BEATLES WHITE Album Japan 1st press RED WAX with Obi

$

306

Low starting bid, NO reserve!

The Beatles:

“The Beatles”

(a.k.a. the White album)

Original 1st Japanese pressing

Complete package in top condition:

Original black inner sleeves

Large Poster with lyrics on reverse

4 color photos

Obi

true Near Mint vinyl

Apple Label:  AP-8570-1

The following release information is taken from the Value Guide listing of “The Beatles Japanese Record Guide” by Jason Anjoorian, © 1994 (Beatles “White” album, page 49):

Japan Release Date: 1-21-69

Vinyl Color: Red

Scarcity Index for red vinyl 1st issue: 4  (1 = “very common”, 5 = “very rare”)

Value for red vinyl issue (circa 1994): $200; Multiply 2-3x for obi; Deduct $10 each for missing lyric sheet, missing poster, or incomplete photo set.  Deduct 50% for EMI version.   

NOTE: The album offered here is NOT the second issue EMI version from 1973, which when the company label name changed to Toshiba-EMI Ltd., this is the original 1st issue pressing by Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd., released in Japan on January 21st, 1969 (for details on the differences see pages 7-8 of Jason Anjoorian’s “The Beatles Japanese Record Guide”).  Please also note that this album was not issued with a separate Lyric Sheet, the lyrics for all of the songs are printed on the back of the large poster.

If you are interested in this particular pressing, I do not believe will find a nicer example.  Please see condition details below.

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Inner Sleeves Condition

The original black paper inner sleeves are like new, no seam splits, clearly they have not been used since the album was new, the original owner must have immediately placed the records in the traditional Japanese "U" shaped poly-plastic inner sleeves.

Obi Condition

This rare Apple Records Obi is in Near Mint / M- condition. 

No rips or tears, No yellowing from age. 

The Obi is complete, including the re-order tag on the back (see the "inside gatefold" picture).  These "medallion" Obi's are difficult to find without tears, the circular part easily slips past the edge of the jacket and gets bent/folded or snagged on something (and then usually torn).  This example is in fantastic condition.

Cover Condition

There are NO seam splits, NO edge wear to the top, bottom or spine, this example has always been protected from normal "shelf-wear" by being stored in a re-sealable outer plastic sleeve.  It also has a low edition number, (015088), considering the number of Beatles White albums that were produced.  There is only the lightest circular record impression typical of all examples of this album, only noticeable when held at an angle to the light.  The pictures below were taken with a camera flash and show a light “browning” that is common to these glossy covers along the opening edge, but it is highly exaggerated by the flash.  The winning bidder will see that the “browning” is practically non-existent with the naked eye, I don’t know why it appears so pronounced in the picture (I’m not a photographer!).  The “white” appears much better (i.e., whiter) in person than the pictures have shown.

Poster and 4 Beatles pictures Condition

The poster and pictures are as nice as any I've seen, showing no signs that they've ever been "displayed" (i.e., not thumb-tack pin holes or tape marks, etc.).  Amazing after 39 years!

Label Condition

The labels of Record 1 are amazing, they look brand new.  There are 2 very light, short spindle marks at the 12 o'clock position, just above the spindle hole.  They are difficult to see unless the record is held at just the right angle to the light.  On Side 2, I can barely make out 1 spindle mark, it is almost impossible to see against the white background, you have to look very carefully or you'll miss it. 

The labels of Record 2 are like the first record, when examined under a bright light they appear as though they are new.  There is 1 tiny spindle mark on Side 3.  It is about a millimeter in length, at the 10 o'clock position, right next to the spindle hole.  I can find no trace of any spindle marks at all on the Side 4 label.

Record Condition

Record 1:  The vinyl on both sides of Record 1 is flawless, with NO marks of any kind when examined under a bright light.  It is quite something to look at actually, being that it's essentially "un-banded" and almost appears as though each entire side is one long song.  You can see where each song starts and stops, but of course there is no normal "space" between songs on this album like you would usually expect to see on most records.  The vinyl shines like new.

Record 2: Being very picky here (as I always am with records, and as I expect you will be too!) upon careful examination there is a tiny (about 1/8th inch) "hairline" on Side 3 that can only be seen when the record is tilted at just the right angle to the light.  Fortunately it is non-sounding, I checked to make sure, and found myself listening to the whole side.  I know that many people simply consider these original Beatles issues as “collectibles”, but the sound quality on this Japanese pressing is superb.  The rest of the vinyl is pristine and flawless, and there are NO marks of any kind on the vinyl to Side 4.

These original Japanese first pressing red vinyl Beatles albums are highly prized by collectors, especially when they are complete with all inserts (i.e., poster, 4 photos, original inner sleeves and Obi).  

The example offered here comes with fantastic M- vinyl, making this a rare complete package of the highest quality that will never need upgrading.  Unless you can find one that you are sure has never been played, it's hard to imagine that a nicer example exists.

Always stored properly in a heavy outer plastic protective cover, a superb 1st issue example of the Beatles “White” album on red wax.

