Beatles’ Story LP RCA/Decca 3-Plant Hybrid UNDOCUMENTED 1-2 3-4 SCRANTON Labels

$

83

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles’ Story LP RCA/Decca Hybrid UNDOCUMENTED 1-2, 3-4 SCRANTON Labels!

Collectors are aware that RCA pressed their consigned copies of The Beatles’ Story with the far scarcer configuration of sides as 1-2 and 3-4, rather than the usual 1-4 and 2-3 pairings.  If you’re lucky enough to locate one for your collection, they always have Los Angeles labels with RCA’s thick trench concentric ring closer to the outer edges of the labels.  (See compere photo.) Those are hard enough to find!

This copy however, is a three-way hybrid of pressing plants, using Scranton labels, which most collectors are probably unaware that they even exist.  And why would they?  None of the great books out there have ever mentioned nor pictured them.

In addition to the Scranton labels pressed from RCA lathes, the dead wax information on all four sides are from pressing plates manufactured by the Decca plant.  The catalogue numbers stamped into the dead wax are Decca’s scripted font in tiny characters, typeset in a straight line.  RCA’s hand-etched or machine-stamped letter “R” is completely missing, as found on copies with Los Angeles labels.  These LP’s are so rare, and so limited in number that you’re not likely to see another one for decades, and that’s with concerted searching.  It’s only the second copy I’ve found since 1975, when I started collecting.

And this copy is an absolute beauty!

Vinyl--- NM/NM.  EX/EX.  Sides 1 and 2 look barely played, if at all.  Sides 3 and 4 have just a scant few light lines per side.

Plates--- T4/P3. T4/T4.  T and P plates are the most commonly found letters assigned to Decca’s pressings.

Cover--- VG.  Presents very well.  Has the first pressing cream-colored front and back slicks against the white borders.  The main problem is that the two bottom seams are shredded in their centers.  Second top pocket seam has a three-inch split.  Front slick has a small pink stain beneath George.  Spine has some slick rubbed off.  Minor dirtwear to front and back slicks.

Gatefold--- VG also.  Center gatefold seam has a one-inch center split.  Slight browning at the edges.

Labels--- EX/EX. EX/EX.  All four labels remain colorful and bold.  They all also have light spindle marks, nothing too bad, though.  Side 1 has the most noticeable ones. I brightened them, so that they’re defined enough for you to see.

Capitol Inner Sleeves--- VG.  Issued with the 1965 custom cream-colored inner sleeves with the words, “Capitol Records, Inc.” all around the perimeter in two rows.  Both sleeves present very well, and they would have graded an easy VG+, except that each of them has one small split on one side seam.  Glue strips can be seen on each of them.

Generic inner sleeves will be provided, so as not to damage your original Capitol inner sleeves en route.

RIAA: N/A

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

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