THE BEATLES, WHITE ALBUM, SUPERB 1968 UK APPLE DOUBLE

	£		135
	$		179

betsy50 Store

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is a superb example of the iconic self-titled studio double album by THE BEATLES (otherwise known as ‘THE WHITE ALBUM’), Catalogue Number PCS 7067/8. This is an ORIGINAL 1968 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the DARK GREEN APPLE RECORD LABEL (the labels have “Sold in UK…” label text), with a lovely 1st issue top-opening, numbered Garrod & Lofthouse gatefold sleeve. Complete with the correct 1st issue fold-out poster, 4 colour prints and matching black inner sleeves. Also included is the original white paper protector sheet, the purpose of which is to protect the exposed glossy face of the uppermost colour print. [The labels on Record 1 do not have “An E.M.I. Recording” text, but the labels on Record 2 do].

The fully-laminated top-opening gatefold sleeve, printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd., is in close to EX condition (strictly graded) with only light wear and a few creases. The Limited Edition Number is 0531880. The front and back covers are unmarked, as is the opening gatefold spread, which has 2 flipbacks along the side edges. The spine has a little cracking to the laminate, but is square and solid with perfect text. There are no rips, splits, writing or anything else. You can see from the photos that this is a lovely 1st issue sleeve.

The top quality Apple records are solidly pressed and sit flat and true on the turntable. The playing surfaces are beautifully clean and retain a deep mirror-like shine.

The matrix numbers and stampers are:

Side 1 – YEX 709-1    4    A L        

Side 2 – YEX 710-1    4    M R  

Side 3 – YEX 711-1    1    G P D

Side 4 – YEX 712-1    1    O G     

Visually I would grade the records as being in somewhere between VG and EX condition, as there are a few light surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not cause any significant audio problems. The beautiful Apple labels are unmarked with just a few spindle traces near the centres (I would estimate around 6 spindle traces on Sides 1, 3 and 4, and around 12 on Side 2). There is virtually no wear to either spindle hole.  

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

The stereo playback is very powerful and vibrant. The sound quality is outstanding and the bass in particular is very impressive. All frequencies are crystal clear and there is no discernable deterioration in the sound quality. Both records play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted noise at all (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). Please don’t be put off by my visual grading – the records really do play superbly. I think that it will be very difficult to find a significantly better-playing 1st press stereo copy of this wonderful album.

The 1st issue large fold-out poster is in VG condition. There is just a little wear and creasing to the folds and edges – but no serious faults. “Printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod and Lofthouse International Ltd.” is printed in the bottom right corner.

The 4 glossy colour prints are all in unmarked EX condition.

The plain white paper protector is in VG condition, with just a few creases.

Complete with the correct black die-cut inner sleeves which are both in VG condition. There is just a little wear to the opening edges and a couple of small tears from one centre cut-out.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £9.95

Europe over £39 value - £12.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £13.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £15.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs