BEATLES White Album Rare UK Mono COMPLETE Nice Copy.

	£		245
	$		325

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 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 ellusive 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 entirity, 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. 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: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions of their intended payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions. NOTE: I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNREGISTERED USERS, I will cancel them immediately, and sorry, I cannot give valuations on people’s personal items just for their own curiosity, no item can be accurately valued blindly.

Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: THE BEATLES

Album Title: The Beatles - known afectionally as the White Album

Cat Number: PMC 7067/8. Mono (This was issued in stereo too).

Label and Condition: Apple, the early very dark format. Very attractive and clean examples that show between moderate(-) to moderate(+) spindle traces, this evidence is only a guide to the number of plays. Far more importantly, wear around the spindle hole areas is virtually nil. There is next to no wear here and all the ink on the design is fully intact and a snug fit on my Rega is still very much present. Judging by the labels visuals and the actual sound reproduction, this has had less than average use - but what is average for a record like this? Well let’s say a high percentage of Beatles albums were played into submission and trashed beyond use - mono copies especially were worst affected. I have seen many, simply in such a state they are totally worthless, putting this copy into context, its a very nice one, the labels look terrific, the spindle marks are faint, no deep impressions or indents etc - far from it - and only show when viewed closely. (Please see label scan for all information needed, only picture restriction stops me printing them all, they are all the same superb visual quality and have nothing untoward e.g. stickers, writing or damage etc and also please refer to my paragraph further down mono vs stereo.).

Country of Manufacture: Gt Britain

Rarity: I still maintain that Beatles albums are not rare, they sold far too many copies to say ‘Rare’ except for the early stereos and late monos, but copies, the later monos especially, 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 worthy of audio use and visually pleasing, with all the inserts intact? (a poster, two black inner sleeve, 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). This is a mid-five figure copy (0045518), 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, the number is under the laminate, and should feel lightly embossed, ink removal should be impossible, 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; 711-1 and 712-1. The stampers are:1-0M; 5-TT; 2-LM and 7-LL.

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 anyway (subject to change). A massively diverse collection that covers just about all their styles - from pop, ballads, to frenzied 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, it almost lets you into the recording studio, a dynamic and detailed sound that makes the ‘Revolution No. 9’ song much easier to follow and understand. 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 differenence lie within these vintage grooves and to state the obvious both stereo and mono versions are essential. This copy is nice, way better than average, but it shows its age and use a little - the cover is strong, its always fares and wears badly this one, a double set in a top loading format rarely survive looking perfect - this one is around EX(-), many would say better, I am being deliberately 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 quite nice, many of these are missing or torn to shreds these days. The four thick cards are in fine shape with little wear and the poster is superb and still unmounted, clean and untorn. The records are very heavily pressed and clean but have some surface marks. The remarkable think about this early mono pressing is the grooves are deep and wide, these marks are almost totally ignored, there is nothing I would classify as a scratch in the true sense of the word anyway. The marks are paper scuffs, hairlines and surface marks. I played this copy in its entirity (as I do 95 per cent of all the records I sell), with a critical ear, the marks are all superficial, I can remember few pops or ticks which has to be pretty remarkable for an album this age and type. There is a little surface sound in this few odd places, but I can honestly say little spoilt my pleasure in hearing this sensational album in glorious original mono sound again. A copy that will appeal to many collectors - not the perfectionists maybe - but complete copies of this in EX+ or higher will command premium, and often unaffordable prices. If you need a mono copy of this one, it could be just the one you have been waiting for, a very solid all round copy that may just not break the bank balance. More details on everything is below, as stated this is hyper-critically graded, how many copies of this album get 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 reitterate enough the importance to mono records especially about groove wear from thick and heavy needles from the past, Dansettes ruined or simply wrote-off many classics like this - but what was the alternative?).

Cover Grade and Format: EX(-) at very least, more like EX really because this nice and way ahead of some I have seen graded far higher. Its a gatefold format and laminated all over. Its number is 0045518 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.

