BEATLES: INTRODUCING THE BEATLES- ALL BLACK LABEL WITH OVAL LOGO VG+

$

99

Hello and Welcome!  

Despite being eBay Vintage Vinyl Sellers since 1999, we have recently elected to auction off several important as well as extremely rare examples from our personal album collection under this new screen-name. We pride ourselves as collectors, sellers and most importantly, true purists when it comes to this hobby which has turned into a huge on-line business for many folks.   Unlike many eBay sellers of LPs these days, we still feel compelled to write up complete as well as accurate descriptions of our vinyl in order that no surprises will occur, other than happy ones.  This is why we take painstaking efforts to describe every detail of our play-graded LPs, which never seem to disappoint our buyers.   

We are offering an Authentic 1964 MONO Version 2 (Spizer VJ 1062 (2).MR5) Pressing of The Beatles: Introducing The Beatles on Vee-Jay Records  VJLP-1062.   90% of these specific Beatles albums which appear on eBay are either "fake" or "counterfeit" pressings.  While there are far more vinyl sellers in 2013 who do correctly identify their items as "fakes", "reproductions", or "pirate" copies of "Introducing The Beatles" than there were just a few years ago, there are still way too many record dealers, even those who have been dubbed "Top Sellers", who knowingly auction off counterfeit versions of this title as the real McCoy.  Our specimen is 100% guaranteed to be what we say it is, which is simply that this is an extremely rare and original Version 2 All Black Label with the Oval 'Vee-Jay' Logo Mono 'Introducing The Beatles'.  Our album's jacket features the songs "Please, Please Me" and "Ask me Why", song titles which are listed in two columns on the back of the jacket.  

This LP features the all-black label with the silver printed 'Vee-Jay Records' encircled in an oval.  Many Beatles experts such as Perry Cox and Frank Daniels consider this label variant to be among the scarcest ones which appear on any Mono Version 2 'Introducing The Beatles'.  As our photos reveal, this style shows the silver print to be sharp, thin-set, and "centered" on both sides of the label.  Both labels are "deep-grooved" with the LP titled "Introducing the Beatles" above "The Beatles".  Of course, here is the tell-tale sign of authenticity of these LPs.  Any and all genuine 'Introducing the Beatles' LPs have to have the LPs' title and 'The Beatles" ABOVE THE SPINDLE HOLE.

Our Goldmine Grading of this or any other album entails a Visual Assessment of the Vinyl, Labels, Jacket, Inner Sleeve and Inserts (If Applicable) as well as an Aural Evaluation.  All pre-owned LPs that we put up for auction are first professionally cleaned with our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine prior to being Play-Graded on a Denon DP 54-F Turntable equipped with a SHURE M97xE Cartridge/Stylus.  Our Pre-Amp is a Denon PMA 750.  Our Polk Audio Speakers allow one the opportunity to hear any sonic distortion, variation in sound quality such as drops in sound levels, detection of the slightest background noise e.g. crackle, clicking, and, of course, jumps.  All of our albums are stored upright and kept in an air conditioned, smoke free environment and are, or have been protected by polyurethane jacket protectors since our acquisition of them.  

VISUAL GRADES

VINYL:  Under bright halogen lighting, we saw little more than several "wispy" hairlines on each side of the LP as well as a few superficial scruff marks.  While this 50 year old wax is not inundated with surface marks or even "hairlines", they are present under normal lighting and in daylight conditions.  What struck us the most about the wax surrounded its Full Gloss and Sheen which is free of groove-wear, warping, scratches which could be felt, and the mere fact that this half century LP managed to avoid the ravages of organic aging, not to mention damage incurred by care-free playing on antiquated "monaural" phonographs with harsh needles.  Goldmine Grade: VG/VG+.  

LABELS:  Both 'Flat', Matte type deep-groove All-Black Vee-Jay Labels are completely devoid of extraneous writing, paper rips, markings or dulling of the silver print.  As Beatles' fans and vinyl collectors, we have always considered the all-black 'VJ' label our personal favorite of the company since it seemed to withstand the test of time better than the 'Rainbow' VJ labels.  In addition, the contrast between the needle-sharp, somewhat thin silver font print and the black background is absolutely striking.  There are minor signs of "spidering" near both labels' spindle holes, which do not detract from these rare labels at all.  We have submitted several photos of these gorgeous labels which we believe fully merit the Goldmine Grade: VG++.

