Beatles LP Balanced For Broadcast FEB. 1964 First Capitol PROMO Appearance

$

150

(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.

So with that said…

Beatles LP Balanced For Broadcast FEB. 1964 First Capitol PROMO Appearance!

A couple of fun facts about this LP: 

First, this one was issued just weeks after their Ed Sullivan appearance, meaning that it was probably assembled before it. 

Secondly, there is evidence that “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was not going to be the lead-off single in the States, not only by the selections of theirs presented here, but also from two interviews.

The first interview was conducted with George Martin for the “Rock Over London” radio series in the late ‘70’s.  He describes how the track, “It Won’t Be Long” was slated for the lead-off single in North America, and that the first configuration of their break-through album led off with the song.  That album was released in Canada in 1963, under the title “Beatlemania! With the Beatles.”  The first song is “It Won’t Be Long.”

The second interview was with Lennon in 1980 with Playboy magazine’s David Sheff.  In that interview toward the end, there’s a very long segment where they go track-by-track, and Lennon gives his recollections.  When they discuss “It Won’t Be Long,” Lennon comments that it “was my attempt to write a single.  It just never worked.”

The other selection for this first-ever Capitol promo is “This Boy,” which of course was the B-side to “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in England. 

Does that mean that the two selections presented here were nearly issued as the first Beatles single in the U.S.?  I’ve always thought yes, but there’s no real proof.

What is for certain is that this LP is among the rare early pieces of Beatles history.  Try to find one.

Vinyl--- EX/ EX.  Both sides are nearly full gloss.  Side 1 has a patch of some very light, very short scratches.  See photo.  Side two, apart from one extremely light, short scratch looks Near Mint unplayed.

Plates--- PRO 2537-H1/ PRO 2538-H1.  Machine-stamped bubbled star is in the dead wax on both sides, which was used prior to the machine-stamped asterisk introduced in 1964.

Cover--- As this LP is a freebie, they used inferior, recycled cardboard for the cover.  They also did not spend the money to gloss it, which was not only aesthetic, it also reinforced their album covers.

That said, there is some moderate shelfwear to the top and bottom seams.  See photos.  Spine is muscular, bold and strong.  NO SPLITS.  Front and back covers show moderate dirtwear. 

Labels--- Side 1 label has black Magic Marker writing on it. “L-4138,” whatever that means.  Side 2 label has a small ballpoint line drawn in the rainbow where the yellow fades into green.  Otherwise, both labels are full-gloss.  NO SPINDLE MARKS.

Also for those familiar with the Los Angeles pressings of the first three Capitol albums, the titles are center-justified.  The same occurs on these labels, which is what has cleared the space for the promotional text to fit.

Capitol Inner Sleeve--- Original dark purple 1963 Capitol inner sleeve is present and in really good condition.  There is a one-inch split at the bottom center seam.  Otherwise, the sleeve is flat and full-punch colored.

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

RIAA: 5. Number is located to the farthest left bottom of the back cover.

Hate to let go of this one!

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!

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