The Beatles : Please Please Me (1N/1N)

I am selling a number of Beatles' LPs, some rare, and all in stunning condition!

This is the second mono pressing on the yellow/black Parlophone label but the fourth in total if you include the original gold/black Parlophone labels.  The audio plays to an incredibly high standard and you won't find a better looking mono vinyl.  It is nigh on pristine.  Stunning!

Mono 1N/1N pressing on Yellow/Black label.  'The Parlophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge.  'Recording first published 1963' and 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions'.  KT tax stamp on the S2 label.

E.J. Day laminated cover with large 'mono' on the front

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // GOR 1 7 / GPA 4 7

The audio on S1 is Near Mint

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Ex-

The inner sleeve is VG

The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  Visually it doesn't get much better than this!  This vinyl has been so well preserved down the decades it looks practically 'as new'.  There is just one obvious hairline on S1 but apart from that it is immaculate and retains a fantastic glossy sheen.  There is no groove wear at all and there is very little spindle wear, just a couple of faint traces on S1 and only a little more on S2.  This is without doubt an early pressing that has been hardly played and the audio reflects that.  The run out grooves and labels are also supremely clean.  This has to be the most impressive 1N/1N early mono pressings I have ever seen.

Play grading

With no lead in static on S1 the 1,2,3,4 on 'I Saw Her Standing There' is as clear as the day when first released back in '63 and I am delighted to say the audio plays to a perfect standard throughout.  It is just patently obvious that this vinyl has been hardly played, the clarity and depth could not be bettered.  This is why the mono pressings are so keenly collected.  So many audiophiles believe they offer a lot more 'sound' and it's hard to disagree.  There is certainly a greater depth to a mono recording.  This opening track has no interference, not even a dust tick, and I am confident in grading it as Mint the audio is immaculate.  There is then complete silence in the dead wax and 'Misery' then plays superbly with only a hint of barely audible static on the intro.  The remainder is 'as new' and there is no 'background' on the fade out either.  'Anna (Go To Him)' is the first track on the side that isn't quite audio perfect!  Not far from it, I hasten to add, but there are some mega light static sounds to be heard every now and then.  They are very much in the background and certainly do not intrude on the quality of the audio which still plays with wonderful depth and precision.  'Chains' again performs to a very high standard with only the odd 'tick' in the background.  I only hear them because I am so close to the speakers and when in the middle of the room they are not audible.  On the fade out though there are a small number of light clicks.  'Boys' plays loud and true and with barely any 'background'.  A minimal touch of distortion on the top end perhaps but that is common when playing a mono record through a stereo system.  Both 'Ask Me Why' and the iconic 'Please Please Me' end the side in supreme style with no interference although the latter does have a little more distortion.  Sometimes I wonder if this is even worth a mention as any vinyl collector knows this is extremely common with any final track on a side let alone a mono track on a stereo set up.  I guess I just like to be complete in my gradings!

'Love Me Do' on is as close to audio perfection as you will find!  There are no clicks or pops and no crackle either - all I heard was a couple of seconds of minimal light static and I do mean very minimal!  The clarity is absolutely stunning for a record pressed 55 years ago!  The audio is Mint- without question and again there is no 'background' on the fade out.  In fact there is no need to describe each track as the quality is immaculate to the end.  The only thing I will say is that the final two tracks, 'There's A Place' and 'Twist And Shout' play with more distortion but again this is due to the aforementioned reasons.

In summary this early mono pressing is a final upgrade archive pressing of that I am confident in saying.  I have never seen a yellow/black press looking as visually immaculate as this so it is not surprising that it plays with such a beautiful sound and it has been hardly played!  With complete silence between nearly all the tracks it would be difficult to find a 1N/1N record with clarity as good as this.  Together with a very impressive laminated cover this will add to any collection.

The Cover

This is definitely one of the most impressive E.J. Day laminated gatefolds you will find today.  It is very clean and has only minor shelf wear.  So many are in very poor condition but this is not one of those!  The edges are practically untouched and have no rubbing/marking at all and whilst there is some corner wear there is certainly not an excessive amount.  The spine itself is incredibly clean and remains 100% legible, there is no wear aside from the top and bottom.  The opening edge is in superb shape with only a couple of tiny rubs.  The laminate on the front cover has no splits or lifting and only a couple of very minor creases and a little creasing near the top edge.  The back cover is rarely seen in this condition - yes the corner wear (minor) can be seen but the overall visual look is very impressive.  It is so clean and has only a modicum of very faint marking in a couple of places which is hardly noticeable.  The flipbacks are also in great order with barely any marking/wear.  Overall a fantastic example of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve has seen better days and as can be seen has some tape around the edges.  There is also a fair amount of creasing and some tiny 'nicks' on the top edge.

The labels

As stated there is hardly any spindle wear on the S1 label and only a little more on the S2 label.  They are beautifully clean the likes of which are rarely seen today.  They have no writing or marking and are quite possible the most impressive yellow/black Parlophone labels I have ever seen on such an early pressing.  Superb!  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

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

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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 £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

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 (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 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!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!