The Beatles : Please Please Me 1N/1N 4th Mono Press 1963

This very early fourth mono pressing or second press on the yellow Parlophone label plays to a wonderful standard with barely any interference.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion.  It has not been played that often judging by the sonic quality and the spindle wear and is easily one of the 'cleanest' examples I have seen or heard in many a year.  The vinyl is visually very impressive with only minor marking and 'gleams' so well and has been so well preserved down the years.

The iconic cover (with large Mono on the front) is in fantastic condition with hardly any wear.  It is still very strong and robust which can only mean it has hardly been handled down the years and just look at how clean the 'white' back cover is!  The original Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

As stated this is only the second pressing on the Parlophone label as it has 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the perimeter edge, the 1N/1N matrix and a large Mono on the front cover.  This pressing was produced between summer '63 and January '64 so you can see just how early it is.  The first mono on the black/gold label was only released in March '63!

I prefer not to use the term 'rare' but I do think this fourth pressing is rarely found as good as this today.

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // GPD 1 7 / GPD 4 G

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 & T6 Near Mint / T7 Ex+) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / T5 & T6 Near Mint- / T7 Ex+) 

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Ex+

The Emitex inner is Near Mint-

This vinyl is in lovely condition for its age and still has a stunning glossy sheen with no scratches.  S1 has two thumbnail type hairline marks and a couple more smaller hairlines but they have no affect on the audio at all.  The grooves are so incredibly clean, there is no groove wear, and apart from these minor markings it really is in fantastic shape.  S2 has 3/4 longer faint hairlines and a section of very faint 'sweep' type hairline marking but again this has no impact on the quality of the audio, this marking is superficial.  This side is still a very clean example of its type.  The run out grooves are in excellent order with only some minor hairlines on S2 and the matrix info can clearly be seen.  This particular copy does not have a KT code on it.  The labels have no marking or writing and not very much spindle wear on S1 and even less on S2.   In summary it isn't perfect but it is certainly one of the cleanest fourth mono pressings you will find today.  It 'gleams' beautifully!

Play grading  

From the 1,2,3,4 countdown intro to the final note 'I Saw Her Standing There' plays with stunning quality with no sign of any interference.  There are ticks, clicks or pops and the clarity is very impressive to say the least.  This track was recorded 'loud' and there is no distortion on the top end and it is worth noting that I am playing this record through a stereo system.  In my opinion this is a Mint- start to the album.

There is near silence in the dead giving a good indication of the clarity on offer here.  'Misery' then plays with sublime clarity and again there is no interference.  The vocals are of course so high in the mix on this album and yet so far the playback is so 'clean' and precise.  No distortion just pure Mint- audio from start to finish including the fade out.  Indeed at the end of the fade out you can still make out the very faint 'clatter' type sound - as if an instrument is being put down.  This album was recorded so quickly so it is not surprising extraneous noises were included!

From start to finish 'Anna (Go To Him)' plays so well with no 'background' of any kind.  If I was being super critical there is just a hint of barely audible distortion so will grade as Near Mint - so minimal and hardly worth a mention!

The 'harmonica' intro on 'Chains' plays with stunning precision and it continues to play with a clarity and definition that defies the age of the album.  No ticks or clicks etc and another Mint- track I am pleased to say.  Plus another immaculate fade out.

'Boys' often plays with a fair amount of inner groove distortion but unless my ears deceive me there is none here at at all.  It is such a powerful track with an equally powerful vocal from Ringo and yet the audio is spectacular!  The power and clarity here cannot be underestimated - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and grades as Mint-

'Ask Me Why' once more plays with genuine quality from the first note to the last.  Perhaps I am being too harsh but is there just a touch of vocal distortion here?  I'm not so sure but I will grade as Near Mint just to be on the safe side.

The intro on 'Please Please Me' is 'as new' and as this is the final track you would definitely expect some inner groove distortion.  However, it really is kept to a minimum and you can still play this iconic track 'loud' without having to turn it down immediately.  Perhaps I should not downgrade as such because when played as a 'mono' record I'm sure the sonic quality will improve.  Don't get me wrong this is still damn good!  Ex+

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The classic harmonica intro on 'Love Me Do' could not play any better and the remainder plays to a wonderful standard also.  I heard a couple of very minor ticks but the clarity throughout is again so impressive.  This is so close to Mint- but I will grade as Near Mint - a stunning version nonetheless.

'P.S. I Love You' is nigh on perfect with only a minimal touch of vocal distortion but again perhaps it doesn't warrant a mention.  I am nothing if not 100% honest with my gradings!  There is no underlying static and of course there are no clicks or pops.  Near Mint

'Baby It's You' plays so clearly without any interference, another sign that this vinyl has been so well preserved down the years.  Each note is so sharp and precise and I only noticed an almost imperceptible amount of mega light static in a couple of places.  Mint-

The vocal intro on 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' has just a minimal amount of light background static and then plays with imperious quality from that point on.  It's not often you find this second pressing on the yellow Parlophone label playing with such precision and this is undeniably a Near Mint version if not better.

'A Taste Of Honey' plays with great quality and with only the lightest of background static every now and then.  And I do mean very light!  The sonic quality is still so strong and Near Mint- is about right. 

'There's A Place' plays so well considering it is the penultimate track.  There is only very minimal inner groove distortion - so minor and in no way does it intrude on the quality of the listen.  I'm sure being played as a 'mono' record would enhance the audio quality but again this is still a very impressive version.  Near Mint-

'Twist And Shout' is often unplayable due to so much distortion but this is a very strong version.  There is only minimal vocal distortion and I was still able to play it 'loud'.  Ex+ has to be an honest appraisal of the audio.

In summary this very collectable early pressing plays to a 'high end' standard with no obvious interference truth be told.  You can see it has been played a few times but it has lost very little of its original sonic quality and there is not a single click or pop on either side.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is very impressive and as stated there is only very minimal inner groove distortion.  It has to be one of the finest mono pressings I have heard and as detailed below the cover is in superb condition also!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated E.J. Day cover is in lovely condition with barely any shelf wear, it really has been so well preserved over the last 57 years!  The top edge is near perfect with just one not very obvious and very small sections of laminate lift and a couple of even smaller rough feeling areas.  These are so minor and hardly worth a mention.  The bottom edge is indeed in perfect order and the thin pinched spine is in remarkable condition for its age.  Only the bottom corner has a minor amount of wear and apart from that it looks 'as new'.  The other corners are in superb shape with barely any rubbing/creasing and the opening edge is so clean with hardly any handling wear.  The laminated front cover is in fantastic condition with no creasing and only a few of the usual faint creases around the edges.  In a sense the back cover is even more impressive as it isn't laminated and is just so unbelievably clean.  Just to the left of the PMC1202 catalogue number there is written 32/- which of course refers to the price in 'old money'.  I kind of like that as it sort authenticates the album!  The flipbacks are still very firmly attached with none of the staining that you so often see on the edges.  This is a stunning example of this iconic cover and I honestly believe it deserves a Near Mint- grade.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in great condition with no side splits or tears, hardly any creasing and just a couple of minor 'spots'.  One of the best you will find.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // GPD 1 7 / GPD 4 G

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!