Beatles LP 1967 Meet the Beatles MONO Strange PROMO Hybrid Multiple Plants VG++

$

77

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles LP 1967 Meet the Beatles! MONO Strange Hybrid Multiple Plants, VG++!

I’ve never seen another copy like this one.  In fact, there are so many disparate plant elements to it that I have no idea where this one was pressed.  Read on:

**1.  The concentric circle on the labels are definitely from the Capitol plant’s lathes.

**2.  But the Side 1 dead wax has the very late 1967 tiny hand-etched letter “R” in the dead wax from the RCA plant, as opposed to the familiar medium-sized, thin hand-etched letter “R.”

**3.  Side 1 plate number uses the alpha-numerical codes that was definitely used by Decca’s in-house numbering system with the T1 prefix and the “P” plate suffix.

**4.  Side 2 dead wax has the Scranton “IAM” machine-stamped triangle.  But the alpha-numerical code is the latest Decca-assigned number I’ve ever seen, which is P-25.  Now, that definitely has to be a 1967 plate.

**5.  Both sides use the second 1964-1966 printed labels with 3 BMI and the rest ASCAP.  Must have been a leftover set.

**6.  The cover is a MONO promo cover with the 1967 ¼-inch hole punch!  Ever see a MONO cover with that hole?

**7.  RIAA is also strangely rare for a MONO cover.  AND for 1967.  Number 9 covers are supposed to have been printed at the Jacksonville plant, starting in 1968 when STEREO became the dominant format after MONO had been phased out on Dec. 31, 1967.  In other words, there weren’t supposed to be any MONO RIAA 9 covers.

With all that said, this copy has elements contributed from RCA, Decca, Scranton and Jacksonville.

Does anyone know which plant was the lead plant that issued it?  Please let me know.

Vinyl--- VG+/EX. If we split the difference, let’s call it a VG++ LP.  Side 1 has a moderate amount of light scuffs that can’t be felt with the fingertip, but still retains a good 85% original shine.  Side 2 has 3 very light angel hairs, and the rest is original shine.

Plates--- T1-2047-P15/ T2-2047-P25.  Side 1 has RCA’s hand-etched “R.”  Side 2 has Scranton’s machine-stamped triangle with the letters, “IAM” inside.

Cover--- VG.  Structurally strong.  Front cover has a crease just below John.  Light yellowing in the white areas.  Also has the promo hole in the brown letter “S.”

Back cover has yellowed a bit more than the front.  Small area of the mouth near the bottom that has pushed in.  Spine has some crinkled slick, but NO SPLIT SEAMS.

Labels--- NM/NM.  Both labels look freshly-printed, NO SPINDLE MARKS.

Capitol Inner Sleeve--- VG. Generic white inner sleeve with no die-cut hole for the labels to show is present.  Sleeve has moderately yellowed.  One side seam and the bottom seam have splits a few inches long.  Promo hole missed the inside of the sleeve, and is jagged at the top seam, though.

A generic inner sleeve will be provided, so as not to damage your original Capitol inner sleeve en route.

RIAA: 9

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

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