Sold Date: January 24, 2023
Start Date: January 14, 2023
Final Price: £605.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 26
Seller Feedback: 1437
Buyer Feedback: 0

The Beatles - Please Please Me
This outstanding copy of the Beatles' debut studio album is a UK first pressing on the highly sought after black and gold Parlophone label. 
The early 1 GR / 1 M mother stampers suggest that this was one of the first few thousand Beatles LPs ever produced. Some Black & Gold labels have later mother stampers than this. This is a genuine piece of music history.
The vinyl has the 3rd variation labels (1st Black and Yellow) in which credit Northern Songs as the publisher for the titles A1, A2, A6, A7, B4 & B5. This is the first ever label produced by Parlophone with the Yellow and Black labels.
The vinyl is housed within the front-side laminated Garrod and Lofthouse sleeve with Angus McBean photo credit positioned below the G of 'Songs' and 'rounded' flip-backs to the reverse. Although the majority of this variant came inside the (so called) Black & Gold sleeve, this record is extremely unique in that it is within a G&L sleeve. I purchased this record in the late 70s from an ex-employee of Garrod and Lofthouse who suggested that this was one of the early factory samples that G&L sent to EMI as a prototype. 
Also included is the original heavy paper polythene lined EMItex die-cut inner sleeve that only came with very early pressings.

Serial number: PMC
Matrix number: XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N
Stamper codes: 1 GR / 1 M
Tax Codes: MT
Vinyl Weight: 170g 

Condition:
Vinyl: EXCELLENT +
Labels: EXCELLENT +
The labels are bright, clean and without writing. Only a handful of light spindle marks can be seen on either side. 
Visual: EXCELLENT
Immaculate 'factory-fresh' deep-gloss playing surfaces which only show a couple of subtle paper scuffs in bright daylight. Underneath a halogen desk lamp a few barely visible wispy hairlines can be seen alongside a sparkling rainbow shine.
Sound Quality: EXCELLENT +
The heavy-weight vinyl sounds superb. The record plays with the distinction one might expect from such an early pressing. The bass is punchy, the vocals are crisp and clear and the instrumentation is well defined. It's great.
Sleeve: EXCELLENT
This 1st class sleeve looks fantastic. The front laminate retains the original lustre and the cover art maintains bright colours. The rear is very clean with only subtle signs of discolouration along the open edge. The bottom right corner has subtle softening. The remaining three corners are strong.  The top, bottom and opening edges along with the spine are without any wear.
Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT 
The original inner sleeve is in great condition. It is very clean, without any staining and with minimal creasing. It is slightly discoloured. The vinyl is housed inside an audiophile quality, anti-static inner sleeve to help protect and preserve the record and inner sleeve. 

The record will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer. Non-EU international bidders please get in touch for an accurate postage cost if you do not want to ship with the GSP.
Please see my other listings. I am selling some rarities from my personal collection. 
Bidders with less than ten feedback please get in touch before bidding otherwise your bid will be removed.
** MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW **