Vinyl: Beatles - Please, Please Me - UK 1963 1st *GOLD STEREO* Press LP 1/R 1/G

It's always a pleasure to be able to handle a genuine 1st stereo pressing of this album and although this copy is not in the condition we usually like to offer, it represents a real chance to acquire one of their rarest and most sought after records at an affordable price.

This early pressing dates from initial April 1963 (it was released one moth after the mono) on the iconic black & gold Parlophone label: PCS 3042

Both labels carry the earliest 'Dick James' publishing credits, with an 'MZT' purchase tax code in the cente of the side 1 label.

Matrices: YEX 94-1 & YEX 95-1

Vinyl weight: 164g

Housed in a correct-type front laminated, tri-flipback, 'Ernest J. Day' printed cover, with the 'Angus McBean' credit in the extreme lower right corner.

Complete with original poly-lined 'Use EMITEX...' inner-sleeve.

CONDITION

Labels: VERY GOOD +

A good-looking pair with some wear to and around each centre hole, but no stickers, writing or major issues.

Visual: VERY GOOD -

This disc has clearly been cherished and enjoyed and although both playing surfaces are clean with a nice shine, both sides bear a number of surface marks and scuffs. However, the disc has not been abused, the type of marks present are just the type acquired by frequent handling and turntable use. Both sides of this respectable disc still lie 100% flat on the turntable when playing.

Audio: VERY GOOD

Played many times, thankfully on good equipment only, all tracks play without any crackle or groovewear. Our careful play-check at volume detected a couple of soft ticks on 'I Saw Her Standing There' along with a couple of soft 'pops' in the band between tracks 2 & 3 but no further significant issues on side 1. Side 2 play just as well with just a single 'pop' on 'A Taste of Honey', but again no major faults. There is moderate vinyl noise on the run-ins and between tracks but no jumps, repeats or other such issues.

Cover: VERY GOOD -

This clean & correct example has a bright front panel with a respectable glossy finish marred only by some light marks from storage. There is a moderate amount of wear to the corners and a little to the opening edges too. The exposed rear panel is clean and white overall with just the usual light handling marks but no writing anywhere. There is some missing paper to the right corners of the upper and lower flipbacks along with some minor damage to the lower one further to the left.. Both seams are intact and unsplit and the spine is clean & fully worded.

Inner-sleeve: VERY GOOD