The Beatles Greatest LP - 1968 German Pressing - Blue Odeon Label M-

$

40

I have been a collector of LPs from the 1950s and 1960s for the past 40 years. All LPs, EPs, and 45s I have listed on eBay are from my personal collection.

I have also been an audiophile for 40 years (analog only). The LPs and 45s listed have been play-graded on high quality equipment (turntable, tone-arm, cartridge, pre-amp, amp, speakers, and subwoofers). My system picks up the slightest surface noise on vinyl; i.e., ticks, pops, hiss, and sibilants due to groove wear. The standard I have used in adding a record to my collection has been how well it played (no surface noise present) in addition to how it looked.

The outer sleeves/covers of these LPs have been stored in polyethylene sleeve protectors since I acquired them. I also removed the LPs from the original Emitex inner sleeves and stored the LP in a custom rice paper sleeve while keeping the original Emitex inner sleeve in the LP jacket.

I have used strict grading standards of the UK publication Record Collector. I will use a mint grade only if I know a record has never been played. Unless a record is sealed or unplayed, M- is my highest grade. I have described the flaws, if any, on the labels, vinyl, and sleeves. All the LPs I have listed will play as good as, or better than, they look. I hope you find something you can add to your collection and enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed listening to vinyl records for the last 58 years. 

This is a stereo German pressing of ‘The Beatles’ Greatest’. It is the one-box label pressing from 1968 on the blue EMI/Odeon label, catalog #1C 062-04 207.

The Odeon record label, on which the Beatles records were issued in Germany, was owned by EMI Group Ltd (EMI), the London-based, post WWII record giant that also owned the Parlophone label, the label on which all of the Beatles UK recordings were issued until the Beatles formed the Apple label in 1968. Apple label pressings in the UK were pressed by EMI.

The vinyl pressings of the Beatles recordings that were pressed for release on the Odeon label in Germany were pressed by EMI/Odeon in Germany. EMI-owned pressing plants pressed the Beatles LPs for many countries around the world, not only in Europe but in countries that were then part of the British Commonwealth.

By 1964 stereo was the norm in Germany, thus, in what was the exact opposite of the number of UK Parlophone mono/stereo pressings, the German Odeon pressings were overwhelmingly stereo until November 1964, at which time the German Odeon pressings were only stereo.

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These early German stereo pressings are sonically superb. If one does an A/B listening comparison of the Beatles Parlophone pressings to the Odeon pressings of the 1960s and 1970s (and I have), it is very difficult to hear any differences. This is not surprising since the Odeon label LPs were pressed by EMI/Odeon in EMI-owned pressing plants.

Labels: M-

The labels are flawless. They show no marks and no signs of handling wear. The spindle hole on Side 1 has one very small and light spindle track. There are no spindle tracks on Side 2. Based on the labels, this LP has not had more than one or two spins on a turntable.

Vinyl: M-

The vinyl is unmarked and flawless. It shows the sheen and high gloss of a new LP. It is completely free of dust or dirt that would dull its natural sheen and affect its sonic qualities. It plays as new. There are no ticks, pops, or surface noise. You will hear nothing but the music in the songs and silence in the dead wax on the run-ins, run-outs, and between songs. Based on the visual condition of the labels, the vinyl, and the flawless sound of this LP, it is clear this LP has had very few spins on a turntable.

Sleeve: M-

This is a near perfect sleeve. It has no seam splits. The seams are as-new solid. The corners are square and sharp with only the slightest of wear on the lower right corner. The laminated front panel shows no sign of ring wear and no creasing. There is one very small crease next to the spine. Otherwise it is flawless. The colors are superb. The rear panel is flawless. It shows no sign of ring wear or creasing. 

Payment, Shipping, and Returns:

Please do not remit payment until you receive an invoice. The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs. All boxes and other shipping materials are new. Each LP is carefully packaged in custom made LP mailing boxes with the disc removed from the sleeve cover. Shipping costs include only the actual costs of shipping and the required shipping materials. Shipping services within the US are USPS Media Mail. The shipping cost for this LP within the US is $5.00.

Shipping costs vary widely outside the US. International shipping services are either USPS International or Federal Express 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 an LP must be made within 48 hours of receiving the LP and must be returned to me within 7 days of receipt. Shipping costs are not refundable and the buyer pays return shipping. A returned LP 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.

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