THE BEATLES White Album 1968 UK MONO No. 0065263 TOP OPENING complete nice copy

	£		127
	$		168

The BEATLES - THE WHITE ALBUM

An overall impressive condition, and low numbered, copy of this increasingly hard to find and sought after 1968 UK 1st press Beatles masterpiece, on the APPLE record label, MONO, PMC 7067/8 

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1    XEX 709 - 1  with stampers "4" and "GH" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively 

Side 2    XEX 710 - 1  with stampers "3" and "GGP" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 3    XEX 711 - 1  with stampers "5" and "TL" at 8.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively 

Side 4    XEX 712 - 2  with stampers "2" and "GRA" at 8.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

In normal daylight the appearance of each of the vinyls is very good plus (VG+). Each side of each vinyl has retained a nice jet black sheen and they really do gleam. Under a brighter light some surface only very light and small scuff marks along with hairlines (mostly wispy) do come into view, however, all of which are "non-feelable", appearing to be surface only and seemingly superficial but also indicating that both records have had a reasonable number of plays. The exception to this is a single 3cm mild (but just feelable) light scratch on side 3 (see photo) resulting in rotational clicking for the whole duration of the first three tracks and for the first quarter of the 4th track of side 3 (and it recurs for 4 rotations at the very end of the 4th track). Taking all of this into consideration I would grade the overall appearance and condition of the vinyls as very good plus (VG+) for sides 1, 2, and 4 and very good minus (VG-) for side 3.

The condition of the labels is very good plus (VG+). Impressive labels with all text, all colouring, and the iconic dark green (not lighter green as on subsequent non-first press releases) APPLE logo with black writing upon the smooth textured white background all remaining in superb condition, with a few very faint spindle trails on each label, and a very light mark on each of the side 1 and 4 labels where a sticker has been removed on each label. The 1st pressing "K" and "T" tax codes sit nicely proud on the side 3 label. Note the absence of the "An E.M.I. Recording" on any of the labels - unique to early production run 1st pressings.

The condition of the laminated outer gatefold sleeve is excellent (EX). All edges remain firm with no scuffing at all, each corner remains a near perfectly defined right angle with minimal rubbing, and the spine also remains firm with all text nicely intact although there is some laminate disintegration on the spine itself along with a few small, odd nicks. All colouring, art work, and photos remain in great shape with great vibrancy and clear definition, and there is no unwanted writing or doodles anywhere, and no cardboard creasing either. The opening edges are firm with no fraying at all. The only other blemishes are some intermittent vertical chaffing/abrasions on the front side adjacent to the spine and the odd very light 1-2 cm laminate crease (only really visible in a bright light and very trivial) and the merest hint of some vertical yellowing/age discoluration which is only noticeable when the front cover is held at the right angle in a bright light...nothing really. The inside of the gatefold is truly excellent  - again, beautifully glossy with all photos and text perfectly intact. The only other blemish (barely worth mentioning) is a small 2cm laminate crease on the right side flipback which is otherwise in perfect condition (as is the left side flipback). Note the low number of 0065263 on the front side, making this copy a real rarity.

Finally, the quality of the audio is very good plus (VG+) on sides 1, 2 and 4 and very good minus (VG+) on side 3. There is great tone and clarity even at higher volume and frequencies. There are no skips, jumps or repeats and what little background crackle exists is very background, occasional, and only noticeable when you listen out for it during just a couple of the quieter moments and at the very end of side 2. There is the occasional light click, I suspect mainly down to dust in the grooves resulting from decades of storage and perhaps the occasional very light scratch which though non-feelable does nevertheless impinge upon the surface. It is no exaggeration to say that the MONO audio reproduction on sides 1, 2, and 4 sounds great overall despite the odd very light click, and to a large extent side 3 does too but, as mentioned above, there is a light scratch on side 3 which causes rotational clicking for the whole duration of the first three tracks and for the first quarter of the 4th track of side 3 (and it recurs for 4 rotations at the very end of the 4th track), and there are also two noticeable clicks right at the very end of "Helter Skelter"...this doesn't mean to say that side 3 is not a good listen - it is, very much so - just don't expect perfection!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.

2. DEAR PRUDENCE

3. GLASS ONION

4. OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA

5. WILD HONEY PIE

6. THE CONTINUING STORY OF BUNGALOW BILL

7. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS

8. HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN

Side 2 :

1. MARTHA MY DEAR

2. I'M SO TIRED

3. BLACKBIRD

4. PIGGIES

5. ROCKY RACCOON

6. DON'T PASS ME BY

7. WHY DON'T WE DO IT IN THE ROAD

8. I WILL

9. JULIA

Side 3 :

1. BIRTHDAY

2. YER BLUES

3. MOTHER NATURE'S SON

4. EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMETHING TO HIDE EXCEPT ME AND MY MONKEY

5. SEXY SADIE

6. HELTER SKELTER

7. LONG LONG LONG

Side 2 :

1. REVOLUTION 1

2. HONEY PIE

3. SAVOY TRUFFLE

4. CRY BABY CRY

5. REVOLUTION 9

6. GOOD NIGHT

Comes with original lyric poster and x4 Beatle photos, all of which are in excellent and clearly little used condition with no creasing, staining, doodles or unwanted writing, pin holes, or blue tac residue...just great condition!

Comes with original die-cut black inner sleeves - each inner remains functional but 3 of the 4 sides have 4-5cm seam splits and there is some minor edge fraying on the periphery of the die-cuts.  Note that I will post the vinyls each in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the originals.

In summary an overall very nice condition and very presentable copy of this increasingly hard to find 1968 first UK press Beatles classic, made all the more rare and desirable by it's low number - a worthy addition to any serious vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 49 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £6.00, Royal Mail special delivery; continental Europe £12 and Rest of the World £16, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail, tracked and signed for.

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler