Beatles Original U.S. 1969 Picture Sleeve/Record 'Ballad of John and Yoko' EX+

$

40

I have been a collector of 45s from the 1950s and 1960s for the past 55 years and have been collecting the Beatles US picture sleeves since they were first issued 50 years ago. I have continuously upgraded my collection over the years.

The Beatles picture sleeves I have listed on eBay are my personal collection. I completed my personal collection many years ago and all of the sleeves listed are original sleeves from the first issued 45s. The highest grade I will give a pic sleeve is M- unless I know it is old store-stock and as new. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

These picture sleeves have been stored in polyethylene sleeve protectors without the record in them since I acquired them. This was to prevent a record label “push” from degrading the sleeve. I also placed a thin piece of acid free poster board inside each sleeve that is the exact size of the inner area of the sleeve before storing the sleeve so as to keep the sleeve free of creases, wave bends, corner bumps, etc. The sleeves have been stored in an area of my listening room (I’m a long-time analog audiophile) that is away from sunlight and room light. My house has always been smoke free.

The pictures of this sleeve on eBay were taken with a digital camera. I have used a high resolution scanner on all other sleeves listed, except where noted, but for some strange reason, my scanner put dark shadowy blotches on the white parts of the scans of this sleeve. The white parts of this sleeve are snow white so the scans were not an accurate depiction of the sleeve. Using eBay’s mouse-over feature on the pictures of these sleeves gives you an accurate view of the sleeve. I have noted any obvious flaws on the sleeve but the pictures of the sleeve speak for themselves.

As every collector knows, unlike their US LP records, the Beatles pic sleeves were not sealed; thus, finding them in mint or near mint condition is extremely difficult. 45 – 50 year old pic sleeves of any artist in mint or near mint condition are virtually impossible to find today. I hope you find something you can add to your collection and enjoy it as much as I have over these many years.

This is the sleeve and record of Ballad of John and Yoko/Old Brown Shoe, Apple 2531. This is the straight-cut east coast version of this sleeve. It was issued on June 4, 1969.

Sleeve Grade: EX+

All four corners of the sleeve are sharp and tight. The sleeve is perfectly flat with no hint of ring wear. There are no bends, creases, folds, or tears. It has no corner bumps, marks, or seam splits. The sleeve colors are sharp with no fading. 

There is very slight toning near the lower seam and near the upper right edge on the front of the sleeve. Also, there is a hint of a record label push on the front of the sleeve. It is very light and only noticeable on close inspection.

Record Play Grade: Mint

Visually, I would grade the vinyl EX+ but it plays mint. There are no ticks, pops, crackle, hiss or any other kind of surface noise with the music or in the run-ins or run-outs. All you will hear is the music. The labels are M-.

Please do not remit payment until you receive an invoice. The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs. All shipping boxes and other shipping materials are new. Shipping service within the US is USPS 1st Class Mail and the cost is $4.00.

Shipping costs vary widely outside the US. International shipping service is USPS International. For all locations outside the US please contact me for an exact shipping cost. The buyer is responsible for any customs or import duties. All shipping services include a signed-for receipt.

Satisfaction guaranteed. Notification of intent to return a sleeve must be made within 48 hours of receiving the sleeve and must be returned to me within 7 days of receipt. Shipping costs are not refundable and the buyer pays return shipping. A returned sleeve must be packaged in the same manner in which it was received and I must receive it in the same condition as it was received by the buyer.

Other Listings:

I have Beatles UK LPs, many other Beatles US 45s, and many other Beatles US picture sleeves listed on Ebay.