BEATLES For Sale 1964 UK Mono Ist Press LP PMC 1240 3N/3N super vinyl+audio EX

	£		53
	$		70

THE BEATLES - FOR SALE

An increasingly rare and sought after copy of this 1964 UK MONO 1st pressing on the UK PARLOPHONE label, MONO, PMC 1240

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  XEX 503 - 3N  with stampers "1" and "R TD" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 2  XEX 504 - 3N  with stampers "2 8" and "R LG" at 9 o'clock and 3 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. The 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 scuff marks come into evidence but even these are superficial and virtually negligible. The sole exception to this is a single 4mm light scratch on the penultimate track of side 1 which results in 5 mild background clicks; even this blemish I really had to search hard to identify. Overall brilliant condition with jet black lacquer still fully intact - remarkable, and rare, for a 54 year old classic such as this.

The labels are excellent. There are a number of faint spindle trail traces on each side adjacent to the centre hole, however, indicating that this record has had a reasonable number of plays but apart from that no other blemishes whatsoever, with all writing perfectly legible and lettering beautifully defined still and the yellow "PARLOPHONE" text and logo each retaining their rich colour vibrancy. 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, and the "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED..." text which, along with the "3N" matrix numbers, confirm the authenticity of this being a very first pressing. 

The front and back-laminated Garrod & Lofthouse outer sleeve is in VG+ condition.  All edges remain firm with no scuffing apart from a 3cm scuff at the centre of the bottom reverse side edge. The spine remains rigid where all writing remains perfectly legible. There is no laminate lifting and each corner remains a well defined right angle although there is a little rubbing on the bottom left hand corner and a small 0.5cm tear on the reverse side top edge immediately adjacent to the spine (see photo). There are six 1-2cm very light horizontal laminate creases perpendicular and adjacent to the spine and a further 4cm light diagonal crease on the front side located at the top right hand corner. The inside flip backs are pristine and remain fully functional with no tears or scuffs. There is also some sporadic light surface creasing perpendicular to the spine, also on the inside. 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 no fraying on the opening edges. Because of it's unique design and relative flimsiness, copies of this gatefold, especially accompanying first pressings, which are in excellent or better condition are extremely hard to come by. I have tried to be very precise in my appraisal of the condition of this gatefold - it does have it's blemishes - all minor, I stress - so not perfect by any means but still in impressive, overall very good (at least) condition. 

Finally, the quality of the audio is 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 (apart from the aforementioned five mild background clicks on the penultimate track of side 1), no pops, no background crackle (perhaps just the hint of a little background crackle as the stylus passes over the run-off grooves), just wonderful MONO audio quality throughout. Brilliant!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. NO REPLY

2. I'M A LOSER

3. BABY's IN BLACK

4. ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC

5. I'LL FOLLOW THE SUN

6. MR. MOONLIGHT

7. KANSAS CITY

Side 2 :

1. EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

2. WORDS OF LOVE

3. HONEY DON'T

4. EVERY LITTLE THING

5. I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE PARTY

6. WHAT YOU'RE DOING

7. EVERYBODY'S TRYING TO BE MY BABY

Comes complete with original die-cut "USE EMITEX" poly lined inner with just some minor creasing and a couple of minor age discolouration marks but no tears or splits and remains fully functional and in overall excellent 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 an EXCELLENT copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1964 UK 1st MONO pressing Beatles classic - a worthy addition to any serious Beatles vinyl collection and which will 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