THE BEATLES Please Please Me STUNNING EX++ UK 1963 MONO LP/COVER, HARDLY PLAYED

	£		155
	$		205

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE BEATLES

Album Title: Please Please Me

Producer(s): George Martin

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Saw Her Standing There; Misery; Anna (Go to Him); Chains; Boys; Ask Me Why; Please Please Me.

Side 2: Love Me Do; P.S. I Love You; Baby It’s You; Do You Want to Know a Secret; A Taste of Honey; There’s a Place; Twist and Shout.

Label/Format/Condition: Parlophone – this is ‘fourth’ pressing format, issued in the summer of 1963. Previous formats were only very briefly available. These have matt gently textured surfaces and include the rare ‘Z T K’ tax codes on side one, all three letters in lovely totally unflattened, barely worn condition. Why? Because this sensational record appears hardly played with jaw-dropping playing surfaces and minimal fine spindle marks that only just register under bright light. Both incredibly clean, fresh and hugely attractive. Totally defying their vast age and popularity, this copy owned by a Beatles connoisseur and plays with close to perfect sound throughout. This is the very best example of this groundbreaking album I have seen or heard to date, it appears hardly even handled.

Catalogue Number: PMC 1202

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 167 grams. A massive pressing for this record made in the era of quality. And being honest they had to be to withstand the most basic of record players it was likely to be played on. It takes a copy hardly played to have any chance of surviving in this outstanding condition.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Most standard issue Beatles albums are common, let’s not pretend otherwise. And this legendary debut album sold in vast numbers. But condition is always the most important factor, few of these very early 1963 copies will survive like this. All fans and collectors know most that show up at fairs or even in private collections are heavily played, resulting in grubby, dulled and badly scratches records. Also seen in torn, filthy dirty, creased, and often pieces missing covers, sometimes with writing and totally trashed. This one totally blowing away all that, the only wear of any note on this cover are a few quite small chips on the bottom storage edge and little else really to fault. This too on a more elusive Ernest J. Day-made example. Even the original polylined inner sleeve is in stunning fresh condition as-seen. The record plays beautifully with the most amazing dynamic, warm and detailed mono sound. This too on a highly revealing system that includes a Naim amp and a Linn Sondek LP12 – hardly equipment this 1963 mono record was intended for. But when heard to this stunning level, its a thing of immense beauty. A copy that almost entirely blows away its 55-years-of-age. A copy in this condition, the record especially, is a rarity these days, many, if not most were lucky to survive in this condition for a few days, let alone for over half-a-century. This example could prove a massive upgrade for many fans and collectors.

Original Year of Release: 1963. This album pressed four times within that year, this the fourth format issued in the summer of 63.

Matrix Nos: XEX 421-1N / XEX 422-1N

Mothers / Stampers: I 1 2 R R H / 1 4 R A G. The embossed label tax codes as described further up.

Musicians (cover credits): John Lennon – rhythm guitar; Paul McCartney – bass guitar; George Harrison – lead guitar; Ringo Starr – drums.

Brief Info: One of the most important albums within popular music history – the Beatles legend really began here. An album that needs few introductions or long write-ups, most fans and collectors will know all about it. Suffice to say its brilliant. Pressed in vast numbers after the success of the singles ‘Please Please Me’ and ‘Love Me Do’, this instantly caught the imagination of the record-buying public and the rest is history. Only briefly available on the gold label and quickly repressed on the more familiar new yellow and black label. Most played to destruction on the most basic of heavy tracking record players of the era, often with blunted, chipped or totally worn-out thick stylus that trashed the grooves and sound. Well this one appears little used, hardly at all in context and plays with breathtaking fidelity and dynamics with virtually no trace of any wear at all. The cover’s main surfaces sublime as-seen in my pictures, even the inner sleeve is immaculate. A copy to treasure for Beatles connoisseurs, and a likely vast upgrade for many.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): I simply cannot grade lower than this for a cover that usually surfaces in wretched conditions. As stated, the only small issue are a few quite small surface chips to the lower edge. A single format with front laminate that covers the three folds and ends on the large rear flipbacks. The main back panel is matt and fairly smooth. The front has the correct very large mono text on the top right. This is the more elusive one printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd, and of course has the small front Angus McBean photo credit. Includes its original polylined inner sleeve as-seen.