JACKET:  Both sides of our jacket have pen (biro) and black marker writing.  The front cover has the word "By" written in marker, above the "E" in "Beatles"; otherwise, this side is in excellent condition.  On the reverse,  there is the name "Barbara" written in Blue pen (biro) on the upper left corner, followed by the word "Yankee" in black marker (Please see our photos).  Like the front of the cover, other than these marks, the back of the cover is in excellent condition.  This jacket has had 4 minor and neatly repaired seam splits by tape.  This jacket's spine is fully intact in both structure and spine print.  All jacket print and colors have remained unscathed for the last half century--the colors are vibrant, without fading, and the print is sharp.  Even the corners of the cover have remained in relatively good condition, presenting with minor tip wear.  There are no rid on the slick and the portrait of the Beatles is stunning!  We are assigning an ultra-conservative grade for this jacket:   Goldmine Grade: VG   

INNER SLEEVE:  The Original VJ Paper Inner Sleeve was not included when the album was acquired by us.  We have stored the LP in a polyurethane album protector.  We will, of course, provide a generic paper inner sleeve with a poly-lined protector to the winning bidder of this album.

PLAY-GRADE 

We have taken extensive notes on this LP's aural delivery.  Please note that we are selling this epic 'Introducing The Beatles' album "as is" and as such, we have listened to every track on this vinyl.  On January 14th, 2013, we cleaned the LP with our VPI 16.5 RCM and made extremely detailed notes, as it played on our Denon Sound System. 

There were no instances of background crackling during these classic songs, any loss of 'highs' regarding range, pitch, and the sheer sonic mono sound was loud, clear, and distinct.  We marveled at the way Vee-Jay Records actually produced this LP, as it is, in our opinion, a far more enjoyable "player" than "Meet The Beatles", as a biased example.  Paul McCartney's abbreviated count-off of just "4!" prior to "I Saw Her Standing There", made this track, not only different, but a more ferocious, raucous version than the later Capitol Records recordings.  Nearly every song on this vinyl played flawlessly, with stereo separation so distinct that every instrument was heard with an almost CD-like sound quality. 

This album not only has the rare oval all-black Oval Logo style, but is an excellent player to boot.  Our LP's play receives a solid Goldmine Grade:  VG++  

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Payment

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USA SHIPPING

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Worldwide Shipping/Posting

FLAT RATE: $18.00 FOR FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL MAIL

**WE NO LONGER SHIP TO ITALY OR BRAZIL**

-Seller Reserves The Right To Cancel Any Bids From Questionable Bidders (Low Feedback Percentage, Blocked Countries).

How Your Vinyl Will Be Packed

All LPs won from our eBay listings are first professionally cleaned with our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine and immediately placed in an anti-static poly-lined Inner Sleeve and/or a polyethylene 3 ml Album Protector prior to being professionally shipped/posted.  All Vinyl is separated from its Album Jacket.  We provide a second polyethylene/Mylar Album Protector for the Album's Jacket, Original Inner Sleeve, and any Inserts, if applicable.  Vinyl is placed between 2 cardboard pads or "stiffeners" and sandwiched between these 2 pads.  The pads and vinyl are appropriately secured and placed inside a NEW, TOP INDUSTRY STANDARD VINYL RECORD MAILER.  The Album's Jacket, already protected with a 3 ml polyethylene/Mylar Protector, is then placed on top of the sandwiched vinyl.  If needed, an additional cardboard insert or plastic "cushioning" is placed on top of the jacket's poly/mylar protector.  Finally, we secure the Vinyl Album Mailer and mark the parcel "Handle with Care" as well as "Fragile" in various spots on the mailer.

We've packed thousands of Vinyl Albums, EPs, Old and Fragile 78 RPM records as well as 7" Singles over the Past 15 years.  Our items have been shipped over the entire planet and we have never had a package arrive to a buyer damaged or had any  parcel end up missing.  Delivery Confirmation is Applied to All Domestic Packages as well as Insurance for value.  At this point in time, we Ship/Post World-wide (Excluding Italy and Brazil Due To Their Postal System's Failure to Deliver Packages in a  timely rate which is acceptable to eBay and us.)  

Any and all questions about this item, will be answered in a timely manner.  We ask that all questions be submitted via the eBay e-mail mechanism.

Have Fun and Bid on this unique LP!

GOLDMINE GRADING

MINT (M)

These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)

A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.)

NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

NOTE: These are high standards, and they are not on a sliding scale. A record or sleeve from the 1950s must meet the same standards as one from the 1990s or 2000s to be Near Mint! It’s estimated that no more than 2 to 4 percent of all records remaining from the 1950s and 1960s are truly Near Mint. This is why they fetch such high prices, even for more common items.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)

or EXCELLENT (E)

A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)

Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.

Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

Good (G),

Good Plus (G+)

or Very Good Minus (VG–)

These records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.

Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.

If the item is common, it’s probably better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seeking it for a long time, get it cheap and look to upgrade.

POOR (P)

and Fair (F)

Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash. Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.

Only the most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in this condition — again, if they sell at all.