BEATLES: PLEASE PLEASE ME 1ST PRESS BLACK/GOLD LABEL

	£		122
	$		162

Please Please Me by the Beatles, the very first press of their debut album on the black and gold Parlophone label, PMC 1202, mono, 1963, with matrix numbers XEX 421-1N and XEX 422-1N. There is also an embossed 'M T' tax code on the side 1 centre label and both labels bear 'The Parlophone Co Ltd' text but not 'Sold in UK.'

The 'Photo: Angus McBean' credit in the bottom right hand corner of the sleeve front is 5mm from the opening edge rather than 17mm as found on later pressings.

It seems there has been a mistake with the centre labels, because 'I Saw Her Standing There,' 'Misery,' 'Ask Me Why' and 'Please Please Me' on side 1 all have Dick James Music credits, whereas 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' and 'There's A Place' on side 2 both have Northern Songs credits. Supposedly, a first pressing should have all six songs credited to Dick James, with a second pressing having them all credited to Northern Songs. In other words, it would seem that the record has a first press label on side 1, a second press label on side 2 and first press matrix numbers!

The front-laminated, Ernest J. Day flipback album sleeve is in very good condition on the front, with a little laminate creasing/bubbling and a crease in the sleeve itself. The rear is in good condition, with some staining and age-yellowing, creasing to the fold-over laminate and a couple of areas where the fold-over laminate has peeled off.

The bottom edge is split open for two-thirds of it's length; the top edge has a little wear and some edge splits; the spine has minuscule wear to the extreme bottom and top and some spine splits, but not in the title, which is still bold and clear. The opening edges are OK.

The original, polythene-lined, 'Emitex' inner sleeve is in excellent condition.

The vinyl unfortunately has a tiny crack in the edge that extends barely 2 mm into the actual playing area on side 2 and not at all on side 1. Consequently, play is unaffected by it on side 1 but it does cause one slight skip on side 2. There is also a very slight warp evident as the record rotates on the turntable that does not affect playback in the slightest.

Now for the good news! The vinyl still has a nice shine and not too many, mainly superficial, marks. The centre labels have very little wear around the spindle holes and there are no visible spindle marks.

Audio is virtually as new, being clear and vibrant, with no background noise, hiss or crackle and very few pops at all, apart from those caused by the crack right at the start of side 2, although there is another slight skip towards the end of 'Love me do.'

Side 1: I saw her standing there. Misery. Anna (Go to him). Chains. Boys. Ask me why. Please please me.

Side 2: Love me do. P.S. I love you. Baby it's you. Do you want to know a secret. A taste of honey. There's a place. Twist and shout.

Vinyl Gradings:

Mint = no signs of use. Near Mint = slight signs of use but plays as if new. Excellent = more signs of use but sound unaffected. Very Good = slightly more marks and/or minor background noise that does not unduly detract from overall enjoyment. Good = excessively marked and/or background noise that is hard to ignore. Fair = as before plus playback sticks/skips.

Sleeve Gradings:

Mint = as new. Near Mint = almost as new. Excellent = minor wear/creases evident around some corners and edges. Very good = showing more wear/creases or stains but fairly sound. Good = as before plus torn/faded.

P&P.

All records are posted in custom mailers with cardboard stiffeners, although for expensive items you might prefer the added peace of mind of postal insurance, in which case please ask for a quotation as I cannot be held responsible in the event of a postal mishap.