Beatles LP 1964 Balanced for Broadcast Capitol’s First Beatles-Related PROMO EX

$

194

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles PROMO LP 1964 Balanced for Broadcast Capitol’s First Beatles-Related PROMO, EX!

This album is widely recognized by collectors as the very first Capitol promo, which was organized in part by Brian Epstein.  The famous story is that because Capitol Records, which is EMI Britain’s stateside affiliate had passed on The Beatles since 1962’s contract signing, Epstein would not hand over The Beatles, now that Capitol was interested.  He negotiated a campaign that required Capitol to spend $40,000.00 to promote The Beatles in late 1963, which at that time was not only a small fortune, it was nearly twice what Capitol was accustomed to spending in promotions on a new artist.

The promotion included the famous “The Beatles are Coming” campaign, as well as the coining of phrases, such as “The British Invasion” and “Beatlemania.”

This album, which contained the first two Beatles tracks issued by Capitol, has a very interesting history.  In England, their debut single from their second album was “I Want to Hold Your Hand/This Boy,” neither of which Epstein found suitable for the American market as the breakthrough.

In a full-circle event, on December 6, 1980, John confirmed this two days before his death.  In an interview with Andy Peebles of the BBC, they were going through the entire catalogue of John’s memories with a pile of album covers.  John was to give his recollections of each song. 

When asked about “It Won’t Be Long,” John’s response was that he wrote that one as an attempt to write the breakthrough single for America.  But as we know, it turned out to be “I Want to Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There.”

This first promo album contains the original pairing that Epstein wanted to release.

Vinyl--- EX/EX.  Both sides present as nearly unplayed, with high gloss and one or maybe two extremely light angel hairs.

Plates--- H1/H1.  Machine-stamped asterisk in the dead wax makes this copy pressed in Los Angeles.

Cover--- EX.  I have seen less than 5 of these copies in 50 years, and I have NEVER seen a cover as bright and gorgeous as this one.  I’m not kidding.  These covers are susceptible to easy dirtwear and ringwear, and most covers I’ve seen are written on by 1963 DJ’s.

This cover looks nearly brand new, with the only flaw being a ¼-inch split at the bottom right corner.  The textured threads on the front cover usually capture dirt.  Not this one.  These covers are as fragile as Record Club covers, so lock this one up in the dark, and take good care of it.  You’re never going to see one like it ever again.

Labels--- EX/EX.

Labels are beautiful and glossy.  Just a handful of short and light angel hairs per side.  Side 2 label has an errant line printed into the rainbow.  See photo.  Also completely free of DJ writing.

Capitol Inner Sleeve--- VG+.  1963 dark purple Capitol label is present.  Has some browning at the edges, but not too bad.  West Coast thumb tab is also present.  The only flaw is a half-inch seam split on one side.

A generic inner sleeve will be provided, so as not to damage your original Capitol inner sleeve en route.

RIAA: 5. Look for the RIAA number at the bottom left corner, where these Balanced for Broadcast promo LP’s printed them, as opposed to the right bottom corner.

**If you pass on this copy, you’ve passed on the best keeper of this rare promo that I promise you’re ever going to come across this side of the dirt.**

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

Winners in all other countries will be charged actual shipping to their locations, so please wait to be invoiced.  You will be quoted for the cheapest shipping to your country that the US post office can afford me.  Please let me know if you would prefer to pay for a faster means of shipping, but do NOT ask me to declare packages as gifts, or any other means of defrauding the postal services.  Much appreciated.

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