The Beatles : Beatles For Sale 4N / 3N 1st Crossover Mono Press

This is a first variation of the original first press with the 4N/3N matrix.  It plays to a wonderful standard overall with barely any 'background' and only a little of the usual inner groove distortion that you find when you play mono records through a stereo set up.

The labels have 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the rim and 'Recording first published 1964'.  The KT tax code is stamped on the S1 label.  The G&L cover has an outline 'mono' on the front.

The laminated cover is in superb shape with very little of the wear that you so often see.  They are rarely found as good as this today.  The original Emitex inner is also in greta condition with only one mega tiny side split.

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PMC 1240 // XEX 503 - 4N / XEX 504 - 3N // GPD 25 / GMO 28

The audio on S1 is Near Mint- (Track 6 Ex+ / T7 Ex)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint- (Mint- in many sections / T6 Ex / T7 Ex+)  

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Ex+

The Emitex inner sleeve is Ex

The vinyl has a very healthy glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  There are a number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on both sides and whilst it has obviously been played a number of times it has been looked after very well.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.  The run out grooves have some hairline marks but are very clean as are the original yellow/black Parlophone labels.

Play grading

S1 begins superbly with 'No Reply' which plays with barely any static and there are no clicks or pops and no crackle either.  The clarity is very impressive and this is easily a Near Mint start to the album.

'I'm A Loser' if anything plays even better as the depth and clarity here is outstanding.  There is no 'background' not even a dust tick and the fade out also plays with perfect precision.  A stunning Mint- version.

'Baby's In Black' also plays with exceptional quality with no interference.  There is just a minor hint of static in the background but it is so minor and 100% non-intrusive.  I'm too honest for my own good sometimes!  Still a highly commendable Near Mint track.

'Rock And Roll Music' is loud and true with only a minimal amount of distortion.  It plays with great audio and remember any minor distortion will be removed when played on a mono system.  I'm playing it on a stereo set up.  Near Mint-

'I'll Follow The Sun' plays so well for a quiet track with no obvious 'background'.  There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of barely audible dust ticks.  The clarity is excellent and this deserves another Near Mint- grade.

'Mr. Moonlight' has no interference as such but there is a little groove distortion which is to be expected of course.  In a sense it should not be downgraded but I will grade as Ex+ just to be on the safe side.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle.

'Kansas City' ends the side with excellent audio but with a little more obvious distortion.  No clicks or pops etc and Ex is a fair assessment.

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The quiet intro on the classic 'Eight Days A Week' has only a couple of dust ticks and it then plays to a wonderful standard with no 'background' whatsoever.  The clarity cannot be faulted and qualifies as Mint- it is practically 'as new'.

'Words Of Love' plays extremely well with only a very light touch of static in the background.  It certainly isn't intrusive and the playback is very strong and deserves a Near Mint- grade.

The definition of the audio on 'Honey Don't' is fantastic!  You can hear each note so clearly and there is just no interference of any kind.  This is a sensational Mint- version I don't think I've heard a better rendition.

'Every Little Thing' again has no interference and only very minimal distortion.  I can't say I like using that word as it makes it sound so much worse than it is!  This track still plays with great clarity and Near Mint- is about right.

The acoustic intro on 'I Don't Want To Spoil The Party' plays perfectly and it then proceeds with superb clarity and depth.  Near Mint without a doubt.

'What You're Doing' for a penultimate track plays with very little inner groove distortion and the only real negative is a couple of very light clicks near the half way mark.  Aside from that it plays very clearly with no obvious intrusion.  Ex overall but with many sections better than that.

'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' ends the album in fine style with very impressive Ex+ audio and no interference.  Yes a little distortion but it is kept to a minimum.  

In summary this crossover first pressing plays with excellent quality and barring a couple of gentle clicks on S2 there is hardly any 'background'.  There is a little distortion towards the end but this is vinyl AND a mono record on a stereo system!  It has to be expected.  I think one of the stand out factors of this LP is the condition of the album.  It is perhaps the hardest in The Beatles catalogue to find in ex/nm condition and yet this one has been preserved very well with only minor wear.

The Gatefold

As stated this laminated G&L cover has minimal little wear and has been very well cared for down the years.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the wide spine with the pinched ends is in superb shape with hardly any wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have only minimal rubbing, very minimal!  Nothing to worry about.  The front cover is very clean with only a couple of minor laminate creases and the back cover has just one very faint crease and a small number of the usual laminate creases around the edges.  Neither the front or back have any marking.  The inside is in lovely condition with no marking and none of the wear on the spine that you so often see.  The flipbacks are so clean with barely any marking and remain firmly attached to the cover.  A fine example overall.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels do have some spindle wear but there is no other marking or writing and they are both very clean.  They have lost none of their original colour.  The KT tax stamp is on the S1 label.

The Inner Sleeve

The original Emitex inner has only minimal creasing and just the one very small 2cm side split.  With only a couple of minor marks it is in excellent condition.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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