39 years old now…

…and a required album for the serious Beatles fan, a rare

original Japanese 1st pressing in top condition.

AMG Rating: 5 Stars (Best of Genre)

Track Listing Side 1
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Lennon/McCartney)
Dear Prudence (Lennon/McCartney)
Glass Onion (Lennon/McCartney)
OB-La-Di, OB-La-Da (Lennon/McCartney)
Wild Honey Pie (Lennon/McCartney)
Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill (Lennon/McCartney)
While My Guitar Gentle Weeps (Harrison)
Happiness Is a Warm Gun (Lennon/McCartney)

Track Listing Side 2
Martha My Dear (Lennon/McCartney)
I'm So Tired (Lennon/McCartney)
Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney)
Piggies (Harrison)
Rocky Raccoon (Lennon/McCartney)
Don't Pass Me By (Starr)
Why Don't We Do It in the Road? (Lennon/McCartney)
I Will (Lennon/McCartney)
Julia (Lennon/McCartney)

Track Listing Side 3
Birthday (Lennon/McCartney)
Yer Blues (Lennon/McCartney)
Mother Nature's Son (Lennon/McCartney)
Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except...
Sexy Sadie (Lennon/McCartney)
Helter Skelter (Lennon/McCartney)
Long, Long, Long (Harrison)

Track Listing Side 4
Revolution 1 (Lennon/McCartney) 
Honey Pie (Lennon/McCartney)
Savoy Truffle (Harrison)
Cry Baby Cry (Lennon/McCartney)
Revolution 9 (Lennon/McCartney)
Good Night (Lennon/McCartney)

New Musical Express (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #8 in NME's

list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.'

Q Magazine (6/00, p.86) - Ranked #7 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" -

"...[Out of] boundless enthusiasm and creeping paranoia - comes [their] most peculiar record....Childish, colorful, antiquated and faintly macabre..."

Vibe (12/99, p.157) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century 

AMG Review - 5 Stars

Each song on the sprawling double album The Beatles is an entity to itself, as the band touches on anything and everything it can. This makes for a frustratingly scattershot record or a singularly gripping musical experience, depending on your view, but what makes the so-called White Album interesting is its mess. Never before had a rock record been so self-reflective, or so ironic; the Beach Boys send-up "Back in the U.S.S.R." and the British blooze parody "Yer Blues" are delivered straight-faced, so it's never clear if these are affectionate tributes or wicked satires. Lennon turns in two of his best ballads with "Dear Prudence" and "Julia"; scours the Abbey Road vaults for the musique concrète collage "Revolution 9"; pours on the schmaltz for Ringo's closing number, "Good Night"; celebrates the Beatles cult with "Glass Onion"; and, with "Cry Baby Cry," rivals Syd Barrett. McCartney doesn't reach quite as far, yet his songs are stunning — the music hall romp "Honey Pie," the mock country of "Rocky Raccoon," the ska-inflected "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," and the proto-metal roar of "Helter Skelter." Clearly, the Beatles' two main songwriting forces were no longer on the same page, but neither were George and Ringo. Harrison still had just two songs per LP, but it's clear from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the canned soul of "Savoy Truffle," the haunting "Long, Long, Long," and even the silly "Piggies" that he had developed into a songwriter who deserved wider exposure. And Ringo turns in a delight with his first original, the lumbering country-carnival stomp "Don't Pass Me By." None of it sounds like it was meant to share album space together, but somehow The Beatles creates its own style and sound through its mess. - by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Please see my OTHER AUCTIONS for more rare classic rock era Lp’s!

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Domestic (USA) Packaging:

You will see from my eBay feedback that I package very securely.  Open albums can have the Lp’s removed from jackets (helps to prevent seam-splits during shipping) upon request.  Sealed albums will be carefully “sandwiched” between two pieces of cardboard and taped tightly enough to prevent the record from sliding back-and-forth inside the sealed cover to help prevent seam-splits during shipping.  I have not had any problems with damaged records or covers as a result of my packaging, but I do recommend Insurance on the more expensive items. 

Priority Shipping to the U.S.

I do not charge a "Handling" fee, Priority shipping calculations will be made using the USPS website  (http://postcalc.usps.gov/) based on your Zip code.

Payment for U.S. Buyers:

Money Orders are preferred (checks will have to clear before shipment).  Paypal is accepted.  I will contact the winning bidder directly with a detailed Invoice.  Insurance is always offered as an option.

International Shipping:

I am happy to make these records available to everyone who loves music and who is interested in purchasing quality record Lp's.  I have plenty of experience safely shipping record Lp's internationally.  Shipping options include Airmail Parcel Post (for those who desire Insurance), and Airmail Letter Post (for those who do not want Insurance).

Payment for International Buyers:

For Buyers from outside the U.S., please use Paypal, and please pay in U.S. dollars. 

Any winning bidder is welcome to combine multiple items to save on shipping.

Thanks very much for looking, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me, I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Scott