE BEATLES' text is really distinct and the serial number is as sharp as the day it was stamped.
The openings are crisp, with minimal fraying, and the laminate has no bubbling with only a few short ripples.
The album has been used and enjoyed throughout its 55 year long lifespan, though, and consequentially shows some signs of age related wear. 

Specifically you should note:
The spine is worn is places and consequently not all of the printed text is legible. There is a light stain in the bottom corner of all four sides; The corners are slightly rounded; There are two bubbles to the laminate on the front cover; and There is a slight (1cm) mark on the rear.
The Inners: Excellent 

As previously stated, the album comes complete with all original inners.
The four photo cards are near mint. The corners are sharp, the colours are bright and there are no creases, folds, scuffs or marks of any kind. 
The poster looks great, the corners are sharp, the folds are crisp, and again, there are no additional creases, scuffs or marks of any kind. 
The die cut black inners are notoriously bad for getting ripped, especially around the hole. I grade these as very good plus. They both have a very small tears at the centre, ring wear and creasing around the corners. One has a couple of small tears at the opening. Otherwise there are no seam splits or folds. 
Also included are two audiophile quality anti-static inner sleeves that the records are stored within.


The Discs: Very Good

I will give both a visual and an oral description for each side of each of the discs separately below.

Visual Description

All four sides show signs that they have been used with plenty of hairline marks that can be picked up in the light.
However, Side 1 has no deep, 'feelable' scratches.
Side 2 has a finger print near the outer edge and two feelable marks. One on 'I'm so tired' and one on 'Don't Pass Me By'.
Side 3 has a very small mark on 'Yer Blues'.
Side 4 has a large scuff through half of 'Revolution 9'.
All the labels are clean, without writing, and with minimal spindle wear.

Audio Description

The White Album is the Beatles most eclectic album with sounds ranging from the bluesy 'Yer Blues' to the truly avant-garde 'Revolution 9'.
Side 1 is very listenable. No major pops or cracks and with only a slight background crackle between songs and in the quieter sections. 
Side 2 can make or break a white album. Blackbird is usually my test for the sound quality of a pressing. This copy is very listenable, some subtle background crackle but nothing that takes anything away from the audio experience. 

Side 3 has two pops at the start of 'Yer Blues' but otherwise plays through without any problems and with minimal dust crackle.
Side 4 is generally the cleanest as it gets played the least. Other than a few pops on 'Revolution 9' due to the mark stated above it is very clear with minimal background noise.
All in all a great copy of this fantastic album.

The White Album is a must have for any record collector. With the low number and misprinted labels this is a true collectors item which is only going to increase in value.

Any questions please ask.
The album comes in a polythene outer sleeve and will be packaged in a padded vinyl mailer.
International postage quoted is an estimate - please contact for an accurate postage costs.

Bidders with less than 10 feedback please contact before bidding otherwise your bid will be removed. 
Check out my other items, slowly downsizing my collection.
Happy bidding, good luck!