The Beatles, Fan Club Xmas Flexi Discs * MINT * MAILERS & INSERTS * 1966-1969 *

	£		620
	$		822

The Beatles - Fan Club Christmas Flexi-Discs
I am delighted to present for sale this unbelievable collection of Beatles fan club flexi-discs from the years 1966 - 1969. 
Included in the sale are the original named mailers and inserts for three of the flexi-discs: 1966, 1967 & 1968. 
All of the mailers are named to the same individual. The sleeves, discs and inserts are all in as-new mint condition. Given the fragility of both the flexi-disc, paper inserts and thin card sleeves it is incredible that they have survived almost 60 years in this condition. They look simply superb.
Christmas flex-discs are rarely sold complete with mailers and inserts, rarely sold in Mint condition, and extremely rarely sold as a single owner set. To find a collection that meets all of these benchmarks is virtually unheard of.
History:
Due to the meteoric rise in popularity of the Beatles in 1963, an official fan-club was started. Members of the fan club received exclusive letters, magazines, pictures, posters and much more, even opportunities to meet the band. At Christmas the four members recorded a one-sided flexi-disc of (supposedly) off-the-cuff gaffs, chats and tunes where the Beatles (were to told) thanked their devoted fans for, well, their devotion. This was sent to all members of the fan club free of charge.
Although they are rather crass, they are absolutely hilarious to listen to. The first three or four feature scripted dialogue which the four band members fail rather miserably to communicate in a convincing way. They sound like school boys being told to read a passage from To Kill a Mockingbird in English class. 
However, the band begin to take the Christmas message a bit more seriously and start scripting rather amusing skits, generally some form of mockery and a little tit-bit tune.
Each year a paper insert was included with the flexi-disc. This was usually a newsletter but sometimes an advert for exclusive photographs or the like. 
Details & Condition:
1966: 
Catalogue Number: LYN 1145
Matrix Number: LYN 1145-2O
MacNeill Press Ltd. 'Pantomime' Sleeve.
Date stamped record mailer & double sided 'National Newsletter' insert included.
Condition:
Sleeve: Mint-. As new. No creasing, no discolouration. Perfect.
Flexi-disc: Mint-. Looks as I imagine it did as new. A few light marks to the un-pressed rear but I have never seen a copy without these.
Insert: Mint- No creasing, rips or tears. No staining or discolouration.
1967: 
Catalogue Number: LYN 1360
Matrix Number: LYN 1360-1L
Unbranded sleeve design by John & Julian Lennon, and Ringo Starr.
Date stamped record mailer & single sided 'National Newsletter' included.
Condition:
Sleeve: Mint-. As new. No creasing, no discolouration. Perfect.
Flexi-disc: Mint-. Looks as I imagine it did as new. A few light marks to the un-pressed rear but I have never seen a copy without these.
Insert: Mint- No creasing, rips or tears. No staining or discolouration.
1968: 
Catalogue Number: LYN 1743 & LYN 1744
Matrix Number: LYN 1743-1L & LYN 1744-1L
Unbranded and uncredited sleeve with 'psychadelic' pattern design.
Date stamped record mailer & double sided 'superpix' advert for Beatles photographs. 
Sleeve: Mint-. As new. No creasing, no discolouration. Perfect.
Flexi-disc: EXCELLENT. The only one to show any handling. One or two finger marks have reacted with the ink on the stamped 'label'. Otherwise faultless.
Insert: Mint- No creasing, rips or tears. No staining or discolouration.

1969: 
Catalogue Number: LYN 1970 & LYN 1971
Matrix Number: LYN 1970-1L & LYN 1971-1L
West Brother Sleeve designed by Richard & Zak Starkey. 
No record mailer or insert included.
Sleeve: Mint-. As new. No creasing, no discolouration. Perfect.
Flexi-disc: Mint-. Looks as I imagine it did as new. 

Please note: the flexi-disc conditions presented above are visual only. I never play flexi-discs as I understand that every play degrades the audio reproduction. Personally, I view the collection as a cultural and historic document rather than a record to listen to. If I ever wanted to listen to listen to the Christmas recording I would listen to From Then To You. (See my other listings for a fantastic copy of this record!). However, if played, I have no reason to believe that they wouldn't sound as-new as there are no visible marks to the surface of the discs. 

The items will be sent via an insured courier in a padded mailer.
Please see my other listings for other Beatles fan club rarities. 
Buy from a trusted seller.