Introducing The Beatles - RARE Vers. 1 Vee-Jay MONO Column Back LP (1964) VG+

$

175

RARE Authentic version 1 Mono "Introducing The Beatles" (column "titles" back).  Spizer version: VJ 1062(2).MR1A with the original oval Vee-Jay logo on the labels.

This is the true 1st American Beatles LP.  It was released 10 days (10 January 1964) BEFORE Capitol Records released "Meet The Beatles".  Contrary to popular belief, this LP was NOT released in 1963.  Vee-Jay ordered the parts to make the master, mother, and pressers needed to manufacture this record in mid-1963, but due to financial issues over the summer, Vee-Jay ended up shelving this LP until Capitol Record's Beatle-Mania blitz of the USA started in November 1963.  The 'free' publicity provided by Capitol caused Vee-Jay to change their minds late in 1963 and they decided to 'cash in' since they already had the rights to the songs on this yet-unreleased (in the USA) LP.  After it's release, however, Capitol Records sued Vee-Jay Records claiming they did not have the legal rights to release this LP.  Within 2 weeks of release, Vee-Jay ended up changing this LP (taking off "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You") and creating a "version 2" with "Ask Me Why" and "Please Please Me").  

The version 2 of this LP is much more common since it was released from late Jan. 1964 through Oct. 1964.  The version 1 (what I have for sale here) was essentially only released over a period of 1.5-2 weeks or so before version 2 was released.

Yes, this is an authentic copy..

1. "The Beatles" name is above the center spindle hole on the label, 

2. Rainbow color band label has all of the colors gradually transitioning into each other (including green) and the label is properly centered,

3. "63-3402", "63-3403", "AudioMatrix", and "URJ" are stamped in the deadwax (run out area), 

4. Album cover shows George's shadow on the right side, 

5. "Honey" has NO missing ink on the rear cover where the song "A Taste Of Honey" is listed, 

6. Interior cover flaps are 1/4" in height. 

7. Front glossy photo and front/rear text is crisp and clear. 

Graded at VG+ (cover and record) using the visual grading standards of the Cox/Daniels "Price Guide For The Beatles American Records" (6th edition). 

There is some minor wear at the top and bottom seams (but no seam splits) of the cover and very light ring wear at the bottom (in the usual spot for this LP cover).  A very small amount of corner 'bumping'.  A manufacturer's stamp "INSP. By E.Z." is stamped on the rear cover's bottom.  Very minor light staining on the rear cover's left side that may be able to be carefully cleaned off.  Keep in mind that Vee-Jay didn't start shrink-wrapping its LPs until mid-1964, so only the later releases of the version 2 copies of this LP would have been shrinked by the manufacturer.  No version 1 copies of this LP were issued by Vee-Jay shrink-wrapped.

The record has some minor shallow scratches and scuffs (none more than 1" long), and no skips or pops when playing this LP.  No writing on the labels; the labels are in very nice shape!  The label printing of the album title is the Large Print variety.  The last photo shows some of the minor scuffs on the record.

A very nice piece of rock and roll history!  Album will be shipped in a rigid cardboard mailer for protection. Payment is due within 3 days of the auction's end. 

Note - The Stan Panenka "Standard Price Guide For American Beatles Records 2nd Edition" (2014) value for a version 1 MONO copy of this LP in VG+ condition is about $500.