THE BEATLES, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, 1964 UK PARLOPHONE MONO 1st PRESS TOP AUDIO! THE BEATLES, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, 1964 UK PARLOPHONE MONO 1st PRESS TOP AUDIO!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

On offer here is a superb copy of The Beatles' iconic studio album titled A Hard Day's Night, Catalogue Number PMC 1230. It's a 1964 mono first pressing on the Parlophone record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. "Patents pending" front-laminated flipback sleeve. It comes complete with the correct white lined "Emitex" inner sleeve. [The record labels have "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD...", "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964" and "SOLD IN U.K..." text. The record matrix numbers are XEX-481-3N and XEX-482-3N].

The sleeve is in EX condition with barely any signs of wear and only a few tiny laminate creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with the back showing barely any age discoloration. The spine is perfect with all text clear. It's a beautiful example of this iconic sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record is in EX condition. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are just a few faint sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks visible when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The Parlophone labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops, repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. The sound quality is exceptional - very dynamic and vibrant with exceptional bass. It's a while since I've listened to first pressing of A Hard Day's Night and I had forgotten how wonderful they can sound. Audiowise it's a near flawless copy which will be almost impossible to improve upon.

The original white "Emitex" inner sleeve is in excellent shape with just a few creases but no splits or tears, just a tiny nick to one centre cut-out.
 

Overall this is a magnificent and complete first pressing of one of The Beatles' most iconic albums 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