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The Beatles : Beatles For Sale 4N/4N 1st Mono Press 1964

This is known as the third variation of the first mono pressing and there are no ticks, clicks or pops on either side.  There is some static distortion on S1 but it is not overly intrusive and still plays very well.  As per usual I have played each track in full and S2 in particular is stunning.  The vinyl is also very clean with no marks or scratches.

The gatefold is one of the finest examples I have seen in a long time.  It has only very minimal wear and has clearly been so well cared for.  The Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

PMC 1240 // XEX 503 - 4N / XEX 504 - 4N // GOO 3 8 / RAP 2 8

The audio on S1 ranges between Ex & Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint / T7 Ex+)  

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very strong glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  All I can see under a strong light are some faint hairlines and a few faint 'specks' that you so often see.  The run out grooves are very clean as are the labels which have no marking/writing and not too much spindle wear.  A point of interest - the S1 label has only an M tax code stamped on it.  I know the KT, MT codes etc but I have never seen just a single M!  The MT code was only used between Jan 1st and July 1st 1963.  This album wasn't released until Dec '64!  You often do get anomalies with these tax codes.

Play grading  

'No Reply' plays with great clarity from the very first note and this quality does not diminish as it continues.  There is no 'background' of any kind and provides a superb Mint start to the side.

'I'm A Loser' then plays to the same standard with no intrusion.  A powerful track and yet there is no distortion and the original sonic quality remains.  Another Mint track.

'Baby's In Black' just has minimal static distortion on the first couple of guitar notes and then plays very clearly with only very minor static on the vocal here and there.  So minimal and this may well disappear when played through a mono channel.  I'm playing it on my stereo set up.  Near Mint is fair.

'Rock And Roll Music' has just a little more distortion but this is a 'louder' track and is still a great listen with no ticks, clicks or pops.  Ex+

The next track 'I'll Follow The Sun' plays very clearly but for some reason but there are some static distortion 'moments' on the vocal at times.  I can't see any groove wear so I am uncertain of the cause.  The actual music plays with great clarity so will grade as Ex as there is no other intrusion.

'Mr. Moonlight' plays with very strong audio when you consider so many Beatles' records play with a fair amount of distortion as you approach the end of each side.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and Ex+ is fair.

The final track 'Kansas City' does play with more distortion but again this common and perhaps should not be downgraded as a result.  I will grade as Ex but it is worth noting that there is complete silence in the dead between all the tracks on this side and no ticks, clicks or pops.

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The classic 'Eight Days A Week' plays with stunning clarity from start to finish with no interference.  In essence it could not play any better and Mint is very much deserved.

'Words Of Love' then plays beautifully and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  A quieter track and yet the clarity cannot be faulted.  The fade out is a prime example of that with not even one dust tick.  Mint

'Honey Don't' plays to the same 'high end' standard.  Each note is so sharp and precise - no ticks, clicks, pops or static and no distortion either. Mint

'Every Little Thing' again plays so clearly with no interference.  Perhaps there is just a hint of background distortion on the vocal but I am being my harshest critic here.  It is so minimal and Near Mint is easily deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'I Don't Want To Spoil The Party' is faultless and it continues to play with exceptional clarity and barely any vocal distortion.  Once again there are no clicks or pops etc and the overall sonic quality is very impressive for a more powerful track.  Near Mint

The percussive/guitar intro on 'What You're Doing' is 'as new' and then plays with superb audio and...no interference.  As it is the penultimate track you would expect some inner groove distortion but I did not detect any.  Not bad for a 55+ year old vinyl!  A superb Mint- version.

'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' ends the album with very strong audio with only minimal distortion which really isn't that intrusive, you kind of expect it.  There is certainly much less than on many other versions that I have heard.  Again I'm sure it could be reduced when played as a 'mono' record but Ex+ is definitely a fair assessment of the audio.

In summary this album plays with very impressive audio with not a single tick, click or pop - you really cannot fault the clarity in that sense.  There is some static distortion on S1 on the final four tracks but it isn't overly intrusive and if you want a clean vinyl with a superb cover then this is the one to own!  Another example of the clarity is in the dead wax between each track where there is no 'background' at all.  A fine example overall.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

This cover, in my opinion, is the hardest to find in decent condition but this is definitely one of best examples I have ever seen.  It has only very minimal wear and for once has held its original shape and structure incredibly well.  The edges are in superb condition with barely any wear and the spine has only a little rubbing on the corners.  The right hand corners have hardly any wear.  The laminated front cover is so clean with only one tiny white 'scuff' near the bottom edge and a couple of minor crease lines next to the spine.  The back cover is just as impressive with only 3/4 small laminate creases and the inside of the gatefold has been preserved very well.  It is often the 'inside' that suffers worst but here there is just one very small tear at the foot of the inner spine that really isn't that noticeable anyway.  The flipbacks are very clean with barely any staining and they remain firmly attached to the cover.  Both panels are super clean with no marking - a superb example that withstood the test of time so well.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in great shape with no side splits or tears, no age related fading just some creasing here and there.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PMC 1240 // XEX 503 - 4N / XEX 504 - 4N // GOO 3 8 / RAP 2 8

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!