The Beatles - Please Please Me

I am pleased to offer for sale this outstanding UK 1st pressing of the Beatles' debut studio album, Please Please Me.

Due to the on-set of Beatlemania, early issue Please Please Me LPs have generally been played to death on a low quality early 60s record deck. This copy stands out by remaining in fantastic condition. The heavy weight vinyl looks and sounds simply superb - take a listen yourself below - and the sleeve looks shop-new. Rarely do you see '60s records in this condition.

Album Details:

Serial number: PMC 1202 

Matrix number: XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N

Stamper codes: 1 GP / 1 GA

Tax Codes: MT

Vinyl Weight: 170g

The -1N / -1N matrix numbers confirm that the record is a true UK first pressing. The mother codes communicate that both sides of the record were produced from the first mother plates. The stamper codes communicate that the first side was stamped using the 15th stamper plate and that side 2 was stamped using the 11th stamper plate; suggesting that the record was one of the first few thousand produced in the factory.

The black labels with yellow Parlophone logo and silver text are the 5th variant as is evident from the "Recording first published.." text present to both labels. This was absent from previous variants. 

The front side laminated Ernest J Day & Co sleeve is the second variant as is evident from the large sized, solid 'MONO' aural indicator text printed to the top right hand corner of the front side (the size changed for later variants) and the position of the 'P' in 'Photo Credit: Angus McBean' underneath the 'G' of '11 other Songs' (it was underneath the 'S' in 'Songs' for the first variants). Other identifiers to note are the rounded edged spine and 'cut-out' flip-backs that can be seen to the reverse.

The album is complete with the original polythene lined die-cut Emitex 'protect your records' inner sleeve. 

Condition Report:

In addition to my own conservative grading, I include high-quality, comprehensive photographs as well as a complete audio recording in my listings to enable you to make an informed decision on the condition of this record yourself.

Disc: MINT -

Labels: MINT -

The labels are clean and retain rich, vibrant colours. No spindle wear is evident around each unworn centre hole.

Visual: MINT -

The vinyl retains superb deep gloss playing surfaces which are blemish free in bright daylight. Underneath the glare of a halogen desk lamp a handful of barely visible wispy paper hairlines can be seen alongside an iridescent rainbow shine. Splendid!

Sound Quality: MINT -

Please note: the eBay app does not facilitate playback. Please use the internet site to enjoy the audio clips.

Side 1:

Side 2:

Wow! This is probably the cleanest Beatles record that I have listened to. I hasten to grade records as mint but this is as close as it gets. The sound is warm and clean without any hint of groove wear distortion or background crackle. The lead ins are quiet as is the dead-wax between tracks. Without spending several thousand pounds on a mint 1G/1G pressing I cannot see you improving upon this. 

Sleeve: MINT -

The sleeve is in fantastic, as-new condition. Both sides are bright and clean. The laminate to the front side retains the original lustre. The cover art is vibrant. The reverse is still a brilliant white and without any sign of discolouration. The spine is without wear. The top, bottom and opening edges are all without wear. The corners are strong and crisp. 

Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT +

The original inner sleeve is in great condition. It is very clean and displays only mild creasing.

 

Additional Details:

Before the audio test, the vinyl was cleaned first by an Okki Nokki vacuum cleaner and then an Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner.

After cleaning, the vinyl was placed inside a brand new mobile fidelity anti-static inner sleeve.

The vinyl will be packaged outside of the sleeve, both of which are stored inside an archival quality polypropylene outer sleeve.

The record will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer.

 

Please see my other listings for more Beatles vinyl rarities.

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