PLEASE PLEASE ME PMC 1202 RARE 1ST BLACK & GOLD LABEL DICK JAMES CREDITS LP

	£		200
	$		265

The Beatles

PLEASE PLEASE ME

PMC 1202 1st Mono Press From 1963

Masters XEX 421-1N / XEX 422-1N

This is where it all began, The Beatles first official LP release on the 1st press labels.

The pressing run began in March 1963 on the old Parlophone Black and Gold labels, with the incorrect Dick James credits for 'I Saw Her Standing There', 'Misery', 'Do You Want To Know A Secret', and 'There's A Place'. The typesetter at EMI had not yet been informed that The Beatles had set up their own publishing company Northern Songs for their own original compositions. The corrected change came about quickly in April-May 1963 resulting in 2nd press labels, after which the Black & Gold Parlophone labels were phased out altogether, and by summer of that year the retail outlets were stocking the new Yellow & Black labels.

Comes in the correct sleeve which housed the Black & Gold labels, this is indicated by the 'Photo: Angus McBean' text being offset to the far right of the bottom corner, starting below the end of the last 's' in songs.

 Sleeve: In a Very Good condition, and unlike most you would find all flipbacks are completely intact with all the original text, including the title text on the spine, and the sleeve has no stains, looking very clean and white on the reverse with clear black text.

The iconic front pictorial retains its original shiny gloss with lamination intact all over.

There is clear tape over parts of the spine and edges, and a small date written neatly on reverse.

A neat and clean sleeve which is still sturdy and firm with no rips.

1st Edition Gold sleeve Printed and Made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd with first flat flip-back design.

Inner Sleeve: Fully intact excellent original EMI Emitex advertising plain white PATENTS APPLIED FOR poly-lined inner.

The Vinyl Disc:  Side 1: Overall Good Condition

                        Side 2: Overall Very Good Condition

The vinyl surfaces retain their first pressed shine with no dulling and have clean grooves.

Side 1 has a few lightly feelable scratch marks on the first track 'I Saw Her Standing There' in an area of other non-feelable scuff marks which are captured in the photos. 

The rest of the surface is very good.

Side 2 has faired much better looking fresh with no feelable scratches, and other than some light superficial hairline marks visible in bright light, the surface is excellent.

There are no warps on either side.

The record lays completely flat on the turntable, and looks clean.

 Manufactured on robust heavy 173 gram early sixties vinyl.

The labels are Very Good; the spindle location point has light wear around its perimeter area but no heavy spindle lines traces.

The Gold text is complete and clear and bright and contrasts well against the black label. 

No sticker or sticker residue.

The Parlophone Co. text around outer rim.

Without the tax code embossed on the label, which is quite a rarity.

This is the 1st variation label before any adjustment were made to the layout of the1st press label. Note that the song title text layout,  '(Dick James....' on the second and third line on Side1 are not yet in line, and on Side 2 '1. Love Me Do' starts after 'Beechwood' below it.

Early mother/ stamper configuration confirms this LP was probably pressed around the first week.

Side 1: 2 GM

Side 2: 1 GA

The Audio: Very Good Overall

 Side 1 plays with skips on the 1st track 'I Saw Her Standing There' and another quick skip on 'Anna', the remainder play really well with the odd tick here and there/ light background hiss.

Side 2 has little lessening in the original audio quality, playing smoothly from start to finish with excellent clarity but does have some general light ticks in places.

Both sides play without pops, crackling, or sticks.

A very good rendition on the whole of this rare first iconic LP of the greatest band of all time.

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The LP will be delivered in a quality double-part cardboard LP mailer with stifferners. 

The record placed separately in a plain generic inner to prevent wear to the original.

Also comes housed in a PVC record protector.

Item will be marked as fragile and sent special delivery with quick dispatch.

To grade this LP I am using the official Grading System from 

The Rare Record Collector Magazine.

Happy to refund on return if not satisfied.

If any further info. required please ask.