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Description
The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.
On offer here is a superb copy of The Beatles' iconic studio album titled Please Please Me, Catalogue Number PMC 1202. It's a 1963 UK mono 4th pressing on the Parlophone record label, with a 1st issue Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd. front-laminated flipback sleeve. It comes complete with the correct "EMITEX" inner sleeve. [The front cover of the sleeve has the "A" of Angus printed underneath the second "s" in the word "songs" in the album title and the large "mono" in the top right corner. The record labels have "33 1/3 R.P.M." text and "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD..." text around the outside. The record labels do not have either the "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" text or the "SOLD IN U.K..." text which appear on later pressings. The record matrix numbers are XEX 421-1N and XEX 422-1N].
The sleeve is in VG condition with only light storage wear and a few tiny laminate creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with the back cover showing only light age discoloration. The left portion of the top rear flipback has been damaged and re-glued at some point in its history. There are 2 tiny pinholes in the top corners where the sleeve has been previously displayed. The spine is solid with perfect text. Overall it's a very presentable example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.
The solidly-pressed record is visually in VG+ condition (close to EX). It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. There are just a few faint sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks visible when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The Side 2 record label has a faint name written at the 11 o' clock position (see close-up photo), which is quite difficult to spot. The black & yellow Parlophone labels are otherwise unmarked with just spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops, repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. The sound quality is exceptional - very dynamic and vibrant with exceptional bass. It's a while since I've listened to an early mono pressing of Please Please Me and I had forgotten how wonderful they can sound. Audiowise it's a flawless copy which will be almost impossible to improve upon.
The original "Emitex" inner sleeve is very presentable with just a couple of tiny nicks but no split edges.
Overall this is a superb early mono pressing of one of The Beatles' most iconic albums which will make a fine addition to any record collection.
GRADINGS
The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:
· MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.
· EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.
· VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.
All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.
Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.
PACKAGING
LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.
INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE
LPs posted outside of the
Worldwide - £14.50