Cover Lamination: Fully intact on all surfaces which is no mean achievement, this has a habit of drying out and peeling or blistering but not on this one. Creasing is minimal and light, again the exception rather than the rule too. It has a nice shine without too much in the way of dulling. Pressmarks are light and there is no real ringwear - the records are just so heavy, in a double set a cover like this never escapes completely unless the records are stored outside, how many ever were? A couple of small, light cracks on front and back but its almost the least that can be expected. 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 copy. The actual embossing is superb, completely unflattened or worn and still fully laminated, this regularly cracks off the raised lettering. The interior laminate is lovely and remains clean and fresh, even on the giant flipbacks. There is light surface marks and a couple of mild indentations on the back, but laminate this clean and sound on a White Album will not show up too often.

Cover Front: Very attractive really with just the odd light surface mark. A basic design to say the least but its simplicity is its beauty - its always had a luxurious feel to it and this remains so here. 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 little effect of yellowing which again is all too common especially when kept in a smoker’s house. This appears quite white still, I suppose if this was put next to a brand new copy or a later pressed version it might appear a little more so, but as a stand alone White Album, this looks real nice. This cover never repairs well and its more than obvious if one has been, well this one has NOT, its virtually devoid of damage and wear on the front, and most potential bidders can feel confident this looks very pleasant to the eye. The embossed letters are clean and solid and very pronounced still, the number is perfect and totally unworn or faded (many do fade with age - not here).

Cover Back: A few more small creases than the front with the odd extra surface mark but still highly respectable and clean. Many poorer copies would be happy to look this good still.

Cover Gatefold Inner: Not too much to fault here, the four b/w pictures are perfect and the two flipbacks will not be found 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.

Top Edges: The record entry edges, very neat and sharp, this has clearly been treated with respect, wear is just near the very corner ends.

Bottom Edge: Unworn and still fully laminated, no splits.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear, the protective cover has done a fine job over the years protecting all the edges.

Spine and Text: Solid and square with little real wear, a ridge has formed in the central area as they will on all but unused copies (if any exist). Simply opening the cover does this. The spine text, which states the word mono and its cat number, proving this is no substitute cover, is fully intact but quite tricky to see. The spine laminate is very solid but has the characteristic of light cracking that gives a mild rough feel - again just about all have this too.

Corners: All have a little mild wear, the spine top and bottom the most with a little gentle fraying, quite honestly this is just about the most wear to be found on this fine cover, I still think I have undergraded this one but best be safe.

Cover Summary: A fine all round example of this fragile late 60’s cover, one that could prove hard to find significantly better, you will find far worse versions I can say with all confidence. This cover does not tolerate abuse or gross mishandling, its tattyness is well known and finding one that pleases visually is getting far harder. This strong item should please many potential collectors, connoisseurs and perfectionists maybe not, but still maybe worth considering.

Inners: Around EX(-), if you think the cover is prone to wear, these inners are as fragile as any part of this set gets. Just finding the pair inside is often a bonus, and these two are very solid indeed. They are both mini-flipbacked in construction and have one side die cut. Neither were lined and they were very prone to splitting, tearing and becoming tatty very fast. Firstly these are unsplit and that has to be rare. The bottoms had a manufacture small opening on the left and right but the bridge between are both fully intact. There is some mild ruffling/creasing but both are clean and look attractive. a couple of tiny splits around the die cut hole have been improved by myself, and why not, they look far nicer now. The very tops have frayed a little and have a few nicks but when all is said they cannot survive devoid of any wear and (minor) tear. The back of one has ‘friction’ rubs to surface, simply caused by their removal from the cover, which exposes the paper type, this matt black paper frays and even can bobble, they have a unique look and feel and no foreign inners can be substituted to fool anyone (I would suggest). 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+, Clean, uncreased or untorn, front has a mild printing line visible, I have seen this before and probably is on many. The back has a few small light marks. George: Mint(-), Clean, uncreased or torn, front and back are very clean. Paul: pretty much the same as George. Ringo: same again, tiny crease at top left corner only, barely even shows. All are unmounted and have no pin holes etc. All retain a nice sheen and freshness.

Poster: Near perfect, unmounted, no extra unwanted creases and no tearing or marks. All the fold lines are solid and unthinned. The fine print on the bottom states printed in Germany.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: All four sides are around and between: EX(-) to around EX, all have light and mild surface traces/odd light paper scuff and hairlines. No sinister deep marks or scratches as stated earlier, virtually all are ignored, there may just be the odd faint tick on ‘Revolution No 9’ but who can tell for sure in the chaos on that one?, brief only and very mild too. The records are clean and retain a decent shine. Both are very heavily pressed and remain very black. There are definitely no heavy needle drops on this one, yes more spindle traces than I would normally like but the sound still generally leads me to think not too heavily played, more detail below on what it sounds like.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: These four sides play above 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 high detail, definition, dynamics and mostly clean, clear sound is testament to the quality manufacture of this pair of Apple records. 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 largely very pleasing, the sound and mix is truly awesome - ‘Helter Skelter’ blew me away, the sheer power and dynamics is breathtaking, making the stereo version sounding more lean. The vast majority of this copy plays supremely well, even the quiet more delicate songs like ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Long, Long Long’ play pretty quiet. There are just the faintest hints of mild sound wear in a few places, but few really. The very final song ‘Good Night’ has the most mild sound degrading with some mild clipping - the inner most bands being the most vulnerable as explained below. I am a very fussy and critical listener and little I heard spoiled this copy, some I have heard simply never get offered, or bought - this copy easily makes the grade to offer. Its not perfect but gives a high account of itself. A set that will perform admirably for many more plays with a lightweight modern stylus. I was pleasantly surprised to be quite honest how well these four sides did perform. Its always a nervous time play-grading a set with any marks present - I guarantee this copy plays right through effortlessly with NO jumps, sticks - any surface sounds are light and very gentle, it almost adds to the character, much is lost in the very dynamic and loud mono mix. Distortion and high frequency clipping is infrequent and mild. Every song has its own traits and vulnerability to this with some being more prone. This album’s sound cannot be overstated, it has to be experienced from the original vinyl, nothing else is quite the same - warts and all, this is more like an ageing princess than an old witch. I still strongly recommend this pair with minor reservations.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important but this one BOTH versions are non-debatable. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, 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 mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. 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 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 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.

Track Listing: 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; Martha my dear; I’m so tired; Blackbird; Piggies; Rocky raccoon; Dont pass my by; Why dont we do it in the road?; I will; Julia; Birthday; Yer blues; Mother natures son; Everybodys got something to hide except me and my monkey; Sexy Sadie; Helter skelter; Long, long long; Revolution 1; Honey pie; Savoy truffle; Cry baby cry; Revolution 9; Good night.

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. Mono 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. I would love to put a Mint(-) grading on this one, but how often will a genuine copy turn up like that? If I had to put a grading on this for sound quality alone it would be between EX(-) lowest (the odd track as stated) up to Mint(-) highest, with some inbetween. A large number of songs play magnificently with awesome mono sound. A lot depends on what you expect from a 36 year old mono record and what you intend to play it on. On a more modest deck this will probably sound near perfect, a revealing deck works both ways bring out the very good with the indifferent. My middle range deck made this sound nice and as stated little spoilt my pleasure. I keep my minimum selling price sensible for this one, to give all a fair chance and I hope the winner enjoys it as much as I did. Just holding this gives pleasure, just think this copy was issued when the Fab Four were still actually together recording - happy times indeed. – Mike.

Payment Details please read carefully:

UK First Class: = £2.50; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £4.00 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £6.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

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 is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do not profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more. 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 given.

I accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders own risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

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 entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.

Firstly, I have been informed the unique cover number was printed atop the laminate, not under as stated in the advert. I have also been told this number is moderately low (there are two zeros in front, so maybe this was an oversight on my behalf - condition is still the most important thing for me)

Also I have now found the UK G&L printed poster, it was mistakingly put into my later stereo copy I have in stock. The condition of this poster is the same as the described one. Unmounted near mint. This makes this set all 'properly' complete again.

Sorry for the errors, but they have been rectified ASAP.

Thanks to all for reading this advert. - Mike