THE BEATLES, WHITE ALBUM, MAGNIFICENT & COMPLETE 1968 UK APPLE MONO 1st PRESS THE BEATLES, WHITE ALBUM, MAGNIFICENT & COMPLETE 1968 UK APPLE MONO 1st PRESS

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of The Beatles' iconic studio double album known as "The White Album", Catalogue Number PMC 7067/8. It's a 1968 mono first pressing on the Apple record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd. top-opening fully laminated gtefold sleeve, numbered 0168169. It comes complete with the original 4 colour photos of the band members, the fold-out 6-panel picture/lyric poster and matching black die-cut inner sleeves. [The top-opening numbered sleeve has flipbacks along the side edges of the opening gatefold. The record matrix numbers are the earliest XEX 709-1, XEX 710-1, XEX 711-1 and XEX 712-1. The KT tax code is embossed on the Side 1 and Side 4 record labels either side of the spindle holes. The 4 colour photos of the band members are made from thick glossy card. The black die-cut inner sleeves are the originals].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just light signs of wear and a few minor creases. The front cover, numbered 0168169, is unmarked. The back cover has 3 tiny pinhole sized indentation marks, but is otherwise in great shape. The opening gatefold spread is pristine with perfect flipbacks along the side edges. The spine is solid with all text clearly legible. It's a very well preserved example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed 157g and 146g records retain their original shine and rotate evenly on the turntable. Visually Sides 1, 2 and 3 are in EX condition with just a few wispy sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are just superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever upon the audio playback. Side 4 I would grade visually as VG+ due to a couple of small marks (not stylus scratches) near the start of the second track 'Honey Pie', in addition to a few wispy sleeve-removal type marks as noted above. The dark green Apple labels are unmarked with just a moderate number of spindle traces near the centres. There is minimal wear to either of the spindle holes. All 4 sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. There are no loud pops, intrusive repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. The monoaural sound quality is very powerful and dynamic and is delivered with great clarity. The aforementioned small surface marks near the start of 'Honey Pie' on Side 4 cause half a dozen soft ticks which are genuinely not intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy. Playback of all 4 sides is otherwise flawless. It really is a top-playing copy which will be very difficult to improve upon.

The 4 colour photos of the band members are in unmarked EX condition.

The fold-out 6-panel picture/lyric poster is in unmarked EX condition with no splits or tears.

The 2 black die-cut inner sleeves are in unusually fine condition. One has a short split to one side edge, but they are otherwise undamaged.
 

Overall this is a magnificent and complete first pressing of arguably The Beatles' most iconic album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

 

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

 

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

                                  

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50