The White Album 1/1/1/1

This numbered stereo pressing plays with fantastic audio and the fully laminated 'top loading' gatefold has only one obvkious area of shelf wear only.  It includes the four John Kelly Portraits, the collage/lyric poster and black inner sleeves. 

This one is numbered 0352488 so considering the stereo pressings started around the 300,000 figure this is definitely one of the earlier ones which is further confirmed by the 1/1/1/1 matrix, the later ones are 1/1/1/2.   Each side only has two stampers also.  Interestingly, the second pressings were actually produced in the same month (Nov '68) as the first pressings.

Second stereo pressing on Apple Records.  'An EMI Recording' text on the labels and 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions'.  No tax code on the labels.

Apple Records PCS 7067/8

YEX 709-1 / YEX 710-1 / YEX 711-1 / YEX 712-1 // AL 4 / MR 4 / LO 4 / OP 6

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority) 

S2 is Near Mint (Ex+ on the two louder tracks)

S3 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority )

S4 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex-

One black inner sleeve is VG+ the other VG

The labels are Near Mint

The four portraits are Near Mint-

The poster is Ex

 Visual grading

  The first vinyl does have a number of small, faint 'mottling' marks but the good news is that they have no affect on the stunning audio whatsoever.  This is more prevalent on S1 I would say.  There are a few faint hairlines with one longer one on S2 but again the audio is not affected.  The second vinyl is in lovely condition with only a small number of very faint hairlines and a little 'mottling' on S3 again.  Do not let this put you off as the mottling is only faint and the audio is of a superb standard as detailed below!  There is some spindle wear but not a great amount so the vinyls have not been 'overplayed'.  This is one reason why they have maintained their fantastic audio quality.

Play grading

S1 begins with a superb version of 'Back In The U.S.S.R.'.  With barely any lead in static on the 'jet engine' the track plays with stunning stereo sound and no distortion.  'Dear Prudence' is another fine example of how well this album has been preserved.  The clarity is so good that I am confident in grading this as Near Mint.  'Glass Onion' and 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' both impress with stunning depth and warmth and no interference again.  Thus far there is practically no static on the run ins and run outs, absolutely incredible.  This quality continues although '...Bungalow Bill' does perhaps have a little distortion on the top end but that is commonplace on the early pressings I find.  I would say the classic 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' plays in a similar way.  It still plays with wonderful clarity but with a little distortion mainly on the vocal.  What is impressive is that the long fade out has no 'background' whatsoever.  'Happiness is a Warm Gun' ends the side with no interference apart from some 'top end' distortion but again as any Beatles collector will know this is always the case on this track.  It is worth pointing out that there is no intrusive interference on this side whatsoever and the clarity is stunning.  Not one single click or pop and no static or crackle.  An incredible start to such an iconic album.

The piano intro on 'Martha My Dear' plays superbly with barely any static and continues in the same vein and again no clicks or pops just  3/4 mega light dust ticks.  This quality continues throughout S2 and 'Blackbird', one of the quieter tracks, is immaculate and easily grades as Near Mint if not better!  The sonic quality is just breathtaking.  The little classic 'Piggies' is another outstanding highlight with no 'background'.  Wow!  The louder tracks such as 'Don't Pass Me By' again have a little distortion but there is no other 'background' and they still play with great power and range.  What is very impressive is how well the quieter tracks sound.  'I Will' plays beautifully and 'Julia' ends the side with nigh on perfect audio.  For a final track on any side to play this well is such a rarity and is quite possibly the best version I have heard on such an early pressing.  A mega tiny hint of static that is barely worth mentioning really - not one single click!  A stunning end to this side.  I cannot stress just how good the clarity is on this record so far!

'Birthday' on S3 is astounding!  The power and depth throughout is of the highest standard and plays as Mint without doubt.  No 'background' or distortion and the bass is so strong in the mix.  'Yer Blues' practically equals that standard with only a couple of light clicks literally on the fade out.  'Mother Nature's Son' is again sublime in its clarity, not one single click.  I do not think I have heard this super quiet song play with such breathtaking quality and to think this vinyl is very nearly 50 years old!  '...Monkey' has superlative audio and there is also no distortion which is a rarity for this powerful track.  This dynamic quality continues and even 'Helter Skelter' sounds incredible with relatively little distortion.  As an example of this impeccable audio the first fade out has no 'background' at all, this truly is a superb version.  'Long, Long, Long' is yet another highlight and ends the side with wonderful sound.  There are a couple of quiet dull clicks but barely any static and this is a fantastic end to a side that has more or less total silence between tracks.  Absolutely stunning, phew!

Gatefold cover

Overall this iconic G & L laminated 'top loading' gatefold has only a little shelf wear and has been maintained very well.  It is certainly very clean and there is no marking.  The top edges have light handling wear but most of the wear is limited to the bottom of the spine where there is some rubbing/creasing/splitting of the laminate.  A shame really because aside from that the spine remains in excellent shape with only a small amount of creasing on the top corner.  The right hand corners have only a little rubbing/creasing.  Elsewhere the laminate is in excellent condition with only a little creasing.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition overall with no marking, just some wear at the bottom of the inner spine.  The flipbacks are in excellent order with hardly any staining and a small number of creases only.  The back cover is very clean with only one obvious crease and some odd yellowing/fading running down the right hand side.

Black inner sleeves

They have seen better days but at least they're there!  One has one split on the side and the other has three splits plus one small tear on the inner circle.

The labels

The Apple labels have no marking/writing just some spindle wear, although not an excessive amount.  No tax code.

The Portraits & Poster

The four photos have only very minor creasing on some of the corners, very small though.  The lyric/collage poster is in excellent shape overall with no splits and only a small number of faint marks on the lyric side.  At some point it has been on a wall as there faint marking in the corners caused by blu-tac.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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