Sold Date: October 28, 2018
Start Date: October 18, 2018
Final Price: £3,350.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 38
Seller Feedback: 3282
Buyer Feedback: 128

PARLOGRAM AUCTIONS presents...


THE BEATLES - 'PLEASE, PLEASE ME'

Here is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the very first copies of their debut album which was purchased on the day of release in Liverpool on March 22nd 1963.

The disc has 1st variation black & gold Parlophone labels (PMC 1202) with 'Dick James' publishing credits for tracks 1, 2, 6 & 7 on side 1 and 4 & 6 on side 2.
An 'MT' purchase tax code is present in the centre of the side 1 label.


Matrices: XEX 421-1N & XEX 422-1N

Earliest possible stamper codes: 1/G & 1/G

Housed within a correct/early 'Garrod & Lofthouse' printed front laminated, tri-flipback mono cover, with the Angus McBean photo credit in the extreme lower right corner.

Complete with its original poly-lined 'Use Emitex' inner-sleeve.

CONDITION

Labels: MINT

An outstanding set with no blemishes or wear to any of the delicate gold print. Both centre holes are totally unworn with no spindle marks present and the central horizontal gold lines both go right to the edges of the hole. You will not find a better looking set.

Visual

Side 1: EXCELLENT +  Side 2: EXCELLENT

Both sides of this extremely well-looked after disc retain all of their deep-gloss factory shine with no clouding or dulling to either surface. Viewed in strong daylight everything looks 'as new' at first glance, with two light fingernail scuffs on side 2 being the only significant visual blemishes on the entire record. Closer examination beneath halogen light reveals little more than a few harmless light hairlines and a sparkling rainbow shine. Both sides lie 100% flat on the turntable when playing.

Audio: Side 1: EXCELLENT +  Side 2: EXCELLENT

This cherished copy has received infrequent, careful play and the sound quality overall is clean, clear and without interference. Every track has such power and presence and our single careful play-check at volume found little to fault. All tracks on side 1 were free of any crackle, clicks or other such interference. We detected very slight playwear only on the final track on side 1. Side 2 played just as well but there are 5 light ticks in the band between tracks 3 and 4 along with minor playwear on the the final two tracks. Despite these minor issues, the quality of the recording and pressing shine through making this one of the best early copies you could hope to find. 

Cover: EXCELLENT

A highly respectable early example with a superb unworn, unscratched high-gloss front panel laminate which is free from any 'thumbnail' wrinkles or creasing. There are a couple of  small wrinkles to the upper and lower edges and just a tiny single one to the spine. The corners are all in excellent shape with just a touch of shelfwear to the tips and no heavy bumps or bruises to any. Despite some age-related blemishes towards the rear opening edge, the edges themselves are undamaged. The rear panel has some additional foxing to the paper in other areas, but there is no writing or missing paper anywhere. All of the delicate flipbacks are present and both seams are smooth & unstressed. The spine is strong and fully worded with no wear to the laminate along its entire length.

Inner-sleeve: EXCELLENT

Clean & white with light storage wrinkling, but no writing or seam splits.

Copies of this album this early and in this condition rarely come up for sale and represent an excellent investment opportunity for the future.