The Beatles : Please Please Me 1N / 2N Sixth Press 1963

This early mono pressing on the iconic yellow Parlophone label plays with unbelievable sonic quality on both sides.  In a sense this is not surprising as it is the most visually stunning example I have ever seen and I am certain it has only been played a couple of times at most.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is 'as new' and only the final track on each side has a minimal amount of inner groove distortion - so much less than you usually find.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE pressing i.e. no need to purchase another as you could not improve on this audio.

I am delighted to say the cover (with a small Mono on the front) is also in fantastic condition with no obvious wear.  Not only is it so clean but it is also very strong and robust which can only mean it has hardly been handled over the years.  The Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

This may not be one of the earliest mono pressings but it is still a relatively early one I would say.  It is known as a sixth pressing (fourth on the yellow Parlophone label) as it has a 1N/2N matrix and the N is heavily pressed into the run out.  This pressing was produced between 1965 and 1969 but as it has the first known label variation I would say it was produced in '65.  It has 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' etc around the perimeter and the font is Sans-serif.

I do not like to use the term 'rare' but I am confident in saying that this pressing is rarely found in such beautiful condition.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 2N // RHG 10 / RO 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T7 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T7 Near Mint)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

The Emitex inner is Ex+

This vinyl is a thing of beauty!  I have never seen one as pristine as this and 'as new' is an honest description.  It still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches at all and under a strong light I cannot locate any hairlines.  There is just a very small area of very faint mottling on the first track of each side but even that was difficult to find!  There is obviously no groove wear and this is clearly a record that has hardly ever been played, a couple of times at most I would say.  There are only two very small faint spindle traces on the S1 label and nothing on S2.  The labels themselves are in lovely condition with no marking aside from a couple of very faint fingerprints on S1.  The run out grooves are very clean also with only a small area of very faint 'greying' on the S2 run out, it is hardly worth mention.  The matrix info can clearly be seen and this particular copy does not have a KT code on it.  In summary you could not wish to find a more visually stunning example of this iconic album especially at this age!

Play grading  

The run in grooves on S1 have no 'background' so it is immediately obvious this vinyl has been so well preserved over the last 50+ years.  From the countdown intro to the final note the classic 'I Saw Her Standing There' has a sonic quality that is second to none and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  I do not think I have heard this opening track play with such clarity and definition as there is literally no interference not even a solitary dust tick.  This is unequivocally a Mint start to the album.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'Misery' then plays to the same standard with no intrusion, this really is audio of the highest calibre.  Each note is so clean and precise and the fade out has no 'background' either.  At the end of the fade out there you can also make out a very faint 'clatter' type sound - perhaps an instrument being put down.  This album was of course recorded very quickly so it's not surprising extraneous noises were perhaps included!  I have never heard this 'sound' before and it provides one more example of the clarity on offer here.  Another Mint track.

'Anna (Go To Him)' more than maintains this standard and plays beautifully from start to finish with...no interference.  There is no distortion on the top end and Mint is again very much deserved.

The instrumental intro on 'Chains' is so clean and fresh sounding and the opening vocal is equally as good.  There is no let up in quality as it progresses and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  There is such depth to the music and in all honesty I cannot believe what I am hearing.  This is an album that I can confidently say has only been played once or twice, the playback so far is STUNNING!  You know the grade....

So often the next track 'Boys' will play with some 'background' as we are approaching inner groove distortion territory and this is also a mono record being played through a stereo set up.  And yet the power and clarity here cannot be underestimated - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and grades as Mint

'Ask Me Why' delivers on every level and plays with imperious quality from the first note to the last.  I've already reached that point where it is difficult not to repeat myself so I will say Mint no other words are required!

The classic harmonica intro on 'Please Please Me' is 'as new' and from then on the audio is hugely impressive.  Yes there is a little inner groove distortion but it is easily the 'cleanest' version I have heard in many year.  This final track always has some distortion so perhaps should not be downgraded as such and aside from that there is no intrusion on the audio.  I will grade as Near Mint which is an honest appraisal of the audio.

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The run in grooves on S2 are equally as impressive as S1 and the harmonica intro on 'Love Me Do' then plays perfectly as does the remainder of this classic.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is sensational and again the fade out has not one single dust tick.  Another Mint track in every sense of the word.

'P.S. I Love You' plays with outstanding clarity and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Mint

Can this sonic quality continue?  No problem!  'Baby It's You' plays so clearly you would think this vinyl was purchased only yesterday!  Further proof, if it was necessary, that this record has hardly ever been played.  A special mention for John's vocal here, it is so clean and sharp - the definition could not be any stronger.  Mint

'Do You Want To Know A Secret' is of the same exact standard with no sign of any interference.  Another sublime Mint version.

Once more there is complete silence in the dead wax and 'A Taste Of Honey' then plays with great quality and a clarity you always wish for but so rarely find...until now!  Mint

'There's A Place' plays so well considering it is the penultimate track.  There is only very minimal inner groove distortion - so minor and in no way does it intrude on the quality of the listen.  I'm sure being played as a 'mono' record would enhance the audio quality and Mint- is still deserved in my opinion.

'Twist And Shout' is often unplayable as many Beatles' collectors will testify due to a lot of distortion on heavily played records but this version is very strong and has no actual interference.  Yes there is a little distortion but so much less than what you usually find and it provides a Near Mint finish to this stunning album.  As per the final track on S1 this is one of the finest examples of this track that I have ever heard.

In summary this album plays to a 'high end' standard and easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic.  As stated it has hardly been played but that alone does not guarantee 'perfect' audio.  It also has to have been preserved well and that is definitely the case here.  It is visually stunning, as is the cover, and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio certainly reflect just how carefully it has been looked after.  It is without doubt the finest example of a 'yellow Parlophone' mono pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  There is no 'background' aside from minimal distortion on the two final tracks and the 'silence' in the dead wax provides more proof of the STUNNING clarity prevalent across both sides.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated G & L Patents pending cover is in fantastic condition and looks like it has been stored carefully in an airtight cupboard without ever being touched over the last 50+ years!  The edges and spine are in perfect condition and as can be seen there is barely any corner wear either which is a genuine rarity.  The opening edge has no obvious handling wear just 3/4 tiny specks to the edge that you can see on the front.  The laminated front cover itself has no marking and only a small number of faint creases next to the spine.  In a way the back cover is even more impressive because it isn't protected by laminate.  It is beautifully clean and has no marking of any kind and the flipbacks are still also very firmly attached.  The edges of the flipbacks are also unbelievably clean with none of the staining that you so often see.  In a word...stunning!  It would be nigh on impossible to find a better cover :-)

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in superb shape with no side splits or tears and only a couple of very minor marks and minimal creasing.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 2N // RHG 10 / RO 5

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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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