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The Beatles : Please Please Me 1N / 1N Very early Mono Pressing

This early mono pressing on the iconic yellow Parlophone label plays to a very high standard with no clicks or pops and no static either.  As detailed below there is just some of the usual inner groove distortion towards the end of each side but by no means excessive and a couple of very faint ticks on S2.  The clarity and depth of the audio on both sides is stunning and as you can see the vast majority of tracks play with perfect precision.  The vinyl is also in lovely condition with no marks or scratches and has clearly not been played too much.  It has to be one of the cleanest versions I have heard in a long time.

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and for once the back is very clean with only light wear on the corners.  The original EMI inner is in great shape with very little wear.

This is known as the 4th mono pressing or the 2nd on the yellow / black Parlophone label with a 1N/1N matrix and has The Parlophone Co. Ltd... around the perimeter edges and Recording First Published 1963 on the labels.  This version was produced between the summer of '63 and Jan '64 so this vinyl may well be 60 years old now!

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // RAR 1 2 / ROD 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T7 Ex+) 

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint+ / T6 Near Mint- / T7 Ex+) 

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner is Ex+

Play grading

The first thing you notice is how the clean the run in on S1 is, there is no background which is always a good sign!  The intro on 'I Saw Her Standing There' is just as good and opening vocal plays with perfect clarity also.  It continues in the same way - the depth and power of the audio is superb and McCartney's 'scream' leading into the mid instrumental has no distortion on the top end.  This section has no intrusion either and the remainder is just as 'clean'.  This has to grade as Mint the sonic quality is outstanding.

'Misery' then plays to the same high end standard with no background not even on the fade out.  The vocals were recorded very high in the mix on this debut album and yet they still retain their original sound quality with no static distortion etc.  Each note is so clean and precise and you can even hear the very faint 'clatter' sound right at the end as if an instrument is being put down!  Another Mint version.

'Anna (Go To Him)' plays with sublime clarity from start to finish with no interference and once again I cannot fault the audio.  Lennon's voice is often on a higher register here and yet it sounds as clean and fresh as it would have done when first recorded.  Mint

The harmonica intro on 'Chains' is 'as new' and yes that applies to the rest of the track!  No ticks, clicks, pops or static just pure Mint audio throughout.  Another perfect fade out also.

'Boys' plays with great audio from the get go and proceeds in the same manner.  Another powerful track and yet despite being 'further in' on the record there is no inner groove distortion.  Oh and no background :-) Mint

'Ask Me Why' again shows just how well this vinyl has been preserved and plays with exceptional quality.  If there is any distortion on the vocal it is so minor, it is negligible.  More to do with the 'sound' being compressed a little more as we approach the end and this mono record is also being played through a stereo set up.  There is no interference to be heard and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The classic 'Please Please Me' has a little more inner groove distortion but that is to be expected being the final track.  I am just being honest, that's vinyl for you!  In saying that it is not excessive and still plays extremely well with no actual interference and perhaps in a way should not be downgraded.  However, I will say Ex+ just to be cautious :-)

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The iconic intro on 'Love Me Do' has no intrusion and the opening vocal is stunning, so clear and 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  It continues to play as per an un-played vinyl where each note is just so sharp and precise.  I have never heard a harmonica play as well as this!  The fade out has not one dust tick and this easily qualifies as Mint

'P.S. I Love You' keeps up this fine standard and plays with genuine quality throughout with no interference.  Impeccable clarity once again and both grade as er Mint track.

'Baby It's You' is so so close to perfect.  Once again you cannot fault the clarity but on the penultimate vocal I did hear couple of faint ticks which obviously are no intrusive, they are not clicks!  I will grade this as Near Mint+ and whilst I don't often use a + I think it's deserved here.

'Do You Want To Know A Secret' plays beautifully with no sign of any intrusion and 'A Taste Of Honey' is just as impressive.  The echo effect on the Taste vocal has never sounded clearer.  Both grade as Mint

'There's A Place' plays with great power and clarity considering it is the penultimate track.  There is a little inner groove distortion on the vocal but it is kept to a minimum.  Near Mint-

The intro on 'Twist And Shout' is 'as new' and the first high octane vocal plays very clearly but with a little more distortion.  It continues in the same way and there is no interference - it is a powerful version and I am sure the 'sonics' would improve when played as a mono record.  As per the final track on S1 I will grade this one as Ex+ also.  A stunning album overall!

In summary this very early mono pressing plays with superb audio with no actual interference.  The only background are a couple of mega faint ticks on S2 and some inner groove distortion at the end of each side as you would expect anyway, there is no escaping it.  Like I say though it isn't excessive and they play much better than many other versions I have heard!  There are no clicks or pops and another measure of the clarity is the 'quietness' in the dead wax between each track.  This is a record that has been very well looked after and over-played and the cover is also in great shape!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The E.J. Day cover is in excellent shape with only minimal wear.  The top edge has just one tiny scuff and the bottom edge is super clean without any wear.  The thin pinched spine is in beautiful condition and the four corners are very clean with only very minimal wear.  The opening edge looks hardly touched also.  The laminated front cover is unmarked and the bottom right corners has only light creasing, there is no actual laminate damage anywhere.  The back cover is very clean with very little marking / fading and the flipbacks bar one have just a little wear in the corners.  A fine example overall when you consider the age of this album.

The original Emitex inner is in excellent condition with just one tiny split on the bottom edge, one minor pen mark and only minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // RAR 1 2 / ROD 1 4

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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