Beatles LP "INTRODUCING THE BEATLES" VJLP-1062 Ver. 2 MONO Vee Jay Brackets

$

400

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Beatles LP "INTRODUCING THE BEATLES" - Vee Jay Records (MONO) Version 2 in Brackets - VJLP-1062.  EXCELLENT!  
This was an initial Pressing of this version which was an often Bootlegged LP.  This is a Version 2 which lists PLEASE, PLEASE ME and ASK ME WHY instead of the Version 1 variation which originally listed LOVE ME DO and P.S. I LOVE YOU.  It has the VEE JAY BRACKETS Label with RAINBOW color ring.
The Vinyl is really quite nice.  The naked eye does not detect any concerning issues on the vinyl and rates the record itself as EXCELLENT and one of the best we have seen. The outer jacket is also quite nice (has a small split in the lower right corner and what appears to be a small water stain there as well). Otherwise the cover is quite nice with no other signs of the normal wear one usually sees on these jackets.  Also, as for authenticity, it passes the all important and conclusive "HONEY" test which refers to the song title on the back of jacket listed as "A TASTE OF HONEY".  The letters "H"and "E" have no ink missing in the top left of each letter.  All fakes have ink missing there.  For a record issued in early 1964, this one is unbelievable!
You will be hard pressed to find one of these vinyls in much better condition.  Many others are listed, but not many vinyl versions of this LP can compare to this one.  If condition of vinyl is important to you, then this is the one to buy.  Very beautiful!  A real BEATLES collectors item!
Our Catalog # 1A-V2 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you wish to know if you have an authentic copy of "INTRODUCING ... THE BEATLES", here are some interesting facts about the history of this Album and how to spot "FAKES".   First and foremost, genuine copies of any version of this album must have “INTRODUCING … THE BEATLES”  and  “THE BEATLES”  above the spindle hole.  If either phrase is below the spindle hole, it is a FAKE – no exceptions.  There were two (2) official versions of this LP – the VERSION 1 and the VERSION 2.  VERSION 1 – This version included the “AD BACK”, the “BLANK BACK” and the “COLUMN or TITLES ON BACK” variations.  All confirmed “AD BACK” covers have “PRINTED IN USA” on the front cover printed vertically in the lower left corner.  If this is missing, the “AD BACK” slick was undoubtedly removed from another Vee Jay album and pasted to the back of a less valuable later version.  This process often leaves tell-tale wrinkles on the border of the slick.  Contrary to popular belief, there were NEVER any versions of this LP released in 1963.  It is a fact that NO COPIES of “INTRODUCING  … THE BEATLES”  rolled out of Vee Jay Records until January 10, 1964.  The  FIRST VERSION 1 COVER or outer jacket prepared was called the “AD BACK” cover, VJ 1062 (1) MCI.  The back of the jacket featured color images of 25 Vee Jay albums. The Front has “PRINTED IN USA” in the lower left side printed vertically.  Although the VERSION 1 record itself has significant value, the majority of value for this variation is driven by this cover. 

b.)  The SECOND VERSION 1 COVER for this LP was known as the “BLANK BACK” featuring a completely blank back of the outer jacket with a semi-glossy all white paper slick pasted there.  Some of these covers (MC2A) do have “PRINTED IN USA” on the front like the “AD BACK” while others (MC2B) do not.  Once again the majority of value here is for the cover like that of the “AD BACK”. 

c.)   The THIRD VERSION 1 COVER  issued was known as the “COLUMN BACK” or “TITLES ON BACK” cover.  It listed song titles on the back in two (2) columns.  This variation (in MONO) came with either the “Oval” logo label or the Black Rainbow with Vee Jay (VJ) in “Brackets”.  Any authentic copy of the STEREO version of this variation is extremely rare since there were millions of counterfeits that tried to mimic this cover.  These fake covers are typically found with records that are clearly counterfeit since in all cases, “THE BEATLES” always appears below the spindle hole.  And if the record is a fake, the cover can’t be far behind. 

LABELS – The initial label for this first run was the Black Rainbow label with the “Oval” logo.  The records themselves were referred to as VERSION 1 including song titles “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE YOU” replaced on the later VERSION 2 pressings by “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME WHY”.  The VERSION 2 was not released until the beginning of February 1964. There are three (3) typesetting variations with the “Oval” label for this version.  The MR1A has “LONG PLAYING” and “MICROGROOVE” in upper and lower case letters. MR1B does not have “LONG PLAYING” or “MICROGROOVE”, and MR1C has these words but only in upper case letters.

