Beatles LP 1962-1966 1973 First Pressing in Shrink Dark Labels Complete, NM

$

128

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles LP 1962-1966 1973 First Pressing in Shrink Dark Labels Complete, NM!

I don’t use the term, “Mint” as a grading as I believe that as soon as a record leaves the pressing plant (or the “mint,”) it can no longer qualify as “Mint.”  But this LP is one example where that grade applies beautifully.  The entire package looks like you took a bus back to 1973 and plucked this copy out of the bin at Woolworth.

As collectors are aware, the red backgrounds on these labels were usually a bright red, almost orange.  Some first pressing copies had labels that were decidedly redder, and the label graphics and text was sharper than the more common labels we all know.  Those are slightly harder to find, but it’s impossible to find them in store-stock brand new condition, like this one is!

See compere photos, as well as your own copies.

Vinyl--- NM/NM. NM/NM.  All four sides gleam brand new, as though you just got the album home, and sliced the shrink open.

**You will NOT find the slightest angel hair among all four sides!**

Plates--- F16/F18.  J16/J17.  Hand-etched Delta symbol (or rifle) in the dead wax on all four sides makes this copy pressed in Winchester.

Cover--- EX.  Shrinkwrap is still tight against the cover.  Inside pockets still smell 1973-brand new!  The only issue with this cover is that there is a little shelfwear at the top and bottom corners of the mouth.  Original price sticker still affixed to the front cover.  NO SPLIT SEAMS.

Insert--- NM.  The insert is flat and razor-sharp.  Still nice and white.  NO FINGER DIVOTS.  Be careful handling this insert.  It’s tucked inside the gatefold.

Gatefold--- NM.  This gatefold has never been opened since its release in 1973.

Breathe Holes--- There are two breathe holes on the back cover.  One is on Ringo’s right arm, the other is due north in the stairwell.

Track Listing Sticker--- EX.  Collectors know that this sticker is highly susceptible to white ringwear or dirtwear and/or fading.  Not this one.  Apart from some minor fraying at the bottom of this sticker, it looks brand new and freshly-printed.  Apple graphic at the top of the sticker makes this the first-issue sticker, as opposed to later ones with the Capitol logo.

Labels--- NM/NM. NM/NM.  All four labels look like they were printed fresh this morning while you were brushing your teeth.  “Mfd. By Apple Records, Inc.” appears at the bottoms of just the Side 1 labels, making this the first pressing.  NO SPINDLE MARKS AMONG ALL FOUR SIDES.

Capitol Inner Sleeves--- EX/NM.  Both sleeves present as brand new.  Sleeves are dark red and flat, Light record outdent.  NO FINGER DIVOTS.  NOT ONE AMONG ALL FOUR SIDES.

The only issue is that Sleeve 1 had a ¼-inch bottom center seam split.  Best inner sleeves I’ve ever seen for this title.

Generic inner sleeves will be provided, so as not to damage your original Capitol inner sleeves en route.

RIAA: N/A.

A very special copy of this title! 

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

Winners in all other countries will be charged actual shipping to their locations, so please wait to be invoiced.  You will be quoted for the cheapest shipping to your country that the US post office can afford me.  Please let me know if you would prefer to pay for a faster means of shipping, but do NOT ask me to declare packages as gifts, or any other means of defrauding the postal services.  Much appreciated.

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