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The Beatles (The White Album) 1/1/1/1 1st Mono Press No 0056883 No EMI 1968

This very collectable first mono pressing plays to a very high standard for the vast majority with only a little interference on S2 and this is described in detailed below.  Aside from that both records play with great clarity, depth and warmth as only mono records can.

The fully laminated cover is in lovely condition with only minimal wear and has the low number of 0056883 embossed on the front.  Rarely seen in this condition!  It comes complete with all the original components.  The four photos are 'as new' and the lyric poster is in superb order with only a small number of faint 'spots'.  The black inners have only minimal wear.

This is of course a genuine first press as it has no EMI on the labels and the 1/1/1/1 matrix.

PMC 7067/8 // XEX 709 - 1 / XEX 710 - 1 / XEX 711 - 1 / XEX 712 - 1 // GH 4 / RG 2 6 / PP 3 / HT 4

The audio on S1 mainly ranges between Near Mint- and Mint(-) (T7 Ex+)

The audio on S2 ranges mainly between Ex+ and Mint- (end of T1 G+ / T3 VG+ / T4 VG at the end / T9 Ex at the end)

The audio on S3 is Near Mint / Mint(-) (T5 & T6 Near Mint-)

The audio on S4 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint- / T6 Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex

The lyric poster is Ex+

The four photos are Mint

The labels are Ex+ / Ex

The original black inners are VG++

Visual description

The vinyls are in very good condition and by and large have been very well looked after.  There are some hairlines and a small number that are a little more obvious but these are superficial and have no affect on the audio.  However, it is worth me saying that the records are certainly not covered in hairlines like so many!  It is only under a strong unforgiving light that you notice them.  There is also one small mark on S2 which does cause a little interference and this is detailed below.  The labels do have some spindle wear but not an excessive amount and S2 and S4 do have 'David' written on them.  If I had to give an actual grade I would say VG+ but as is often the case with robust 60s vinyl they play a lot better thann their visual quality.

Play grading  

The classic 'Back In The U.S.S.R.' plays with superb quality from the very first groove.  The 'aeroplane' intro has no 'background' and it then plays with great power and depth and no interference.  Perhaps a minor touch of static distortion on a handful of words but this is so minimal and hardly noticeable.  This is also a mono record being played through a stereo system.  It has that deep rich mono sound and is easily a Near Mint start to the album.

The segue into 'Dear Prudence' is flawless and the intro and opening verse are close to perfect with only a small number of mega quiet ticks.  It then plays beautifully with no obvious intrusion apart from a couple of dull click sounds right at the end.  Near Mint-

'Glass Onion' plays with stunning precision from the first note to the last including the strings section.  A superb Mint- version.  Just one tick on the fade out.

'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' has only the bare minimum of distortion on the first vocal and then plays with exceptional clarity and depth for the remainder.  No ticks, clicks or pops.  Near Mint-

'Wild Honey Pie' plays with great clarity and no intrusion.  Mint-

The intro on 'The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill' plays so clearly with only a couple of light static ticks and continues to play very well with only minimal vocal distortion.  This is always the case with this track I find no doubt due to the way it was recorded/mixed.  The first half is still very impressive but if anything the second half is even better!  Near Mint-

The intro on the classic 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is faultless and then plays very clearly with minimal static distortion on the vocal every now and then but again this is hardly intrusive.  Clapton's work is phenomenal - some light ticks on the fade out so Ex+ is about right.

'Happiness Is A Warm Gun' ends the side with audio that is nigh on perfect.  Near Mint if not better.

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The piano intro on 'Martha My Dear' is very clean with barely any static and only a couple of very quiet swish sounds.  The vocal then plays with stunning clarity but annoyingly there is a brief jump and 6/7 dull clicks very near the end.  The vast majority is Near Mint but the final few seconds have to grade as G+

'I'm So Tired' plays with sublime clarity and depth from start to finish with no interference including the 'chuntering' at the end!  This is Mint no need for a minus here :-)

'Blackbird' begins perfectly and the only interference is five dull click sounds in the middle section and some vocal distortion here and there.  VG+ overall.

The little classic 'Piggies' plays with superb audio for the vast majority but does have three quiet dull clicks just before it finishes.  Mint for the large part and then VG at the very end.

'Rocky Raccoon' plays with sublime clarity and depth with no interference of any kind.  Mint-

The intro on 'Don't Pass Me By' has only a handful of mega quiet ticks and then plays very clearly although the clarity of sound is always different on this track I find, deliberate I believe and should not be downgraded as a result.  Near Mint

'Why Don't We Do It In The Road?' is very strong with only minimal distortion.  Not their finest hour.  Ex+

'I Will' plays beautifully when you consider how quiet it is.  No interference just pure Mint audio from start to finish.  One of the finest versions I have ever heard.

