Four By The Beatles EAP 1-2121 East Coast Version

$

68

…

"Four By The Beatles"  ~  Capitol EAP 1-2121  ~  East Coast Version

Very, Very Rare Beatles Record  ~  7” EP with cardboard picture sleeve

Free Shipping included!

NO RESERVE Auction!!  Someone will win this.  Will it be you?

Lucky Christmas find for both record collectors and Beatles Fans!

The specific record you are bidding on here is among the rarest of these rare Beatles EP 45s,  and I’ll explain that in a moment.

First, the general description of “Four By The Beatles”:

“Four By The Beatles” is a 1964 Beatles 7” 45 RPM vinyl record, but it is a rare type, known as an EP (Extended Play.)  This record has two songs per side, rather than the usual one per side.  In Capitol Records’ words, it is an “album”!  (Look closely at the right side of the label.)

Side A Features:

1.  "Roll Over Beethoven”

2. "All My Loving"

Side B includes:

1.  "This Boy"

2.  "Please Mister Postman"

The songs were produced by George Martin and recorded at Abby Road Studios in London in 1963 and released by Capitol Records in the United States in May, 1964 as product number EAP 1-2121.  This was the first, and the more valuable, of only two Beatles EPs ever released.

EPs were more expensive and didn’t sell as well as traditional “single” 45s.  Consequently, many retailers never carried EPs and the sales for this EP reached fewer than 75,000.  As you know, that was nothing for a Beatles record at the time; many Beatles singles sold several million!  No wonder this is so rare and in such demand!  Despite its limited availability, this EP reached # 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which is remarkable!

A special feature of this EP is that it comes in a cardboard sleeve, as compared to the much more common paper ones.  Further, this cardboard sleeve has photos on both sides, whereas the paper ones occasionally had photos, but most of the time did not and were just generic paper sleeves.

The actual label on the vinyl record itself was also decidedly “Old School.”  More recent Capitol records had the familiar yellow and orange Capitol Records “swirl” labels with black print, including the other “4 by…” but this EP had a simple solid color label with silver print.  In fact, this EP was among the last ever to have the solid color label.

In any event, you can see why any “Four By The Beatles” EP you can find is worth trying to get, especially with the current resurgence of Beatles popularity.

But here is where it gets interesting.

There were two pressings of this “Four By The Beatles” EP – an East Coast pressing and a West Coast pressing!

While there is no good data confirming how many of each were produce, collectors seem to prefer (and pay more for) the “Old School” blue-ish (actually a blue-green) East Coast version, rather than the green West Coast one.

Apart from the color, the East Coast version had the song titles and writer’s credits all aligned to the left, and the logo on the label just read “Capitol” and did not have the word “Records” under the word "Capitol."

The song titles and writer’s credits on the “green label” West Coast versions were all centered in the more contemporary format, and the logo on the label read “Capitol Records.”

To be clear, the green label West Coast version is highly desirable and worth a ton of money if you can find one.  But the East Coast version, like the one listed here, is in greater demand and is worth more.

If you are looking for one of these (and you should be if you are a record collector or a Beatles fan) then be sure to confirm whether you are looking at an East Coast or a West Coast version!  There is a difference.

How much are these worth?

Perfect or “mint” examples of these go for several hundred dollars.

This one is in great condition, but is not mint.

I am a Beatles fan, not a record collector or peddler.  So don’t crucify me if I use the wrong terminology here.

But the cardboard sleeve looks great and has been very well cared for all of these 46+ years.  To be sure for yourself, look closely at the photos above.  [Note:  I am not a professional photographer, but I have tried to make these pictures as crisp as can be.  As a result, they are kind of harsh, but that is the best way to represent the true condition, flaws and all, and to avoid any surprises later.  If you see photos elsewhere that are not as detailed, well…]

There are two things of note that may not be readily apparent in the pictures.  One, the very bottom of the sleeve has come apart about two-thirds of the way across.  I am told this is common and can be easily repaired, but I would rather you have this in its honest condition first and then let you decide what to do about it, if anything.

Two, someone circled the words “This Boy” with a black marker on one side of the sleeve.  You have to look closely at the close-up of that to see it.  Likewise there is a random mark near Paul’s leg on the other side of the sleeve (see close-up) but they are the only markings on either the sleeve or the record.

What is good about this is it makes this particular Beatles record affordable!

Again, this is a very rare, very collectible piece of Beatles history.  And this is your chance to grab one for much less than a “mint” one costing hundreds of dollars more.

The vinyl record itself, by the way, is very shiny (so shiny it was hard to photograph,) appears never to have been played, and has virtually no scratches or blemishes visible, at least to my naked eye.  (And don’t fall for the old collector trick where scratches to the vinyl can be disguised by spraying them with Pledge!)

The label, too, is totally like new, undamaged and unmarked.

Frankly, I had forgotten I owned this, and recently found it when going through some things while downsizing my stuff.  It’s got to go, and my loss is your gain.

This is not just another Beatles 45 record!

Remember, this is a No Reserve Auction!  Somebody is going to get a real deal here.  Will it be you?  Bid successfully and it will be…

Bid right now!

Thanks, and good luck!

SHIPPING – FREE!

Local pick-up or delivery is available, but if you are not in South Florida (where I am) then I’ll need to pack this record and ship it to you.  I’ll pay the shipping via USPS Media Mail if you are within the continental U.S.

If you are out of the continental U.S., we can still do it, but we must make very different arrangements.  Likewise, if you need faster shipping, call first to make those arrangements as well.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please be aware that I have this rare Beatles record for sale elsewhere, as well, so I reserve the right to cancel this “No Reserve / No Buy It Now” auction at anytime.  If you are at all seriously interested, get in touch with me!

This record is being sold as is where is in Miami, Florida, and with no warranty of any type.  Pay Pal accepted.  Full Balance due within three (3) days of the close of the auction or upon pick up (if you are local) whichever is sooner.  I am firm but very, very reasonable and willing to consider some flexibility should the need arise, but please ask first.

If you are the winning bidder, you must contact me within 24 hours of the auction end to confirm payment arrangements.

Zero feedback bidders welcome, but must contact me first or your bid will be disallowed.

[Note:  I have done my best to fully and accurately describe the condition of this great piece of Beatles history and have provided very clear pictures to better describe what words cannot.  Remember, I am a Beatles fan, not a record peddler.  If you have any questions about the condition of this collectible record (or pick up, shipping, or payment arrangements) please ask.  It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself with the accuracy and completeness of the description and condition of the record and the time for that is before you bid on it!  Consequently, no allowances will be made if you have second thoughts after you’ve won the auction or you find you don’t like or want this item.  This is a very special record, and extremely hard to find – especially the East Coast Edition.  And especially at a sensible price!  Don’t get caught up on something trivial and miss the bigger deal.  If you are unsure about this, seek guidance from an expert or a professional.]

CONTACT THE ACTUAL OWNER:

To request additional information or specific pictures not shown, please email me (Carrie, the item’s owner) at:

carolynn.arch@gmail.com

Or call:  786-525-5894

(Note: My email address is: carolynn-dot-arch [ at ] gmail dot com  Don't forget the "dot" between the “carolynn” and the “arch”!!)

Thanks, Carrie…

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