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

This very early pressing plays to a superb standard and the vinyl is visually very impressive with no marks or scratches and only a small number of faint hairlines.  There is also very little spindle wear so I suspect it has not been played too often.

This is the second pressing on the yellow/black Parlophone label but of course there were two previous ones on the gold/black label so strictly speaking this is a fourth pressing.

This pressing has a 1/1 matrix and the labels have 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the rim and 'Recording first published 1963' also.  The KT tax code is stamped on the S1 label.  The E.J. Day cover has a large 'mono' on the front.

The laminated cover is in lovely condition and has been so well preserved down the years and rarely found as 'clean' as this today.  The original Emitex inner is also in superb order with no splits.

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PMC 1202 // XEX 421 - 1N / XEX 422 - 1N // RRM 1 0 / RMO 1 4

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

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 Near Mint-) 

The cover is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The Emitex inner is Ex+

For a vinyl approaching 60 years of age it is lovely condition with only some minor hairlines.  There are no marks or scratches and it has received very little play judging by the clarity and the lack of spindle wear.  S1 in particular is visually stunning with only a couple of small hairlines and whilst S2 has a few more hairlines they have no affect on the audio.  The run out grooves have only a small number of light 'hairlines' and the yellow/black Parlophone labels are in superb condition with no marking.

Play grading

The 1,2,3,4 to signal the start of 'I Saw Her Standing There' has no 'background' which gives you a good idea of the clarity on offer here.  It then proceeds to play with 'high end' audio and no interference at all, not even a dust tick.  A stunning Mint- version for sure.

'Misery' plays with great distinction and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Remember this vinyl is 57 years old this year so for it to play this well is a rarity indeed.  I 'clean' every record I sell so that helps but the record still has to have been well preserved and this one certainly has!  Mint-.

'Anna (Go To Him)' plays beautifully with remarkable clarity for a relatively quiet track.  With only a handful of barely audible dust ticks this could hardly play any better and easily deserves a Mint- grade.  

'Chains' is of the same standard with no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  The long fade out also plays with immaculate precision.  A fine Mint- version.

For a louder track 'Boys' plays superbly and rarely has no distortion on the vocal.  You'd expect by now there would be some inner groove distortion but there is barely any here.  The definition of the audio is so good and this grades as per the previous tracks.  Another perfect fade out also.

'Ask Me Why' has one mega quiet tick on the intro which you could easily miss!  Thereafter it plays exceptionally with very little distortion which may only be there because I am playing this mono record through a stereo set up.  There are no clicks or pops etc but will grade as Near Mint just to be cautious.

'Please Please Me' ends the side with very clear audio but with a little more inner groove distortion which is to be expected.  Don't let this put you off as the sound quality is still very strong.  I am just honest in my assessment and will write anything that I hear.  There is distinctly less distortion here than on many I have heard.

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The harmonica intro on 'Love Me Do' plays perfectly and continues in much the same way.  There is one minor click towards the end but that is the only 'background' across the entire track.  Near Mint-

'P.S. I Love You' is nigh on perfect with only one very faint tick in the middle section.  I only mention it to be 'complete' in my grading as in all honesty you could miss it because it so quiet!  Near Mint

'Baby It's You' plays with stunning clarity from start to finish.  There's a real depth to this track and the playback is so impressive.  Not one tick or click etc and this grades as Mint- the audio could not be any better.

The intro on 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' is so 'clean' with no static at all and continues to play to a Mint- standard.  There is no interference and the clarity cannot be faulted in any way.

'Taste Of Honey' plays with great precision throughout and again there is no interference.  Mint-

'There's A Place' only has a minimal amount of inner groove distortion but as I said before this could be reduced when played as 'mono' record.  It is only minor and with no 'background' this grades as Near Mint the playback is very strong.

The classic 'Twist And Shout' begins perfectly and plays with dynamic power throughout.  Whilst there is a little vocal distortion it is kept to a minimum and the audio is very impressive indeed.  This track can often be unlistenable due to the distortion but this is a superb version that you can easily turn up to loud!  A Near Mint end to the album.

In summary when this classic debut album plays to a wonderful standard and with no real negatives.  There is just the one light click but it is barely intrusive and the clarity on both sides is stunning.  What you also notice is the more or less complete silence in the dead wax between the tracks - another indicator of the clarity on offer.  There is no static or crackle and very little inner groove distortion.  This is an album that has been very well cared for down the decades and as can be seen the cover is also in superb shape with very little wear.

The Cover

This is a very impressive E.J. Day cover and one of the cleanest you will find.  The edges have no rubbing and only the corners have a little wear/creasing.  The spine is in great shape with no marking and the opening edges has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover is very clean with no marking and only two small sticker removal marks in the top corners.  There is a small crease next to the opening edge but it is minor.  There is no laminate lifting or laminate splitting.  The back cover is in fantastic condition, it is so white!  It has none of the marking that you regularly see and whilst there is a little corner wear you won't find many better!  The flipbacks are so clean and the bottom one only has a faint impression of the where the vinyl has pressed against it.  A lovely example of this iconic cover.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are in superb condition condition with no marking or writing and very little spindle wear as stated.  They have lost none of their original colour.  The KT tax stamp is on the S1 label.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve has no side splits and only minimal creasing.

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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