The Beatles : Please Please Me Mono 4th Press 1/1

This very collectable early pressing plays to a very high standard and the vinyl is in fantastic condition, rarely have I seen one as good as this.

This is only the second pressing on the yellow/black Parlophone label but of course there were two previous ones on the famous gold/black label so strictly speaking this is the fourth pressing.

This pressing has a 1/1 matrix and the labels have 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the rim and 'Recording first published 1963' also.  The KT tax code is stamped on the S2 label.  The E.J. Day cover has a large 'mono' on the front.

The cover itself is extremely clean with only very minor wear and again are rarely found in such great condition.  The original Emitex inner is also in superb shape.

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1 / XEX 422 - 1 // GAL 1 8 / GOA 4

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / Track 7 Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / T6 & 7 Ex) 

The cover is a very strong Ex almost Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner sleeve is Ex+

  This vinyl is in superb condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen.  There are no scratches on either side and S1 has only a couple of minor 'specks' and a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is also one tiny heat bump caused during the manufacture but has no affect on the audio.  S2 has only one faint band of hairlines and a couple of others but this is without a doubt a stunning looking record and there cannot be many that look as good as this after nearly 57 years!  The run out grooves are beautifully clean and whilst there is some spindle wear it has not been overplayed and the labels are also very clean.

Play grading

'I Saw Her Standing There' plays with great clarity throughout and with no interference at all.  There is just a minor amount of distortion in a couple of brief sections but, as I often say, this is a mono record being played through a stereo set up.  This is a Near Mint start as the playback is very impressive indeed.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'Misery' then plays to a similar standard and again there are no clicks or pops.  There is just a little static in the background every now and then but is still deserving of an Ex+ grade.

'Anna (Go To Him)' plays beautifully with no obvious 'background' even on the top end.  A stunning Near Mint version.  

'Chains' has only a little distortion on the vocal but nevertheless still plays very clearly with no other 'background'.  The long fade out is very 'clean' with only a couple of light ticks right at the end.  Ex+ again.

For a louder track 'Boys' plays exceptionally well with only minimal distortion on the vocal.  Aside from one very faint tick halfway through the clarity is so good and deserves an Ex+ grade.

Again there is complete silence in the dead wax and that surely gives you a good idea of how well this record has been looked after down the years!  'Ask Me Why' has no clicks or pops but as we are approaching the end of the side there is just a touch more distortion on the vocal but don't be alarmed by this!  It still plays extremely well with no other 'background' and just for a change I will again grade as Ex+ !

'Please Please Me' ends the side with no clicks or pops etc but there is more inner groove distortion here but any audiophile will understand why.  I will grade as Ex- just to be cautious.

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'Love Me Do' on S2 plays very clearly from the first note and has only a 3/4 light ticks on the intro and first verse.  They are quiet and totally non-intrusive.  It then plays to a wonderful standard with no interference and the depth of the audio is very impressive.  The harmonica sections play beautifully!  I will grade as Ex+ although the majority is better than that.

This version of 'P.S. I Love You' is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' I have ever heard.  The clarity and definition of the audio is sublime and there is not one iota of interference.  Near Mint for sure.

'Baby It's You' is of the same 'high end' standard and from start to finish plays with great clarity.  With only a minimal touch of vocal distortion at the end this grades as Near Mint it is that good.

The intro on 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' is so 'clean' and continues in much the same way.  This is also Near Mint as once again there is no interference and the clarity cannot be faulted in any way.

'Taste Of Honey' plays with excellent precision and has only a minimal distortion on the top end with just a touch more on the end section.  Again this could be reduced when played as a 'mono' record I'm sure.  Ex+.

'There's A Place' has no clicks or pops, static or crackle but does have some more distortion but as this is the penultimate track this is not surprising.

The classic 'Twist And Shout' ends the album with real power and again has no interference apart from the ubiquitous distortion.  These two final tracks still deserve an Ex grading.  I am nothing if not honest in my grading, as my regular customers know, and always write what I hear good or bad!

In summary when you consider is nearly 57 years old the audio is very respectable indeed and let's not forget there is not one single loud click or pop!  There is also no crackle and no obvious static either.  Yes there is some distortion here and there but that has to be almost accepted as a given in a way.  One look at the stunning vinyl makes you realise it has been so well preserved down the decades and it would be difficult to find a better one.  The same goes for the cover which still retains it's original 'look' and is still so strong and robust.

The Cover

The laminated E.J. Day cover has been preserved incredibly well and has only minor shelf wear.  The top edge just has one small 'rub' and the bottom edge is in perfect condition.  The spine is also in fantastic condition with no marking and only the bare minimum of corner wear, almost non existent really!  The right corners do have a little wear but certainly not an excessive amount and the opening edge has hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is beautifully clean with no marking or laminate splitting.  There is just a minimal amount of laminate lift near the bottom edge i.e. and just a small number of insignificant creases around the edges.  The back cover is also in superb order and the first thing you notice is how clean it is.  They are rarely seen as good as this and there is no marking of any kind apart from one minor fingerprint type mark!  The flipbacks are also extremely clean and remain firmly attached to the cover.  The one along the bottom edge has just one minor crease and a very small scuff.

This is a fine example of this iconic cover and it is also still very strong and robust providing further evidence, if it was needed, that it has always been very carefully handled.  It would be difficult to find a better one.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels have no marking or writing and whilst there is some spindle wear there is not an excessive amount.  They have lost none of their original colour and remain in superb condition.  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

The Inner Sleeve

The original Emitex sleeve has no side splits and only one mega small tear on the central 'window'.  There is no marking and only a little creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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