The Beatles and Frank Ifield On Stage STEREO Nice

$

430

This is a rare 1st pressing, stereo version of The Beatles & Frank Ifield On Stage, Vee Jay VJLPS 1085. Bruce Spizer's excellent book Beatles Records on Vee Jay is generally regarded as the most comprehensive research ever done on the Beatles' Vee Jay pressings. His research determined that net sales of this stereo LP, in all 4 of its versions, were only 3,684 units, which means it rivals the Introducing the Beatles mono Ad-Back issue in rarity. There are 4 label variations of this stereo LP. This one for auction has the oval logo on the label, which is the 1st pressing. It was followed by two variations of the brackets logo and a 4th variation with an all black label with large VJ initials. The sales total for this LP of 3,684 units was the total for all 4 variations, so the number of oval logo 1st pressings is considerably less than 3,684. Based on the sales numbers for this LP, it would seem there are not many of these 1st pressings around. Personally, this is the only copy I have ever seen and it has been in my collection for many years.

This is guaranteed to be genuine and not a counterfeit. The record has the matrix number 64-3852S in the trail off on Side 1 and 64-3853S in the trail off on Side 2. The date 1-21-64 is in the trail off on Side 1 and the date 1-26-64 in the trail off on Side 2. Both sides also contain the machine stamped MR in a circle, indicating it was pressed for Vee Jay by Monarch Records.

This is an example of an LP that plays far better than it looks. Visually, Side 1 is VG+ due to a surface scuff while Side 2 is a very nice EX, but the stereo sound on both sides is much better than the visual grade. There are some light, hairline scratches on both sides and a surface scuff on Side 1; however, these are surface only and don't affect the sound. The vinyl has full gloss and plays near mint. Other then an occasional light tick, which is common on the best Vee Jay pressings, this LP has no surface noise, either with the music or on the dead wax on the run-in, run-out or between songs. The sound is great. The labels show some wear around the spindle hole but have high gloss without any tears, stains, or marks. The jacket is easily near mint and still in the shrink wrap. There are no tears in the shrink and it completely covers the jacket. What appears to be ring wear near the top of the jacket in the photo is on the shrink, not on the jacket. The jacket has no seam splits, ring wear, tears, or stains. There is the residue of a label on the shrink on the back of the jacket. The corners are square but there is some wear on the tips of the corners. The inner sleeve is intact with no tears, marks, or stains.

I use strict grading standards from two record collector publications that use virtually identical grading standards; the UK publication Record Collector and the US publication Discoveries. If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail. Buyer to pay shipping and insurance costs. Check out my Beatles UK LPs currently listed on Ebay.