BEATLES A Hard Days Night LP 1964 UK RARE 1st Press MONO PMC 1230 super audio EX

	£		53
	$		70

THE BEATLES - A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

An increasingly rare (especially in this condition) and sought after copy of this 1964 UK MONO 1st pressing on the UK PARLOPHONE label, MONO, PMC 1230

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  XEX 481 - 3N  with stampers "3" and "A P A" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 2  XEX 482 - 3N  with stampers "1" and "A M A" at 8.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

Note the "-3N/-3N" matrix endings, each indicative of a very first UK pressing (there were no matrix numbers ending in either "-1N" or "-2N").

The appearance of the vinyl is EXCELLENT (at least). The heavy duty vinyl is flat and each side has retained virtually all of it's original beautiful glossy sheen. In normal daylight each side of the vinyl comes across as near perfect and it's only under a bright light that just a few superficial wispy hairlines and very faint paper scuff marks come into evidence but even these are purely superficial - there is certainly nothing "feelable" and the outstanding audio quality confirms this. Wonderful condition with jet black lacquer still fully intact - remarkable, and rare, for a 54 year old classic such as this.

The labels are excellent. Beautiful matt black background with silver text and the yellow "PARLOPHONE text and logo all as rich and clear as the day this record was bought! A couple of spindle trail traces on each side (even these are hard to locate) adjacent to the centre hole are the only signs of use. The "K" and "T" tax codes are sit proud and are clearly visible on the side 1 label. Note the presence of "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD...." text on the perimeter of the label, the "SOLD IN THE U.K. SUBJECT TO..." text across each label, the "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED..." text, and the "NORTHERN SONGS" credit each of which are indicative of a very first pressing. 

The front-laminated Garrod & Lofthouse outer sleeve is in excellent (at least) condition. All edges remain firm with no scuffing whatsoever, and that includes the rigid spine where all writing remains perfectly legible. Each corner remains a perfectly defined right angle, the reverse side flip backs are near perfect and remain fully functional with no tears or scuffs. There are no nasty marks, no age discolouration, no writing or doodles. All the colouring remains rich and vibrant and the photos remain crystal clear. There is just the hint of a little fraying/feathering on the front side opening edge but this is minor and on the reverse side there is a very light 8cm diagonal crease located at the bottom right corner. There are just a few, almost insignificant, 1cm laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the front side bottom and spine edges. The original price of "32/-" (32 shillings, that's £1.60) has been written in faint pencil on the reverse side - this will easily rub out but I have deliberately left it because, to me at least, it adds further authenticity to the origins of this record and reminds me of that golden 60's decade! Apart from that I'm  having difficulty finding any blemishes - yes, no doubt about it truly excellent is the correct grading!

Finally, the quality of the audio is again excellent+. Hard to fault in fact, with superb MONO tone and clarity, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips, no clicks, no pops, no background crackle (ok, perhaps just the hint of some very, very mild background static during a couple of the interludes - but that's it), just wonderful MONO audio quality throughout. Brilliant!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

2. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

3. IF I FELL

4. I'M HAPPY JUST TO DANCE WITH YOU

5. AND I LOVE HER

6. TELL ME WHY

7. CAN'T BUY ME LOVE

Side 2 :

1. ANY TIME AT ALL

2. I'LL CRY INSTEAD

3. THINGS WE SAID TODAY

4. WHEN I GET HOME

5. YOU CAN'T DO THAT

6. I'LL BE BACK

Comes complete with original die-cut "USE EMITEX" tracing paper lined inner which has no tears but does have a 10cm seam split on the bottom edge, and remains fully functional and in remarkably excellent overall condition. Note that I always post the record(s) in a new plain white inner sleeve(s) in order to protect the original(s).

In summary a truly EXCELLENT copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1964 UK 1st MONO pressing Beatles classic - there really can't be many UK first pressings left in as good a condition as this. A "must" for any serious Beatles vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for  : UK £5.00; 

and Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £13. 

PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE PAYING!!

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler