BEATLES White Album 68 UK Mono Complete. STUNNING COPY

	£		255
	$		338

Hi, I am Mike, now 47 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 34 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story - I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested reader – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get. The only thing I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. Variation can sometimes occur too in colour of the label scans and labels taken next to the sleeve with a digital camera, the scanned full label pictures should be the most accurate. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic , and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note as From 1st April 2005. I can no longer accept cash from any overseas winning bidders.

Album Title: The Beatles - known as the White Album

Producer and Orchestrations: George Martin.

Track Listing: Side 1: Back in the USSR; Dear Prudence; Glass Onion; Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da; Wild Honey Pie; The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill; While My Guitar Gently Weeps; Happiness is a Warm Gun. Side 2: Martha My Dear; I’m so Tired; Blackbird; Piggies; Rocky Raccoon; Dont Pass Me By; Why Dont We Do it in the Road?; I Will; Julia. Side 3: Birthday; Yer Blues; Mother Natures Son; Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey; Sexy Sadie; Helter Skelter; Long, Long, Long. Side 4: Revolution 1; Honey Pie; Savoy Truffle; Cry Baby Cry; Revolution 9; Good Night.

Cat Number: PMC 7067/8.

Label/Format: Apple, the early very dark format.

Label Conditions: Four supreme examples, easily the cleanest, freshest and mostly lightly spindle marked I have ever seen on a mono copy. This album is always one of most played titles from their catalogue with labels usually looking well handled, faded, marked, rubbed with so often a maze of spindle marks and wear, even erosion around the hole areas. These show zero wear around the holes, the apple design going right to the very edges of the hole circumference and only very light and very few spindle traces. Both records remain a tight fit around my Rega spindle. If anyone wants me to guess a number of plays, something I am slightly loathe to do, I would say probably 3 or 4. This estimate is based on the label appearances, records playing surface and sound quality. Mono ‘White’ labels are rare looking like this, make no mistake about that. (Please see label scans for all information needed (have you ever seen White Album dark Apple labels much better or cleaner than these?)

Country of Manufacture: Gt Britain

Rarity: I still maintain that many Beatles albums are not ‘rare’, they sold far too many copies to say ‘Rare’, but some copies, the later monos especially and the earlier stereos, in attractive and strong playing condition are a different story. Complete mono copies are getting very scarce now - yes many were sold, but how many survive in a condition that are visually pleasing and still sounding amazing, with all the inserts intact? (a poster, two black inner sleeves, and four heavy duty cards - beware of substitutions, later pressings had thinner cards, even the inners get switched, the originals were soft paper and damaged very, very easily, they have their own special feel and look). The number of this copy is 0167283, a lot of emphasise is always placed on the number - too much as far as I am concerned barring the real low ones. Let’s face it, every copy of this record is unique, every one is a ‘one off’ copy with its own individual number. The important thing is the early copies actually had a number, later pressings had none. Beware of fakes too, it should feel lightly pressed into the cover, lightly rub your finger over the number to see if it remains sound and sharp.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: XEX 709-1; 710-1; 711-3 and 712-1. The stampers are:1 G; 4 MG; 1 G GM and 4 GAP.

Brief Artist & Album Info: A legendary issue, now regarded as one of the very best Beatles albums - it is probably just about my personal favourite anway (subject to change). A massively diverse collection that covers just about all musical styles - from pop, ballads, country, rag-time, rock, blues and way out psychedelia. Some sublime moments that most interested readers of this advert will already know. I feel what’s actually on offer and the condition is the more important information. Suffice to say a mono copy of this classic is vitally important and must rank as one of the most collectable and truly essential mono albums to own - along with Let it Bleed, Satanic Majesties Request, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and (a highly biased opinion) the Verve era Zappa albums, simply because the sound mix and contents are so different from the stereo and later pressed copies. The mono mix on this record is unique and gives a different insight into the music, a dynamic and detailed sound that makes the ‘Revolution 9’ song much easier to follow and understand –this is a pretty scary listen especially through headphones. The sheer manic nirvana of ‘Helter Skelter’ is very noteworthy too, the basslines grind like never before and of course that famous line ‘I’ve got blisters...’ is completely missing. Subtle differences lie within and to state the obvious both stereo and mono versions are truly essential. This copy is pretty exceptional, the best mono copy I have seen for years and easily the best copy I have ever had to offer. It shows its great age little - the cover is strong with the best shaped, massively thick spine I have ever seen. This famous sleeve always seems to wear badly, a double set in a top loading format rarely survive looking perfect - this one is very attractive and sound, grading at EX++, many might even say better, I am being deliberately as conservative with grading this set to the point of being ultra cautious. I am regularly told I undergrade - well better than overgrading I say. The two original inners are amazing, many of these are missing or torn to shreds these days. The four thick cards are in fantastic shape with little wear and the poster is very strong also and still unmounted, clean and untorn. Beware again of later German printed posters being slipped into older records just to make the set look better. The records are very heavily pressed and super clean (more on that further down). Early mono pressing have deep, wide grooves and and sounds embedded in them are unique with breathtaking sound. I played this copy in its entirety (as I do most all the records I sell), with a critical ear, I can remember no pops or clicks which in itself has to be pretty remarkable for an album this age, popularity and type. Surface sounds is minimal and any traces of distortion is very minimal and any present is confined just to brief moments on a couple of songs. I can honestly say very little came even close to spoiling my delight and sheer pleasure in hearing this sensational album in glorious original mono sound again – its been sometime since the last one I offered. A copy that will appeal to many collectors - even the serious Beatles collector should consider this one - complete mono copies that grade above EX or higher are getting rare. I recently saw a private seller with eight ‘Whites’ in stock, all below what I consider EX, ranging from Good to VG, with a few ‘pieces’ slightly higher, even if these were ‘mixed and matched’ not even one copy at a true EX could have been made up. That’s how hard it is to find a complete EX or above Mono copy of this title. If you need a mono copy of this one, it could be just the one you have been waiting for, a superb all round copy that plays as good as it looks. More details on everything is below, as stated this is hyper-critically graded, how many copies of this album gets offered without even a mention of what it actually sounds like? - this is just so important for this mono version, all mono albums have a high risk factor, visuals tell you little. Distortion and groove wear sound cannot be seen and a critical play-grade is the very least any dealer can offer to an interested buyer, personally I would not recommend any vintage album that gets graded by visuals alone. (please refer again to my mono vs stereo paragraph further down, I cannot reiterate enough the importance to mono records especially about groove wear from thick and heavy needles from the past).

Cover Grade and Format: EX(+) at least. Its a gatefold format and laminated all over. Its number is 00167283 and of course is a top load loader. The centrefold has two huge flipbacks and it was printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod and Lofthouse International Ltd. This has a massive thick spine, measured at 7/16 ths of an inch (just under the half inch). Embossed The BEATLES on the front also. A very fine example of one of the most wear-prone covers ever. Always bashed, creased, flaking or dried out laminate, badly shaped with crushed spines. The sheer weight of the records made this relatively ‘flimsy’ cover suffer and this one is way above average and still looks white and attractive. Bar two corner tip area creases on the front right I would have graded this still higher at EX(+++).

Cover Lamination: Pretty much fully intact on all surfaces which is no mean achievement, this has a habit of drying out and peeling or blistering. The only two tiny laminate chips are on those two corner tip areas on the front. Any creasing is minimal, very few and light, again the exception rather than the rule too. It has a deep glossy shine and is devoid of dulling or friction marks (again unusual). Any pressmarks are ultra light and barely even visible and there is no ringwear - the records are just so heavy, yes even laminated sleeves can suffer this and often do in a double set. A cover like this rarely ever escapes completely unless the records are stored outside, how many ever were? The laminated has bonded neatly and attractively around the embossed ‘The BEATLES’ name on the front, any tightening around these letters is very light and minimal and probably remains the neatest I’ve yet seen on a vintage mono copy. The actual embossing is superb, completely unflattened or worn and still fully laminated. The interior laminate is lovely and remains clean and fresh, even on the giant flipbacks. No serious marks or indentations and even surface blemishes are minute and minimal also – laminate this clean and sound on a White Album will not show up too often these days.

Cover Front: Super attractive really with any blemishes tiny. A basic design to say the least but its simplicity is its beauty. The vitally important thing to say first is its completely untorn, so many are, especially around the entrance areas. It’s clean and any discolouration over its long life is minimal, this has no yellowing or toning which again is all too common especially when kept in a smoker’s house. This appears still very white, I suppose if this was put next to a brand new copy or a later pressed version it it will still look fresh and clean. This cover never repairs well and its more than obvious if one has been, well this one has NOT, its devoid of damage and wear on the front, and most potential bidders can feel confident this looks very pleasant to the eye. The unique numbers are clean and solid and very pronounced still, all are perfect and totally unworn or faded (many do fade with age, not here). The only small blemishes are those right corner tips and a couple of very faint creases.

Cover Back: All very similar again, terrific glossy finish and very white and clean.

Cover Gatefold Inner: Not too much to fault here, the four b/w pictures are perfect and the two flipbacks will not be found much better. Still firmly stuck down and unfrayed and devoid of the end of laminate dirty line that often forms. The centre hinge fold is still fully laminated and its even uncracked, that’s quite unusual on this one. This still gives a moderate crackle sound when opened and more so when closed. Again the odd small and light crease but only covers like this kept in ‘cotton wool’ will not have the odd one or two.

Top Edges: The record entry edges: very neat and sharp, this has clearly been treated with care and great respect. Very wide openings stemming from that massive thick spine. No tears or splits and no trimming. Any traces of feathering are almost so little its an insult to even mention any. This most vulnerable edge will rarely be seen this neat.

Bottom Edge: Virtually unworn and still fully laminated with no cracks or peeling.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp and again virtually wear-free, with laminate as above, the protective cover has done a fine job over the years protecting all the edges.

Spine and Text: Massively thick, never seen one quite like it ever. Solid, pretty square, very little traces of compression and certainly not crushed and straight with little real wear. The spine text, which has both the mono and stereo cat numbers is perfect under solid and uncracked or peeled laminate. Very slightly lifted near the bottom, simply opening the cover will force this to happen but its only minimal on this fantastic thick spine, all still very solid.

Corners: The spine pair show barely a trace of any wear and retain great square shape. The back right pair are similar with again little wear at all. The front right pair have tip creases and tiny laminate chips but still only mildly blemished put into context.

Cover Summary: A superb all round example of this fragile late 60’s cover, one that could prove very difficult to find significantly better, you will find far worse versions I can say with all confidence, two, three even four grades lower. This cover does not tolerate abuse or heavy handedness well, its tattyness is well known and finding one that pleases visually is getting far harder. This strong clean item should please many potential collectors, even connoisseurs can consider this one, given all the facts its a terrific example.

Inners: EX+++, if you think the cover is prone to wear, these are as fragile as any part of this set gets. Just finding the pair inside is often a bonus, and these two are pretty immaculate really. They are both mini-flipbacked in construction and have the entry edge shaped. Neither were lined and they were very prone to splitting, tearing and becoming tatty very fast. Firstly these are unsplit or torn and that has to be rare. The bottoms had a manufacture small opening on the left and right and the bridge between are both fully intact with no repairs anywhere – guaranteed. There is some very mild ruffling but no heavy creasing in the true sense of the word. Both are clean and look attractive and even ultra delicate entrance edges are neat with hardly any wear traces or friction marks proving to me this pair of records have made the trip out hardly ever. Friction rubs to these fragile surfaces, simply by their removal from the cover, can expose the delicate nature of the paper type. This matt black paper frays and even can become ‘fluffy’ around the edges, they have a unique look and feel and no foreign inners can be substituted to fool anyone (I would suggest). The very thick records have obviously left their shape impression, that’s totally unavoidable if the LPs have been kept inside. Overall a stunning pair of inners, again the best I have personally seen on a ‘White’. A very important part of the set and no copy is complete without them.

Cards: All thick originals that have a semi-gloss finish. John: EX+++, Super clean, uncreased or torn, front has a mild pressmark which can only be seen under angled light. The back is clean and unmounted. George: Mint(-), Clean, one microscopic crease trace, untorn, front and back are super clean and attractive. Paul: Mint(-) pretty much the same as George, one tiny corner tip crease if being ultra critical. Ringo: EX+++ similar again, A tiny surface blemish near left ear area which again is practically invisible unless scrutinised. A tiny black mark on top right hand corner tip area, almost certainly a printing press registration trim mark. All are unmounted and have no pin holes etc. All retain a nice sheen, freshness and high attractiveness factor, all backs are clean and neat with no yellowing or toning.

Poster: EX+++ to Mint(-). Little short of perfect really, unmounted, no extra unwanted creases and no tearing or marks. All the fold lines are pretty solid with just the crossover folds showing tiny amounts of wear. The imprint states Printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod & Lofthouse – again beware of the German printed versions being substituted.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Critically graded at – Side One: Mint(-) odd faint surface trace; Side Two: Mint(-) odd faint surface trace; Side Three: EX+++ odd faint surface trace, one other tiny superficial mark; Side Four: EX++ odd light surface trace, two small surface marks, totally superficial. Sides three and four probably undergraded really. Both massive thick pressed records, indistinct banding, super clean, rich shine and jet black. A stunning mono pair the likes that rarely get seen these days. Just compare to what is normally seen, dulled, bland examples covered in fingermarks and thick dust or grime. So often a patchwork of scratches or marks with shabby spindle cratered labels – these are light years away from those types – chalk and cheese – I wont offer Beatles albums like that. If you see Oneadayrecords offering a Beatles album, rest assured it will be a nice one, this goes beyond ‘nice’ this is exceptional. A mono copy clearly only lightly played, the stunning visuals will tell you this in an instant, but being a mono copy I still would not be convinced until the play-grade – for all the reasons I state in my Mono vs Stereo paragraph further down, the listening was crucial for an album that can sometimes sound terrible when subjected to crude or worn mono needles. Distortion from groove wear being the hidden peril.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Always a nervous time on one of the greatest albums ever issued in mono. I am fast running out of space to go into huge detail but: These four sides play mostly to their visual grading. Mono records were never designed to be played on modern stereo decks and the fact a set like this can still play with a high degree of detail, dynamics and mostly clean, clear sound is testament to the quality manufacture of this pair of Apple records and also the care of the original owner. Surface noise, distortion and high frequency break up is the important factor, my Rega 3 takes no prisoners for hiding imperfections, and super-fi Linns go still further. I found this set massively very pleasing and for most all – simply astonishing and awesome. The sound and mix is truly awesome – sides one and two, so often bare the brunt of overplaying as they are the ‘more popular’ more commercial sides. There is a very mild trace of surface sound on ‘Back in the USSR’ and similar on ‘Dear Prudence’, this being pretty much the most on the whole set, still very light and minor put into context – I am fussy and this I found ultra mild and totally acceptable. Thereafter superb sound the rest of the side. The only tiny trace of clipping one side two was on ‘Blackbird’, a notoriously difficult song to ever play dead silent and distortion-free, this played way, way above average too. Again most others terrific. Side three plays close to perfect throughout, even the incredible ‘Helter Skelter’ the sound totally blew me away, the sheer power and dynamics are breathtaking, making the stereo version sounding more lightweight. Side four again gives an awesome display, the mayhem of ‘Revolution No 9’ is beyond my words, the mono mix here is staggering. The vast majority of this copy plays supremely well, near perfect infact, even the quiet more delicate songs like ‘Julia’ and ‘Long, Long Long’ play generally quiet. There are just the faintest hints of mild sound blemish in a few places, but really few. The very final song ‘Good Night’ I have yet to hear play perfectly in mono, but this one really does gives very solid account of itself - the inner most bands being the most vulnerable as explained below. I am a very discerning listener and most all passed my critical threshold. Its not entirely perfect but most tracks gives a stunning account of themself. A set that will perform admirably for many years with a lightweight modern stylus. I was generally delighted with these four sides, its only after hearing lower grade, poor, worn copies with high frequency clipping and distortion to make you fully appreciate a copy like this. I guarantee this copy plays right through effortlessly with NO jumps, sticks - any surface sounds are ultra light and largely absent altogether and no pops or clicks were noted. The very dynamic and loud mono mix will thrill. Any mild distortion and high frequency clipping is minimal and ultra mild. Every song has its own traits and vulnerability to this with some being more prone, but most have escaped. This album’s sound cannot be overstated, it has to be experienced from the original vinyl, nothing else is quite the same. I strongly recommend this fantastic pair with only the tiniest minor reservations for the connoisseurs.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: I make no apologies for the length and detail of what’s available here - its importance demands it. White Albums are fast running out now and any interested person needs to know what will be turning up. This set is a roller-coaster ride of mixed entertainment, one minute quiet and delicate, the next blistering volume and stunning sound. The Beatles most experimental issue, brave and daring, it has classic written all over it and justifiably so. The mono mix is very special and very different. If I had to put a grading on this for sound quality alone it would be between EX lowest (the odd couple of ‘difficult’ tracks as stated) up to Mint(-) or even beyond. Most all songs play magnificently with awesome mono sound. A very popular 37-year-old mono record realistically will never be totally perfect these days, but this it up there with the very best I have heard for any Beatles title. On a more modest deck this will probably sound perfect, a more revealing deck works both ways, bringing out the amazing unique sound only mono records can offer, along with the blemishes. My middle range deck made this sound superb and as stated little spoilt my pleasure throughout the four sides. I keep my minimum selling price sensible for this one, I want all have a chance and I hope the winner enjoys it as much as I did. Just holding this gives pleasure, a high investment potential copy, it might just be the best you see (or hear) offered on Ebay for some time. Records like this are better than cash in the bank with Guide values rising faster than UK petrol prices. Just think this copy was issued when the Fab Four were still actually together recording - happy times indeed – Mike.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

I decided to add this text to help new collectors and younger people just starting their vinyl collections (I hope it will even be of interest to all vinyl lovers too). This helps me save time by not repeating these comments in my actual advert areas which is all very time-consuming.

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Doors, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in marks and scratches, many severe and labels that were looking a real mess. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–66; Around 67–68 the balance was roughly equal, then from late 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £4.00; Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £7.00

Europe Air Mail: = £5 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £8; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

Mailing Details: Please note I do NOT profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more and I often actually lose money on this part of service - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be worthwhile.

I no longer accept cash for payments for non-UK winning bidders – its too risky. UK buyers CAN send cash if they wish via Special Delivery. Paypal payment only in UK Sterling please.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirety for grading if at all possible and is usually the case for virtually all records offered. Good luck to all again.