VERSION 2 – Here again, all authentic versions must have “INTRODUCING  … THE BEATLES”  and “THE BEATLES”  above the spindle hole.  If either phrase is below the spindle hole, it is a fake.  The VERSION 2 variation featured song titles “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME WHY” which replaced “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE YOU” found on the earlier VERSION 1 copies and was released in the beginning of February 1964.  The labels varied with either the Black Rainbow “Oval” logo, the Black Rainbow “BRACKETS” logo, the Black Background with Silver “VJ” logo, the Black Background with Silver “Oval” logo, the Black Background with Silver “VJ” in Block Style print, and the Black Background with Silver “Oval” logo (very rare). In rare cases, some VERSION 2 records can be found with a 45 rpm label on them as well (Black Rainbow with “Oval” logo).  There are also FAKES featuring a Medium Sized SILVER BRACKETS LOGO printed on an all Black label (Real ones have a smaller logo).  All VERSION 2 covers are “Column Back / Titles on Back”.  (NOTE:  There are no known copies of a STEREO “VERSION 2” disc with a regular sized Rainbow label with the “Oval” logo). 

SOME TESTS FOR AUTHENTICITY 

TEST #1 – The most obvious test for authenticity (and not necessarily) is the “SHADOW” test.  It was thought for years that if GEORGE HARRISON’S shadow appeared on the right side of the Front of any album cover, it was an automatic sign of authenticity.  It was discovered later that some elaborate fakes also had this feature therefore although the shadow must be there, its appearance alone does not define the LP as being authentic. 

TEST #2 – A most conclusive test is the “HONEY” test.  This test refers the back side of the outer jacket and the song title “A TASTE OF HONEY”.  On ALL FAKES, in the letters “H” and “E”, the top left corners of each letter is not solidly printed in black with ink missing there.  This is probably THE most definitive test for authenticity since NO FAKE HAS EVER PASSED THIS PARTICULAR TEST. 

TEST #3 – The “Flap Test”.  This is a test that requires the inspection of the inside of the cardboard jacket at the opening.  The original VERSION 1 covers were manufactured in late December of 1963 and/or early January of 1964.  Almost all covers assembled at that time have 1/4” flaps at the top and bottom of inner portion of the cardboard jacket.  The FAKES either no flaps, 1/2” flaps or a 1/4” flap only at the bottom.  It should be noted that exceptions to this rule have been discovered over the years which makes this particular test not 100% conclusive in that some VERSION 2 covers also do not have any flaps. 

TEST #4 – Read the “Trail Off Area”.  This area of the record on FAKES is generally wider than legitimate copies.  On GENUINE copies, this area varies between 3/4” and 7/8” whereas on FAKES it is often anywhere from 1” to 1 1/4”.  Most (but not all) legitimate albums have raised relief machine stamped logos in their “Trail Off” areas.  Because these machine stampings are very difficult to duplicate, FAKES very often have no markings or hand scratched markings.  The most common machine stampings are those from Audio Matrix (AR) or the ARP logo. 

TEST #5 – Another characteristic of a FAKE is that they are normally made with a much thinner vinyl than real copies.  Check for thickness by comparing an LP that is in doubt to a known legitimate copy and you will see the difference. 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE .... that THE most counterfeited version of this LP was the STEREO variation of the VERSION 1 “Column Back” album.  All FAKES feature song titles on the outer jacket and the record label to include “LOVE ME DO” and “P.S. I LOVE YOU”.  However when you play a FAKE, these songs are NOT on the disc.  Instead you will hear “PLEASE PLEASE ME” and “ASK ME WHY”.  Also you will note that although the outer jacket has the word “STEREOPHONIC” spelled out across the top of the Front cover in Gray on a White background, you do NOT find the word STEREO anywhere on the record label.  Of course, the other tests listed herein should be tried if you wish to know if your LP is a real one.

We hope that the information provided here is helpful to those who are not certain what they have in their possession. There have been many additional theories over the years with respect to authenticity.  Unfortunately some of those theories have now been proven to be unreliable due to the fact that they lack 100% certainty.  Therefore we will not debate nor discuss them since they are no longer relevant.  If you would like additional information on whether or not you have a FAKE in your possession, we would be happy to view any photos you could forward to us.  There is no charge to assist anyone in the authentication process.  We are happy to do it!