The Beatles : Please Please Me (1/1)

This is known as the seventh stereo pressing of this album but the fifth on the yellow/black Parlophone label.  It is the most impressive example I have ever seen, the vinyl is absolutely immaculate!  That is reflected in the audio as detailed below - not one single click or pop!  The laminated cover is also in lovely condition which is a rarity.

Stereo 1/1 pressing on the Yellow/Black label.  'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge and 'Made in Gt. Britain' lower text.  G&L Patents Pending cover with small 'stereo' on the front.  There is no KT tax code here.

PCS 3042 // YEX 94 - 1 / YEX 95 - 1 // MR 2 / AH 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 7 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 7 Ex++)

The cover is a very strong Ex it is almost Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  This vinyl is stunning!  It is exceptionally clean and I am confident in saying it looks 'as new'.  I have not seen many 50 year old records that look as good as this.  I can only detect a couple of mega fine hairlines (so difficult to spot!) and needless to say there are no scratches or markings.  It retains a pristine jet-black glossy sheen and this is without doubt a final upgrade pressing and that is further exemplified by the audio grading below.  There is only a small amount of spindle wear and it is so obvious that this record has only ever been on a turntable a few times.  There is also no groove wear and no radial lines, it is quite simply a fantastic example of a stereo pressing.  The labels are supremely clean and even the run out grooves shine beautifully with no markings!

Play grading

There is no 'background' on the 1,2,3,4 intro and 'I Saw Her Standing There' then plays with fantastic clarity from start to finish.  There is no interference of any kind and no distortion either.  This is a stunning version for a record that is fast approaching 50 years of age, this particular pressing was produced in '69.  As stated there is very little spindle wear and that accounts for the clarity on offer here.

'Misery' also plays to an exceptional standard and again there is no interference whatsoever, not one single click or pop.  The clarity and depth is so impressive and is Near Mint if not better!  The fade out has no 'background' and you can even hear the 'clang' at the end as if something is being put down!  As I say the clarity is sensational!

'Anna (Go To Him)' and 'Chains' maintain this 'high end' standard and again have no interference whatsoever.  It is so rare to find a stereo pressing of their debut playing with such clarity and precision but when you see how clean the vinyl is it's not surprising.  I listen to every second so as to provide a detailed grading and I will mention any imperfection even if minor and barely audible.  For example the fade out on 'Chains' is nigh on perfect but does have two mega quiet dust ticks literally at the end.  This hardly qualifies as interference!

 'Boys' plays loud and true and has barely any distortion which is a genuine rarity.  It is a dynamic version and is stunning from start to finish.

'Ask Me Why' plays with wonderful depth and again ! there is no interference.  Perhaps a minimal hint of distortion but it's only what you expect to find on these pressings and the playback is still of a superb standard.  No clicks, pops, static or crackle!

Being the final track on the side 'Please Please Me' does play with a little distortion.  This is more obvious as the track reaches the end but this is not due to any groove wear or deterioration it's just common with final tracks.  It still plays very clearly and there is no other interference apart from one light tick on the final note.

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The harmonica intro on 'Love Me Do' plays so cleanly you think you are listening to a vinyl pressed yesterday not 50 years ago!  The clarity is stunning and this sublime quality continues.  This is unquestionably the finest version of this classic I have ever heard on a stereo pressing.  The only 'background' is a couple of mega light dust ticks on the fade out...if you can call that 'background'.  The definition is so strong - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and each note can be heard with perfect precision.  A stunning version.

'P.S. I Love You' and 'Baby It's You' play to the same breathtaking standard and again there is no interference.  I am just running out of suitable adjectives in which to describe the audio here!  Intros and fade outs always provide a good example of the clarity and on both tracks they play 'as new'.

For a relatively quiet track 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' plays beautifully from start to finish.  I am not sure if I am extolling the virtues of this stereo pressing as well as I could be!  The clarity is again exceptional and there is no 'background' of any kind.

'A Taste of Honey' does not disappoint and again plays without any clicks or pops or any extraneous 'background' for that matter.  Another example of a vinyl that has only been lightly played.  The playback is so good that you can clearly hear the echo affect on the harmonies.

'There's A Place' is of a similar standard and again there is not one single or pop.  A little distortion on the vocal but no more than you would expect and yet another perfect fade out.

'Twist And Shout' plays with great power and depth and not very much distortion.  Yes there is a little but in no way is it overpowering.  This really is a wonderful version of this all time classic and ends the album in fine style.

In summary this stunning album is a FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE version the likes of which are rarely heard today and especially on these rarer and more collectable stereo pressings.  There is not one click or pop and how often can you say that!  And no static or crackle either!  When you consider just how beautifully clean the vinyl is it's not all surprising it plays with such sublime clarity and definition.  There is near complete silence in the dead wax between tracks aside from the first three tracks on S1 and that gives you a further indication of how well this vinyl has been cared for and preserved.  With a super impressive cover also, the cleanest I have seen in a long time, it would be nigh on impossible to find a better yellow/black stereo pressing.

The Cover

This G&L Patents pending cover is rarely seen in such fantastic condition and has hardly any shelf wear.  The edges are super clean with only a couple of tiny 'rubs' and the spine is perfect and remains 100% legible.  The corners have only very minor wear and the opening edge is also in excellent order with very little handling wear.  The front cover has no laminate splits or lifting and only a small number of minor creases around the edges which is a common feature.  It is so clean!  The back cover is equally as good!  The white background has no marking/staining just a minor amount of very light fading and the flipbacks are in superb condition.  They have only a modicum of mega light staining on the edges.  I cannot remember when I found a 'stereo' cover as impressive as this.  They regularly have tears or marking but this one has been extremely well preserved down the decades.  It would be difficult to find better!

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Emitex sleeve has no splits or tears and no marking which is rare.  There is just a little creasing.

The Labels

These are two of the finest yellow/black Parlophone 'Stereo' labels you are ever likely to see!  As stated there is only a small amount of spindle wear and there is no marking or writing at all - so rare!  They have lost none of their original colour and look almost 'as new'.  Stunning.  There is no tax stamp on either side.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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