The Beatles White Album,1st press STEREO 0540274 top-opening nice sleeve VG+/EX-

	£		63
	$		83

The Beatles White Album

Stereo early first pressing, numbered top-opening  0540274 really nice sleeve, complete.

Matrix / Mother / Stamper

YEX 709-1 / 1 / OO

YEX 710-1 / 1 / GGM

YEX 711-1 / 2 / GOG

YEX 712-1 / 1 / RAG

Both LPs are clean and shiny with crisp clean labels, unmarked, well centred and flat on heavy 145gm vinyl. 

All sides have Sold in the U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists

Sides 1, 3 and 4 have An E.M.I. recording (not in inverted commas) 33 1/3 and mfd in U.K.

Side 2 does not have An E.M.I recording... (this is quite rare for stereo first presses)

The record plays through very nicely with only some minor crackle at times.  There is a slight mark at the start of 'Back in the USSR' but it doesn't sound.  Side 3 has some slight scratches or surface marks again they don't intrude very much (a few pops near the start of Revolution 1).   There are some hairline marks on all sides visible under a good light but none are significant and don't sound. 

 I'd rate all sides VG+  ...bear in mind this record is 43 years old and although it has clearly been played (who wouldn't with this album!?) it's in pretty decent shape - obviously this is subjective but in my opinion it holds up well on my Project RPM5 and Ortofon 2M blue cartridge for which it was never envisaged that it would be played on!  It could be even better with a deep clean on a Keith Monks machine.

The cover is very clean and uniform white inside and out apart from a very slight yellowing towards the spine (can just be seen at the top of the photo).   There is a slight crease on the right edge level with 'The BEATLES' (see photo) but it's flat and shiny, the corners are crisp and square (with just a small biff top left that's it) and the laminate is intact.  There are a few indentations and marks to be expected from use but nothing untoward.  "The BEATLES" is nicely embossed almost horizontally at 4 O'clock with the number 0540274 clearly printed sloping slightly downwards below.   There is very little ring wear front or back. 

The stem is clean with some cracking of the laminate down the centre but the lettering is clearly visible top and bottom.  The back has 'stereo' in very small type top right. The top opening is exceptionally sharp with hardly any feathering, handling creases  or discolouration.  The inside cover is sharp and white and both flip-downs are cleanly glued.

I grade the sleeve as VG+ bordering on EX, not bad for a 43 year old cover most of which were used and abused back in the day!  

There is a colour poster with the original 'kiss' decal and the lyrics on the rear.  It is flat and square, no pins, sellotape or blu-tak and the seams are crisp with no tears.  I'd grade this as EX .  The four Beatles photos are in EX+ condition with no evidence of use at all.

The black sugar-paper inner sleeves are beautiful reproductions correct in every detail and I have included anti-static poly liners. 

This is a really clean, nice example of this iconic LP with a numbered top-opening sleeve in very good to excellent condition.   It will be packed in a professional, stiffened mailer (either new or recycled) and sent recorded delivery.

Both records play through very nicely with no major flaws.  It also has all the correct inserts: die-cut black inner sleeves, four lovely photos and poster/lyric sheet all in superb condition.

Gradings are from Record Collector magazine guidelines. I try to be conservative and list all the flaws. 

Postage and packing is at cost, local pick-up from Milton Keynes is welcome. Local audition is also welcome, just send a message.

International prices on request, I regret that I may have to decline to send to certain countries but I have sold to the EU and Ireland, USA and Canada and Japan in the past.

Any questions please ask.

Happy bidding on this very nice, rare first pressing of a classic LP.

Low start and no reserve so somebody could pick up a bargain!

Good luck!