Beatles LP "INTRODUCING THE BEATLES" SR-1062 Ver. 2 STEREO Vee Jay Brackets

$

501

We  have  taken  a  hard  look  at  many  of  our  listings  with  respect  to  reviewing  previously   posted  prices.  In  some  cases,  we  felt  they  did  NOT  accurately  reflect  today's  real  market   values   considering  factors  such  as  SCARCITY,  RARITY,  CONDITION   and  the  LATEST  PRICE   GUIDES.  
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Beatles LP  "INTRODUCING THE BEATLES"   Vee Jay Records (VERSION 2 in STEREO) SR-1062 - Brackets Label.  
This version of what turned out to be one of the most BOOTLEGGED  albums ever, was a VERSION 2 recording in STEREO issued in February  of 1964. After the VERSION 1 LPs were not allowed to be sold by Vee  Jay  due to their lawsuit with CAPITOL records (actually with ARDMORE &  BEECHWOOD, Music), this variation with "PLEASE, PLEASE ME" and "ASK ME WHY"  replaced the original which contained "LOVE ME DO" and "P.S. I LOVE YOU".  
NOTE:  Most of the BOOTLEGGING that went on with respect to "INTRODUCING ... THE BEATLES"  centered on the VERSION 1 LP with the cover stating that the LP was recorded in "STEREOPHONIC"  sound (in Gray across the top of the outer jacket) and that it included the songs "LOVE ME DO" and  "P.S. I LOVE YOU" as listed on the back. The problem was that the LP itself did NOT play those songs  (instead they played "PLEASE PLEASE ME" and "ASK ME WHY") and the label never mentioned the  word "STEREO".  In addition, ALL FAKE VERSIONS, fail the "HONEY" test without exception, making  it THE most conclusive test for authenticity in case there were any other doubts.  The "HONEY" test  refers to the song title "A TASTE OF HONEY" listed on the back cover.  In ALL FAKES, the letters "H"  and "E" in the word "HONEY" are not printed clearly in each of their top left corners.  There is ink  missing (not clearly printed as in real versions).  NO FAKE HAS EVER PASSED THIS TEST! 
Any STEREO of this LP is a collector's items;  regardless of condition!
The Front Cover does show the typical ring wear usually found on this LP jacket. There is a small  amount of writing (upper left and middle), with edges slightly fraying, but the jacket is not split.   The  Vinyl does have some surface scratches and has a small amount of writing on the color band on the  label on the B-Side (hard to find in MINT condition).  "I SAW HER STANDING THERE"  really rocks  in  STEREO.  The BRACKET label has the word "STEREO" at  3 O'Clock.  Any  STEREO version of  this album is quite RARE and highly sought after.  
NEAR MINT value of this LP by today's experts, is around  $2,500.00 to $4,000.00 and due to the  fact that this is not NM, we have priced it according to its existing condition, scarcity and also at  estimated market value. Very RARE, quite collectible and valuable to any BEATLES  collector!
Vinyl World Catalogue # 1A-V2-ST ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOME INTERESTING FACTS about ... "INTRODUCING ... THE BEATLES" - FAKE OR REAL?
1.)  First and foremost, genuine copies of any version of this album must have "INTRODUCING ...  THE BEATLES"  and "THE BEATLES", ABOVE THE SPINDLE HOLE.  If either phrase is below the  spindle hole, it is a FAKE – no exceptions.
2.)  Keep in mind that there were  only two (2) official versions of this LP – the VERSION 1 and the  VERSION 2.  There were NEVER any re-issues manufactured by Vee Jay.
3.)  VERSION 1 – This version included the “AD BACK”, the “BLANK BACK” and the “COLUMN or TITLES  ON BACK” variations.  All confirmed “AD BACK” covers have “PRINTED IN USA” on the front cover printed  vertically in the lower left corner.  If this is missing, the “AD BACK” slick was undoubtedly removed from  another Vee Jay album and pasted to the back of a less valuable later version.  This process often leaves  tell-tale wrinkles on the border of the slick.  Also, contrary to popular belief, no copies of this LP  were ever released in 1963.  It is a known fact that the first release of any copies of  “INTRODUCING   … THE BEATLES”   rolled out of  Vee Jay Records officially on January 10, 1964. 
4.)  The  FIRST VERSION 1 COVER or outer jacket prepared was called the “AD BACK” cover, VJ 1062 (1) MCI.  The  back of the jacket featured color images of 25 Vee Jay albums. The Front has “PRINTED IN USA” in the lower left side  printed vertically.  Although the VERSION 1 record itself has significant value, the majority of value for this variation is  driven by this cover. 
5.)  The SECOND VERSION 1 COVER for this LP was known as the “BLANK BACK” featuring a completely blank back  of the outer jacket with a semi-glossy all white paper slick pasted there.  Some of these covers (MC2A) do have “PRINTED  IN USA” on the front like the “AD BACK” while others (MC2B) do not.  Once again the majority of value here is for the  cover like that of the “AD BACK”. 
6.)   The THIRD VERSION 1 COVER  issued was known as the “COLUMN BACK” or “TITLES ON BACK” cover.  It  listed song titles on the back in two (2) columns.  This variation (in MONO) came with either the “Oval” logo label or the  Black Rainbow with Vee Jay in “Brackets”.  Any authentic copy of the STEREO version of this variation is extremely rare  since there were millions of counterfeits that tried to mimic this cover.  These fake covers are typically found with records  that are clearly counterfeit, since in all cases “THE BEATLES” always appears below the spindle hole.  And if the record  is a fake, the cover can’t be far behind.   LABELS – The initial label for this first VERSION 1 run was the Black Rainbow  label with the “Oval” logo.  The records themselves included song titles “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE YOU” replaced on  the later VERSION 2 pressings by “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME WHY”.  The VERSION 2 was not released until the  beginning of February 1964.  There are three (3) typesetting variations with the “Oval” label for this version.  The MR1A  has “LONG PLAYING” and “MICROGROOVE” in upper and lower case letters. MR1B does not have “LONG PLAYING” or  “MICROGROOVE”, and MR1C has these words but only in upper case letters. 