Lamination & Front: The small chips on the bottom edge fold apart, this legendary cover front is little short of immaculate. Please remember the age – 55-years-old – and one of the most popular albums ever made. The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity with hardly a trace lifting, and remarkably no dulling, even under light. Any of the few creases fine and light, registering little. The famous graphic looks stunning with deep, totally unfaded or aged colour. Even the corner areas and tips in superb shape and condition. This large mono text original front will prove immensely difficult to find better.

Cover Back: Some fine bottom edge fold rubbing just evident, but hardly anything else. A sensational back for this EJD-made example. These have larger, flat flipbacks compared to the G&L version, hence these are more fragile and prone to damage. But all three are little short of immaculate as-seen. Solid, unlifted with minimal hairline creases to their laminate. All ends ultra crisp without the usual grime and grubbiness the ends normally attractive. Cover-protection has kept this predominately white back in this beautiful condition. I will proudly state, the main matt back panel is close to flawless. There is the faintest trace of a vintage sticker residue in pink near the top right corner, look very hard to see it. Covers of this time were often applied with price or code stickers, or written on by retailers, so a faint tiny blemish like this is almost hardly worthy of mention – but I always will of course. There is no pulling to the card at all. The surface barely aged or darkened, any rub traces minuscule. Try finding one much better, what a gem.

Top Edge: Thin, but still straight with minimal hint of bowing. The surface fully laminated and still very smooth and unchipped.

Bottom Edge: Straight again with some patchy chipping as mentioned already. I would say the surface and its graphic is around 95% intact and still strong with no splits or repairs. Put simply: a storage edge this huge age will rarely escape a little erosion or chipping as the barest minimum, many are seen threadbare on all edges, putting this into real context.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with barely any wear or thickening, even as seen viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way – the same goes for any part of this cover.

Spine and Text: Superb again. Thin, but perfectly solid and straight. Negligible compression, I think these were made pretty much as this. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid, ultra smooth, unchipped or cracked laminate. This also very white and totally unaged as-seen.

Corners: The lack of corner wear is little short of remarkable. Any tip rubs tiny, bordering on minuscule with mostly better than excellent shape retained with no knocks or dinks. Remember, the EJD-made covers were thinner and vulnerable, meaning these corner areas are in amazing condition.

Cover Summary: A gorgeous, age-defying piece of popular music history and the very best all-round example of this original 1963’s cover I have seen to date. One that will prove beyond difficult to find much better. The relatively mild bottom edge wear apart, this is simply fantastic! This beautiful item should please many, if not most collectors. Indeed, even with the mild edge blemishing, it could prove a massive upgrade for many fans and collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): also in amazing condition, this with deep coloured text and the paper only lightly darkened. Two pristine window circles, the polylining clear and fresh, minimal creasing, only light crinkle really near the lower corners. All edges unsplit with no repairs, like the record itself, this appears little handled and probably not seen light-of-day for decades.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): arguably better. A near sensational visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and heavily pressed. A copy appearing very little played on all the evidence with any surface traces few, very light and faint as seen critically under bright light. Only wispy surface traces or fine hairlines, no scuffs, abrasions or penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, barely anything even registers. A copy almost overlooked by time and previous owner, visually a stunning record that should please many, if not most collectors. Massive upgrade potential with sound to match.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This world-famous album that help bring popular music to the masses, plays even above it’s high visual grading with hardly barely anything to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is immense with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds – well, what surface sounds? – this has barely anything, and it has no pops or clicks at all. As expected, an exceptional clean pressing with no tracking issues* or manufacturing flaws. Few available copies will even get close to this, let alone outperform it. A 1963 mono record that offers the ultimate in detail, dynamics and presentation of these early songs – it was a pure joy to play-grade. Both channels are clean and sharp when played on a standard stereo, but highly revealing system, I am certain this record has been played very lightly, probably hardly even at all being honest, and in context, this is hardly run-in for a 55-year-old Beatles album. Most know the states these are normally seen in, and it isn’t like this. Generally well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment, nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. Any hint of any degrading falls below minuscule, even that most difficult track, the final one ‘Twist and Shout’ still plays superbly, any hint of clarity loss virtually non-existent. This song in particular very loud and full-on, and with the tracking angle at its most severe on the inside band, it will usually be stressed and inferior sounding and will test the tracking ability of any turntable, arm and cartridge. But this proved superb, my system dealing with its complexities and almost impossible volume with considerable ease. It simply blows-away its vintage and what a joy, even privilege to hear like this, this pop classic record will prove beyond difficult to find better and merits my highest possible recommendation. I doubt if I will ever find a better all-round, and still very, very early copy better.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering 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 potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – 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 – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. 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 it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 17­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.