Beatles - HELP 1965 *FIRST PRESS* EX/EX STEREO 12" Vinyl LP XEX 549-2 / XEX 550

	£		45
	$		60

The Beatles – HELP! EX/EX

*UK First Press* 12” Vinyl LP

This is the Original 1965 First Pressing of The Beatles HELP! Album. This rare MONO LP has the earliest matrices XEX 549-2 550-2 and is in near mint condition!  As we Grade Vinyl in accordance with the Record Collector's Grading System where NEAR MINT is not an official grading and MINT Grading is exclusively for Records that are unplayed / unopened, we must Grade this 1st press of HELP! as Excellent. Please refer to photos to see the outstanding condition of both the Sleeve and Vinyl of this 1965 First Press LP.

First Press Information:

First pressing. August 6, 1965. Black label with yellow logo and silver print. “The Gramophone Co. Ltd.” prnted at the start perimeter print and “Sold in U.K. subject…”text. Capitol print. Tracing-paper-lined “Use Emitex” die-cut inner sleeve. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 549-2; Side 2: XEX 550-2.

Condition Sleeve: EX

Condition Record: EX

See below for grading definitions (in line with the Record Collector's Grading System)

Format:  12" Vinyl LP STEREO 33RPM

Label:  Parlaphone

Catalogue No:  PMC 1255

Matrix:  XEX 549-2 / XEX 550-2

Mother stampers: GOO7 / GMO3

Year:  1965

Country: U.K.  

Genre: Rock / Pop

Please see track list below

SLEEVE: EX 

This laminated, flipback, Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd sleeve is in fantastic condition, having been very well looked after and carefully stored. It retains its original shine, lamination is entirely intact and there are no seam splits or damage. There is some light discolouration around the flipback edges on the back cover, mainly across the top and on the very right edge of the front cover, as well as 2 small marks on the very bottom left edge measuring approx. 4millimetres and 2millimetres (please see photos).  As these slight wear-lines are on the edges they don’t affect or detract from either of the front or back covers / art work. There is a 1.5cm wide mark which looks like it could be a light thumb print on the top right of the back cover near where it says PMC 1255, and a smaller smudge just above and to the right of it. These could potentially lighten or even wipe off, however we have not attempted to for fear of damaging this superb and outstanding rare original First Press Sleeve.

VINYL: EX 

Visual -  This vinyl is extremely well kept. The spindle marks are slight / very few and both labels are in near perfect condition.

Side One: There are 2 small light surface scratches only visible under the inspection of a 1,055 lumen LED bulb. These in no way affect the sound.

Side Two: There are 2 larger but still light surface scratches only visible under the inspection of a 1,055 lumen LED bulb. Again, these in no way affect the sound.

Audio - This album plays absolutely perfectly without any jumps, skips, distortion, pops or crackles. There is some light background noise after Yesterday finishes - at the very end of Side 2. Otherwise this is an immaculate copy of HELP! - an extremely rare find for a 50 year old+ LP and a Beatles First Press.

INNER SLEEVE: EX 

The original ‘Use Emitex’ inner sleeve is in great condition with very minimal wear barely visible at the opening (please see photos).

Track List: 

Side 1

1. HELP! (Lennon-McCartney)
2. The Night Before (Lennon-McCartney)
3. You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (Lennon-McCartney)
4. I Need You (Harrison)
5. Another Girl (Lennon-McCartney)
6. You’re Going to Lose that Girl (Lennon-McCartney)
7. Ticket to Ride (Lennon-McCartney)

Side 2

1. Act Naturally (Morrison-Russell) 
2. It’s Only Love (Lennon-McCartney)
3. You Like Me Too Much (Lennon-McCartney)
4. Tell Me What You See (Lennon-McCartney)
5. I’ve Just Seen a Face (Lennon-McCartney)
6. Yesterday (Lennon-McCartney)

RETURNS POLICY

** WE ACCEPT RETURNS **

With the exception of a few very rare records which are particularly sought after, we will only sell vinyl in Mint, Excellent or Very Good condition. We take pride in detailing all our items accurately and honestly. But if the item is not exactly as described, we will accept returns within 14 days of you receiving the item, including return postage in addition to the refund. Please read the listing information carefully before bidding. And please contact us first if you have any concerns, before you leave feedback ratings, and we will look to remedy immediately.  

POSTAGE & PACKAGING  

 ** Our Promise - We do NOT charge YOU more than it costs US to protectively package and post your LP **

We mail everything using the BEST QUALITY (music industry standard) packaging materials - sturdy cardboard record mailers with two added cardboard stiffeners for 12" LP's and 7" singles. We always remove the vinyl from the album cover and the original/ collectable inner sleeves (where present) to prevent damage to these during transit. During this time the record will be protected in a plastic anti-static inner sleeve which doubles up as a protective album cover once it has arrived!

We mail everything using the eBay Shutl 3-5 day TRACKED courier delivery service (via My Hermes) which includes standard compensation of up to £25. Extra insurance can be purchased for items over £25 -  Please contact us for a quote before your purchase or within 2 hours of a sale being completed if you do require any extra cover as we dispatch most items the same day.

We will always combine postage and packaging charges when sending multiple records. Please contact us for a quote on an individual basis.

GRADING SYSTEM

Mint (M) The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet. booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records marked as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent (EX) The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good (VG) The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects is acceptable

Good (G) The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc

Fair (F) The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor (P) The record will not play properly due to scratched, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing

Bad (B) The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.