Magical Mystery Orig A1/B1 UK LP 2 Plays Mint

	£		26
	$		34

Formerly mpsmith...

Hi, I am Mike, I have been a music collector for over 30 years now. My Ebay name has now changed at the request of Ebay for security - little else will change I hope, I will still try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find - I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any interested collector. You may notice I only submit one or two items a day for Ebay; time rarely allows more as I Play-Grade every record I offer (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story - I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. A ten pounds record that plays close to new is as important to the collector as a 250 pound record that plays less well. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. Good luck.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed. I also will buy quality single items or collections of original quality rock, 60s popular, folk, prog, psych and underground etc.

PLEASE READ ALL DESCRIPTIONS AND CHECK PICTURES CAREFULLY FOR ALL THE INFORMATION GIVEN.

Artist or Band: THE BEATLES

Album Title: Magical Mystery Tour

Cat Number: PCTC 255 Stereo.

Label and Condition: Parlophone black labels with silver text and white logo. Stunning examples, these will not be found cleaner, the record has been played twice only, once by me for play-grading. There is the merest trace of a tiny spindle mark on side one and none on side two - near virgin new looking. (Please see label scans for all information needed).

Country of Manufacture: England, UK

Rarity Factor: In this condition pretty scarce, and now after checking the matrix numbers it appears to be a first off the line (please see Matrix details below) - this is far rarer.

Original Year of Release: 1967 (as a double EP, with less tracks). This was issued in 1976 on the LP size speed and format, it includes the stunning 24 page book still firmly stapled into the centrefold.

Matrix Nos: YEX 959-1 and YEX 960-1. The tiny pressing numbers are 1A and 1B - what a copy! - a stunning near mint record and cover and what appears to be a first pressing.

Album Information: Originally issued as a double EP in the UK back in 1967, in American it made the LP format with added songs. Sense prevailed in 1976 when at last this was issued as a full album in the UK too. This copy all points to a first pressing - its in stunning condition all round and the mint book inside is quite beautiful. This album is far less often found than just about any other Beatles album - it sold far less copies than the original 60s albums. Finding a copy in this condition will never be easy: The record could almost pass as new and plays as such. The cover, never laminated, is superb too and apart from the merest hint of a tiny press mark near the back top, this could pass as new also. Its so light and small I doubt if the picture scan even picked it up. Although the film received mixed reviews, the music on the album is sensational, with every track a gem - pretty much goes without saying really.

Cover Condition and Details: Mint(-) and close to a full mint grade. Gatefold, 24-page book stapled inside the gatefold, Printed by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. A stupendous example of this magical cover, all very surreal and perfect for those psychedelic days of the late 60s. Beautifully packaged, no skimping on this one. I cannot imagine finding this one in better shape.

Cover Lamination: None

Cover Front: Stunningly attractive and just about perfect. Deep rich colour and barely a mark to be seen. No creasing or rubbing, a truly magnificent front cover.

Cover Back: Virtually the same as front - gorgeous.

Cover Gatefold Inner: Again close to new and undamaged. Just small area of ‘set off’ on back right on the bottom of the white area - this comes from the opposite dark ink resting against the white - virtually unavoidable unless tracing paper or similar is place between the sheets from new (how likely is that?). This is as light as it gets and most wouldn’t even mention it. The book is perfect, superbly nostalgic with great cartoons, film still and band pictures - who could ask for more? Beatles packaging at its very best. The limitations of picture numbers is the only restriction to me showing every page - all are magnificent.

Cover Edges/Corners: Quite astonishing - all are as new and are completely devoid of any rubbing or wear. The very thick spine is square and undamaged. The two large original staples are still firmly punched into it and are still solid and locked into position by unworn card. The text is pristine and unworn too. The corners would rank as the finest I have almost seen on any record cover without lamination. They are quite remarkably unworn as well. This cover would be nearly impossible to match or better. This is definetely connoisseur territory and I cannot hardly imagine any collector not being delighted with this.

Vinyl Condition: I would rarely dare use the word ‘Mint’ on a record that has been played, but for this one I am surely tempted too - but lets stick with Mint(-). Its super clean and very shiny and pressed on reasonably solid 70s vinyl. Never certain of anything until the play-grade but this did not disappoint. Its a super record in lovely top playing condition. What a thrill to hear a Beatles album so lightly played, almost a virgin new record - the owner taped it from first play and stored ever since. And stored it well by all the evidence. This lovely stereo recording has all the lovely 60s sound and of course was produced by the genius of George Martin. There is no distortion or sound degrading at all - all frequencies are pin sharp - oh what a joy it would be if all Beatles albums played this good. As said many times by myself, Beatles records are not rare, but finding them in top playing condition is. Well if you like your records that look and play like new - look no further for this one. It really does not turn up as often as most of the others. - certainly not looking like this.

Track Listing:Magical mystery tour; The fool on the hill; Flying; Blue jay way; Your mother should know; I am the wolrus; Hello goodbye; Strawberry fields forever; Penny lane; Baby ou’re a rich man; All you need is love.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: Just check out the track listing - and this is not regarded by some as a strong album - most bands can only dream of this quality of songs. Far more easy to enjoy on the two sided LP format - the EPs flow is marred by turning over four sides (and it has less songs too). This, like all Beatles album is far superior via the vinyl format, CDs sound nice yes, but they still, even now lack all thata fine detail embedded in these vintage grooves. The feel and sound, even from a 70s pressing is still the best way to enjoy the Fab Four. For sure the winning bidder will certainly enjoy this one, because I can remember nothing unwanted on this copy - the sound is magnificent and clean and will never need to be upgraded. And now being played almost from new on a modern deck, should last a lifetime. This is truly investment quality. - Mike.

Payment Details please read carefully:

Buyer pays: (UK) £2.50 P&P , for first-class delivery with standard £28 insurance. Items that sell over £75 will be sent via Special Delivery which are insured for £250.

Europe: £4. This is covered up to £28 (45 Euros) insurance and would be sent 1st-class airmail. A recorded airmail service is now in place for Europe too: this means any item will be fully covered to its true value, No customs sticker is needed for Europe, so this is a worthwhile investment. This costs extra £3, the item is tracked and the item has to be signed for - I will use this service to Europe as standard for very expensive rare items e.g. records over £75.

USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and other Far Eastern countries etc: £5.50. This is covered up to £28 (43 US Dollars) insurance and would be sent 1st-class airmail. Please note I do not profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more).

Extra insurance is available for non-UK items but will cost an extra £4, the item will be covered for up to £500 insurance.

PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.65 to cover PayPal or cash conversions.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Mailing Details: All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken out of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with a minimum of TWO stiffners for extra protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection and three or four stiffners. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other intesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.