'Julia' plays to a very similar standard - ironic that the two quietest tracks on the side play with great clarity.  There are only a couple of ticks, one light click and minimal vocal distortion towards the end.  Mint- for the majority and then Ex on the final section.

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S3 begins with a fantastic version of 'Birthday' that is 'as new' no exaggeration.  The power and depth of the audio is STUNNING helped in no small measure by the strong bass sound.  This is Mint in every way.

'Yer Blues' is almost as good with just one click on the intro.  It isn't so obvious as it is on a 'beat' and the rest of the track plays with sublime quality.  Near Mint even though 99% plays to perfection!

The acoustic intro on 'Mother Nature's Son' plays so clearly with not even a dust tick and continues in the same way with no intrusion whatsoever.  Only a handful of barely dust ticks this is audio of the highest calibre.  Mint-

'Everybody's Got Something To Hide...' keeps up the good work with powerful and clean from start to finish.  Mint-

'Sexy Sadie' has only very minimal static on the intro and then plays with genuine quality for the remainder.  There is just very minor static distortion here and there but so minimal and non-intrusive.  Near Mint-

The classic 'Helter Skelter' is close to perfect with no ticks, clicks or pops and only a minor touch of distortion.  A STUNNING version with such strong bass again and Near Mint- is an honest appraisal.

'Long Long Long' plays with wonderful clarity for such a quiet track and brings the side to a very impressive Near Mint conclusion.  This side defied my expectations in a way - the audio is so crisp and clear and in essence there is no interference.

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Another classic in 'Revolution 1' and it plays with stunning clarity from the outset.  It really could not play any better and the sonic quality is fantastic!  A Mint- start to S4 - what a version!

The quiet intro on 'Honey Pie' plays beautifully and continues in much the same way as the tempo picks up.  The odd word has a minimal touch of static distortion but you hardly notice it really.  Near Mint-

'Savoy Truffle' plays with outstanding quality from start to finish and again the audio definition is so impressive.  The audio is so strong and deep, there are no faults.  Mint- 

'Cry Baby Cry' maintains this 'high end' standard with impeccable quality throughout.  A small number of barely audible dust ticks at most and even the 'take me back' end sequence plays with genuine quality.  Another Mint- track.

Not to everyone's taste but 'Revolution 9' plays with great clarity and no real interference.  There are a small number of very light ticks at the start and the rest is as 'clean' as could be.  Mint- is still a fair grade and yes I played it in full!

'Good Night' as always plays with some static distortion but it is not that intrusive.  I am sure it is a pressing issue with these mono albums and remember it is being played via a stereo system.  In fact the majority plays much better than many versions I have heard and overall the clarity of sound is very impressive.  Ex+

In summary this genuine first pressing plays to a very high standard for the vast majority and the only obvious interference is on a couple of tracks on S2 as detailed above. Aside from that the clarity and depth of the audio is very impressive.  60s vinyl was built to last and as long as they weren't trashed the vinyls can withstand the minor marks that these ones have.  S3 and S4 in particular play with stunning with S1 not being far behind and of course the relatively low number of 0056883 makes it even more collectable.  A very strong example overall.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeves

The iconic G&L laminated cover is in great condition with only minimal wear and has also retained its original shape, structure and colour extremely well.  It's not often you find a cover with such a low number as impressive as this!  The top-loading edges have only minimal handling wear and the bottom edges have no marking/rubbing at all.  The spine is still very wide with barely any compression and remains 100% legible.  There is the usual crease line running down the centre caused by the gatefold being opened and some very minor wear by the bottom corner.  The top corner has no wear and the right hand corners are also in superb order with no issues either.  The front cover is still very clean with barely any discolouration and No 0056883 stands loud and proud.  There is no obvious marking and has just a couple of faint spots and small crease lines.  There is a small area of laminate wear/creasing bottom left but this is certainly not a major issue.  The back cover is in lovely condition with only minor ringwear and a faint band down the left side and the inside of the gatefold is also in great shape with only a handful of barely visible faint 'spots' and some light creasing at the foot of the inner spine.  The flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover and have barely any of the staining on the edges that you so often see.  Overall this is a very impressive cover and hopefully the photos do it justice.

The original die-cut black inners are in very good condition bordering on excellent with just one side split on each - 6cms and 10cms.  They are unmarked and have only minimal creasing.

The Lyric Poster & Photos

The large 6 panel lyric poster is in fine condition with no side splits and only a small number of very faint spots.  The four 'portraits' are in perfect condition with no marking or creasing at all.

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

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PMC 7067/8 // XEX 709 - 1 / XEX 710 - 1 / XEX 711 - 1 / XEX 712 - 1 // GH 4 / RG 2 6 / PP 3 / HT 4

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!