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The Beatles LP White Album MONO 1st UK press TOP-LOADER numbered + Pics & poster

The Beatles is the ninth official album by the English rock group the Beatles, a double album released in 1968. It is also commonly known as the "White Album" as it has no graphics or text other than the band's name embossed (and, on the early LP and CD releases, a serial number) on its plain white sleeve.

The album was written and recorded during a period of turmoil for the group, after visiting the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India and having a particularly productive songwriting session in early 1968. Returning to the studio, the group recorded from May to October 1968, only to have conflict and dissent drive the group members apart. Ringo Starr quit the band for a brief time, leaving Paul McCartney to play drums on two tracks. Many of the songs were "solo" recordings, or at least by less than the full group, as each individual member began to explore his own talent.

Upon release in November 1968, the album received near universal acclaim and reached number 1 on the charts in the United Kingdom and the United States. The album is notable for the eclectic nature of its songs, which has divided critics in evaluating its legacy. The album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was listed at number 10 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.[Previously in 1987, as part of their 20th anniversary, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #9 on "The 100 Best Albums of the Last Twenty Years."

About this pressing:

The Mono issue of the 1st UK pressing is more sought after than the stereo version. It is in fact the only country in the world with a mono-version, which has in fact different mixes (containing different recordingtakes) than the stereo editions. It is issued in a gatefold cover with top openings. The record comes with the four photographs and a poster.

Although the sequential numbering of the covers somewhat remains a mystery, it appears that the first 300.000 numbers were generally held for mono covers and the nrs. 300.001 - 600.000 were held for stereo. This example carries nr. 239.390. Although some stereo discs were found in covers with numbers below 100.000, these were actally mono covers without the 'stereo' designation at the back.

MATRIXNRS:

XEX 709-1

XEX 710-1

XEX 711-1

XEX 712-1

To

1 – 7 Records

8-13 Records

Europe 1

$ 14 (18 incl SF + track & trace)

$ 27 incl. signed for + track & trace

Europe 2

$ 15 (23 incl SF + track & trace)

$ 32 incl. SF + track & trace

Europe 3

$ 17 (28 incl SF + track & trace)

$ 35 incl. SF + track & trace 

Rest Of World

$ 24 (34 incl SF + track & trace)

$ 49 incl. SF + track & trace 

Europe 1

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Europe 2

Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic

Europe  3

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Rest Of World

All other countries