The Beatles (Please Please Me) Italy Orig’63 Parlophone Mono PMCQ31502 1st Press

$

153

THE RAREST ISSUE OF THE BEATLES’ DEBUT ALBUM RELEASED IN ITALY ON NOVEMBER 26, 1963

THE BEATLES (1963)

1st MISPRINT RED “MADE IN ITALY” PARLOPHON LABELS WITHOUT THE BIEM / MECOLICO LOGO

VERY 1st -1/-1 MATRIX NUMBERS AND MACHINE “26-11-63” DATE STAMP

1ST PRESSING “THERE’S A PLANCE” MISPRINT COVER

ONE OF THE BEST SOUNDING BEATLES ISSUES EVER

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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There is no much need in proving that this Italian pressing of The Beatles’ debut album represents one of the rarest issues not only in the world, but also in Italy itself. This debut Beatles album "Please Please Me" was released in Italy in November 1963 with the title "The Beatles" also known as "Beatles Story" as presented in some flyers of that time. Even the issues containing the “BIEM” logo on both sides of the labels or the reissues having the “MECOLICO” logo, in addition to the “BIEM” logo, are insanely rare to come by with. But look at the PARLOPHON “Vino Rosso” (Red Wine) labels of this copy, you won’t find any of the previously mentioned logos on them. These very early labels dated November 26, 1963 are the 1st print Version 2 among the existing cataloged 11 label variations. I think that from the design standpoint these labels are not only one of the most attractive ones but also fully reflect the Italian aesthetics. The dark red and silver print “Made in Italy” labels contain a large “PARLOPHON” banner, round Parlophon logo, “PMCQ 31502” catalog number and a misprint indicating the author credits as “McCartner -Lennon” under the “Misery” track . 1st print original single-type fully laminated cover with the "Dischi Parlophon " and 3D Parlophone logomark in a box printed in the lower left corner on the front in addition to the catalog number “PMCQ 31502” in the upper right corner. The back cover with the wrap-around borders with round-cut corners contains the printer’s name “A. Saita – Milano” at the bottom right corner, 1st pressing misprint indicating the “There’s a Place” track as “There’s a Plance”, “DISCHI PARLOPHON / CARISH  s.p.a. MILANO” text at the bottom and “PMCQ 31502” catalog number at the top right corner. The album comes with the original Parlophon plain white poly-lined die-cut inner sleeve. 1st pressing vinyl with the 1st -1 / -1 matrix number and date stamp. The full matrix numbers are as follows: Side 1 – XEX 421 1 26-11-63 / Side 2 – XEX 422 1 26-11-63.

★

I grade the cover as Very Good Plus. It's in very clean condition and doesn't have any splits with the spine having a fully readable text. The cover only has some light laminate peeling in some places as evident from the listing's photos and which is commonly found on the covers of this issue. The top left corner of the back cover has a little bit of light wear. The original poly-lined Parlophon inner sleeve is in Near Mint Minus condition. I grade the vinyl as Very Good visually with its sound being Excellent. The aesthetic red labels are graded as Very Good Plus. They're very clean but have some very light scuffing along with some light spindle marks that are seen under a strong light source. The vinyl justifies itself as being one of the best sounding Beatles issues containing a punchy, vivid and clear sound of an Italian pressing. Some very light occasional static that can be heard during the quiet passages at a loud volume will most likely go away if the record is professionally cleaned using a VPI machine.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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