A Hard Day's Night (3N/3N)

This first mono pressing has stunning audio and the laminated cover is also in fantastic condition, the cleanest I have ever seen.  This is the earliest first pressing version as confirmed by the details below.

Mono 3N/3N first pressing on Yellow/Black label.  'The Parlophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge.  'Recording first published 1964' and 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions' plus song titles on S2 are written on 6 lines.

Mid-sized 'Mono' on front of G&L cover.

Parlophone PMC 1230

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (last two tracks are Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections)

The cover is Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Ex+ & Near Mint-

 Visual grading

  The vinyl has been well cared for and whilst there are some faint hairlines there are no scratches.  There is a small area of faint scuff type marks and a longer hairline mark on S1 but they have no affect on the high quality audio.  For a 54 year old vinyl it is very clean and has not been played a great deal as there is not very much spindle wear at all, a rare find.

Play grading

'A Hard Days Night' plays with wonderful audio from start to finish with no crackle, clicks or pops and not even any interference on the fade out.  'I Should Have Known Better' is another stunning example of a record well cared for, there is just no 'background' whatsoever.  Not one single negative!  Thus far the audio grades as Near Mint if not better and 'If I Fell' falls into the same category.  I have never heard a better version on a genuine first pressing, the clarity is quite simply exceptional.  The remaining tracks equal this standard and again there are no clicks, pops or jumps.  The relatively quiet 'And I Love Her' plays with incredible precision and depth.  I am listening for any imperfection and there are 2/3 very soft ticks near the beginning which many ears might not even hear and one light click towards the end.  There is a little distortion on 'Tell Me Why' and 'Can't Buy Me Love' and this is probably because they are louder tracks being played through a stereo system.  However, they still play very clearly with no other issues and again no clicks, pops etc.

'Any Time At All' on S2 plays so impressively and, for fear of being repetitive, displays no clicks or pops again.  In fact there is no need to describe every track.  Suffice to say they all play with the same stunning great clarity and depth.  In saying that I do think it is worth saying that 'I'll Cry Instead' and 'Things We Said Today' play with Mint- audio.  The sound quality is absolutely astounding for a first pressing.  There is perhaps a little distortion on the final three tracks but again this is no doubt due to the aforementioned reason.  They still play very clearly and yes no crackle, clicks or pops.  'I'll Be Back' ends this classic album in fine style with very clear audio and no 'background'.

In summary this 3N/3N first pressing plays with incredible depth and clarity and how many records over 50 years old have hardly any 'background'?  There is also near complete silence between every track on S1 and just a gentle hiss between tracks on S2 but no crackle etc.  With only light distortion here and there this could perhaps be eradicated if played through a mono system.  A stunning Near Mint cover completes this fantastic first pressing. 

Cover

This G & L laminated cover is stunning!  Just look at the photos.  The laminated front is in superb condition but the back cover is incredible!  The flipbacks are practically as new, they are so clean and the white background has no marking or staining.  Visually stunning and very near perfect.  The laminate on the front has a small number of faint creases around the edges and a tiny amount of wear on the right hand corners but that's being super critical really.  It has no splits or lifting at all.  The edges and spine are in fantastic condition with no rubbing and the opening edge is also mega clean.  Overall this is a superb example of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

The poly-lined Emitex sleeve is in excellent shape with no splits or tears just some creasing.  Beatles is also written on one side.

The labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are extremely clean and have no writing or marking.  There is only a small amount of spindle wear and the KT tax stamp is on the S1 label.  Very clean run out grooves also.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (Second Class)

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7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

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