A Hard Day's Night (3N/3N)

The first mono pressing has wonderful audio for the majority and the cover is in superb condition, one of the best I have ever seen.  This vinyl has the MT tax code on the S2 label.  This is very rare as this code was used between Jan 1 1963 and June 30 of the same year and 'A Hard Day's Night' was of course released in July 1964.

Mono 3N/3N first pressing on Yellow/Black label.  'The Parlophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge.  'Recording first published 1963' and 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions' also on labels.

Mid-sized 'Mono' on front of G&L cover and KT tax code stamp on S2 label.

Parlophone PMC 1230

The audio on S1 is Ex (Ex+ / Near Mint in some sections - 'If I Fell' & 'And I love Her' have a section playing as VG+) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint-

The cover is Ex+

The Emitex inner is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  This vinyl is in lovely condition for its 50+ years.  There are relatively few hairlines and a couple of minor scuffs but there are certainly no scratches.  There is a little age related 'mottling' on both sides but it is faint and has very little affect on the audio.  This vinyl is not perfect but it is definitely better than most first pressings I see today.  Overall this vinyl has been very well looked after and plays with excellent audio for the vast majority as detailed below.

Play grading

There is a little lead in static on S1 and then the classic 'A Hard Days Night' has to be one of the best versions I have ever heard and this is a genuine first pressing!  It plays with so much power and depth you can turn it up loud without fear of distortion.  There is no interference of any kind, not even on the fade out.  In a word, stunning and easily grades as Near Mint if not better.  The vast majority of 'I Should Have Known Better' plays in exactly the same way except for 5 seconds in the guitar section where there are three dull clicks.  Apart from that it is nigh on perfect.  'If I Fell' has very clear audio but there is a rasping static sound per revolution for about 20 seconds in the middle and for a few seconds towards the end.  A shame because the rest of the track demonstrates excellent audio with no clicks or pops etc.  The remaining tracks play with excellent quality but there is some rasping static in the background again during 'And I Love Her' for about 30 seconds.  A professional clean may help because the actual 'sound' is so strong and the second half of the track plays in stunning fashion.  'Can't Buy Me Love' but has some distortion but remains an excellent listen with no other interference.

'Any Time At All' has near perfect audio again, just a touch of barely audible static on a 2/3 second section.  'I'll Cry Instead' almost matches this quality with only one light click, there is no static or crackle at all - the clarity is just superb.  'Things We Said Today' is another sublime listen and grades practically as Mint the quality is that good.  The remaining tracks play with wonderful quality again although there is some minor distortion on the top end but as I have said before this is probably due to the record being played through a stereo system.  There is the odd crackle sound in the dead wax between some of the songs on this side but quite honestly the audio on this side is of an exceptional standard and will not disappoint.

Cover

This G & L laminated cover is in superb condition for its age and is one of the best 'first press' ones I have ever seen.  The edges and thin spine are almost as new and only the bottom edge has one minor 'rub' mark.   The corners have a very small amount of wear and the laminate itself has not splits or lifting at all.  The opening edge has a small amount of handling wear only.  The front and back covers are so clean it would be difficult to find better!  The white back cover is obviously the one that can be easily marked but this one is visually stunning with a couple of tiny faint marks only and the flipbacks are in fantastic shape with no staining.  As can be seen this stunning cover has no writing on at all. 

Inner sleeve

The original Emitex polylined inner has no splits and no writing or marking.  There is a little light creasing only.

The labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels have no marking or writing and not very much spindle wear.  The MT tax code is on the S2 label. stamp on this copy.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (Second Class)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!