The Beatles, Beatles For Sale: RARE UK ORIGINAL MONO Press * SQUARE SPINE *

	£		35
	$		46

For sale is a copy of The Beatles third studio album, Beatles For Sale.

This is an original UK 1st Pressing produced in 1964 which features the sought-after yellow and black Parlophone labels.

Beatles For Sale was one of the first pop albums with a gatefold sleeve.

The sleeve is often damaged as the front of the gatefold is quite flimsy; this copy is in great shape maintaining a square spine with pinched ends without any damage.

The original owner obviously took great care of this album as the record is also in fantastic condition with EXCELLENT playback.

Please see below for further details.

The matrix numbers confirm that this record is a 2nd pressing:

·      Side 1: XEX 503-4N & 2 RTO mother stampers

·      Side 2: XEX 504-4N & 1 RLH mother stampers

We can understand the above as follows. Songs were recorded using 4, 8, or 16 track tape. The sound is transferred from a tape by a lacquer engineer to a 'lacquer', sometimes referred to as a 'master plate'. Master plates are used to create 'mother plates' and mother plates are used to create 'stampers'. Stampers are then used to press grooves into vinyl. EMI used the code: GRAMOPHLTD to denote the stamper plate used, where G=1, R=2 ... D=0.Using this, we can say that:

• XEX 503 & XEX 504 are the lacquer reference numbers. 
• The mother plates were created from the fourth (-4/-4) master plates. The third master plates produced were used to create the first pressing sold.
• The stamper for side 1 were created from the second (2) mother plate. 
• The stamper for side 2 was created from the first (1) mother plate.
• Side 1 was pressed using the RTO = 295th stamper plate.
• Side 2 was pressed using the RLH = 287th stamper plate. 

There are several details which identify this copy as having 2nd variation labels and the corresponding, original sleeve. They are:

·      Front and back laminated gatefold Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve. 

·      Medium size ‘outline’ MONO printed on the top right-hand corner on the front of the sleeve.

·      Black labels with yellow Parlophone logo.

·      Label text printed in sans serif font.

·      ‘Recording first published 1964’ printed over two lines on the label.

·      Perimeter text that beings: “THE PARLOPHONE CO …”

I try to take pictures which provide a fair representation of the condition of a record and the sleeve. If interested, please read below for a detailed discussion including an audio description. 

I use the Goldmine standard as a reference for grading. 

Vinyl: VERY GOOD +

The record is in fantastic visual condition and has superb playback.

The vinyl surface retains the original gloss sheen.

The labels are bright and clean and have minimal spindle wear. 

There are several subtle hairline marks which can be picked up in bright light and one or two that are more visually noticeable. 

Despite this, the playback is EXCELLENT throughout the majority of tracks with crisp vocals and punchy instrumentation.

There is minimal dust crackle and there are no skips or jumps.

Sleeve: VERY GOOD +

The sleeve is in great condition.

The front and rear are both very clean and maintain the original bright colours.

There is a small bubble to the top right-hand corner of the front of the sleeve.

The sleeve has the rare square spine with pinched ends.

Unlike the majority of Beatles For Sale sleeves the spine is not ripped at the top and bottom.

The corners are strong, and the spine and edges are sharp.

There are no rips, tears or writing present anywhere on the sleeve. 

Inner Sleeve: Excellent

The inner sleeve is the original polythene lined ‘protect your records’ Emitex copy. 

It is very white with minimal staining or discolouration. 

Also included in the sale is an audiophile quality inner sleeve which provides the best possible protection for the record. 

This is a great opportunity to buy an early Beatles record that is in fantastic condition. Very few copies of this original record are still in such great condition. This is a superb addition to any Beatles collection!

The album is housed within a premium quality polythene outer sleeve.

The vinyl will be packaged separate to the sleeve. 

The album will be sent within a padded vinyl record mailer. 

For UK shipments I use a Royal Mail insured service.  

Similar insured postage will be utilised for international shipments. Please wait for an invoice if successful to ensure accurate postage costs.  

If you have any questions, please ask!  

Check out my other items. I’m selling some rarities from my collection!