7.)  VERSION 2 – Here again, all authentic versions must have “INTRODUCING  … THE BEATLES”  and  “THE BEATLES”  above the spindle hole.  If either phrase is below the spindle hole, it is a fake.  The VERSION 2  variation featured song titles “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME WHY” which replaced “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE  YOU” found on VERSION 1 copies and was released in the beginning of February 1964.  The labels varied with either the  Black Rainbow “Oval” logo, the Black Rainbow “BRACKETS” logo, the Black Background with Silver “VJ” logo, the Black  Background with Silver “Oval” logo, the Black Background with Silver “VJ” in Block Style print, and the Black Background  with Silver “Oval” logo (very rare). In rare cases, some VERSION 2 records can be found with a 45 rpm label on them as  well (Black Rainbow with “Oval” logo).  There are also FAKES featuring a Medium Sized SILVER BRACKETS LOGO printed  on an all black label (Real ones have a much smaller logo).  All VERSION 2 covers are “Column Back / Titles on Back”.   (NOTE:  There are no known copies of a STEREO “VERSION 2” disc with a regular sized Rainbow label with the “Oval” logo). 
8.)  SOME IMPORTANT TESTS FOR AUTHENTICITY:   TEST #1 – The most obvious visual test for  authenticity is the “SHADOW” test.  It was thought for many years that if GEORGE HARRISON’S "Shadow" appeared on  the right side of the Front of any album cover, it was the conclusive sign of authenticity.  It was discovered later that some  elaborate fakes also had this feature, therefore, although the shadow must be there, its appearance alone does not define  the LP as being authentic.  TEST #2 – A most conclusive test is the “HONEY” test.  This test refers the back side of  the outer jacket and the song title “A TASTE OF HONEY”.  On ALL FAKES, in the letters “H” and “E”, the top left corners of  each letter is not solidly printed in black with ink missing there.  This is probably THE most definitive test for authenticity  since NO FAKE HAS EVER PASSED THIS PARTICULAR TEST.   TEST #3 – The “Flap Test”.  This is a test that requires the  inspection of the inside of the cardboard jacket opening.  The original VERSION 1 covers were manufactured in late  December of 1963 and/or early January of 1964.  All covers assembled at that time have 1/4” flaps at the top and bottom  of inner portion of the cardboard jacket.  The FAKES have either no flaps, 1/2” flaps or a 1/4” flap only at the bottom.  It  should be noted that there are exceptions to this rule which makes this particular test not 100% effective in that it has been  discovered over the years that some VERSION 2 covers also do not have any flaps.  Here again, there was a serious lack of  consistency in quality control.  TEST #4 – Read the “Trail Off Area”.  This area of the record on most if not all FAKES is  generally wider than legitimate copies.  On GENUINE copies, this area varies between 3/4” and 7/8” whereas on FAKES it is  often anywhere from 1” to 1 1/4”.  Most (but not all) legit albums have raised relief machine stamped logos in their “Trail  Off”areas.  Because these machine stampings are very difficult to duplicate, FAKES very often have no markings or only  hand scratched markings.  The most common machine stampings are those from Audio Matrix (AR) or the ARP logo.   TEST #5 – Another characteristic of a FAKE is that they are normally made with a much thinner vinyl than real copies.   Check for thickness by comparing an LP that is in doubt to a known legitimate copy and you will see the difference. 
9.)  It is important to note that THE most counterfeited LP was the STEREO variation of the VERSION 1 “Column Back”  album.  All FAKES feature song titles on the outer jacket and the record label to include “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE YOU”.   However when you play a FAKE, these songs are NOT on the disc.  Instead you will hear “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME  WHY”.  Also you will note that although the outer jacket has the word “STEREOPHONIC” spelled out across the top of the  Front cover in Gray on a White background, you do NOT find the word STEREO anywhere on the record label.           We hope that these facts are helpful to anyone who questions what they may, or may not have in their  collection. There have been many additional theories over the years with respect to authenticity.   Unfortunately some of those theories have in recent years been proven to be fairly accurate but not 100%  conclusive, therefore, we will not debate or discuss them since they are no longer relevant.  If you would  like additional information on whether or not you have a FAKE in your possession, we would be happy to  view any photos you wish to forward to us.  There is no charge to assist anyone in the process of  authentication.  We are happy to do it!



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