The Beatles For Sale 1st Press 1964 Sample Record + 1st Press Cover In Ex+ Cond

	£		71
	$		94

I am selling off some of my collection and over the next few months and will be listing some very nice and very rare albums and singles from the 50's through to the 90's!! I will be listing The Beatles, Cream, Purple, Zeppplin, The Stones, Small Faces, Floyd, Creedence Clearwater, Beach Boys and many, many more so please add me to your watch list as I may have something you need to help complete you collection!!!!

Artist or Band: The Beatles 

Album/Single Title: Beatles For  Sale

Producer(s): George Martin

Cat Number: PMC 1240

Label/Format: Parlophone Black and Yellow with Matt surface.

Country of Manufacture: UK

Stamper Codes: Side 1:2 over a 5 and TO  Side 2: 4 and GRT

Other Etchings: None

Musicians: John Lennon: Lead, Harmony and Backing Vocals; Acoustic and Rhythm Guitars; Harmonica; Tambourine, Handclaps. Paul McCartney: Lead, Harmony and Backing Vocals; Bass and Acoustic Guitars; Piano, Hammond Organ; Handclaps. George Harrison. Harmony and Backing Vocals; Lead (6- and 12-String) and Acoustic Guitars; African Drum, Handclaps; Lead Vocals on "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby". Ringo Starr. Drums, Tambourine, Maracas, Timpani, Cowbell, Packing Case, Bongos; Lead Vocals on "Honey Don't. George Martin: Piano and Producer.

Brief Artist & Album Info: "Beatles For Sale" is the fourth studio album by the The Beatles. It was released on 4 December 1964 in the United Kingdom on EMI's Parlophone label. Eight of the album's fourteen tracks appeared on Capitol Records' concurrent release, Beatles '65, issued in North America only. The album marked a departure from the ebullient tone that had characterised the Beatles' previous work, partly due to the band's exhaustion after a series of tours that had established them as a worldwide phenomenon in 1964. The songs introduced darker musical moods and more introspective lyrics, with John Lennon adopting an autobiographical perspective in compositions such as "I'm a Loser" and "No Reply". The album also reflected the twin influences of country music and Bob Dylan, whom the Beatles met in New York in August 1964.

The Beatles recorded the album at EMI Studios in London in between their touring and radio engagements. Partly as a result of the group's hectic schedule, only eight of the tracks are original compositions, with cover versions of songs by artists such as Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Little Richard being used to complete the album. The sessions also produced a non-album single, "I Feel Fine" backed by "She's a Woman".

The sessions for Beatles for Sale began at EMI Studios on 11 August, one month after the release of A Hard Day's Night. The majority of the recording sessions took place during a three-week period beginning on 29 September, following the band's return from the US tour. Much of the production was done on "days off" from performances in the UK, and most of the songwriting was completed in the studio.

George Harrison recalled that the band had become more sophisticated about recording techniques: "Our records were progressing. We'd started out like anyone spending their first time in a studio, nervous and naive and looking for success. By this time we'd had loads of hits and were becoming more relaxed with ourselves, and more comfortable in the studio. We were beginning to do a little overdubbing, too, probably a four-track." The sessions resulted in the first use of a fade-in on a pop song, at the start of "Eight Days a Week", and the first time that guitar feedback had been incorporated in a pop recording, on "I Feel Fine".

CONDITION

Labels: 1st Pressings are on the Black and Yellow Parlophone Label with ''The Parlophone Co.'' text in the perimeter and the ''Sold in the UK'' subject to the Center of the Label. They also have the KT tax code Embossed. The Black and Yellow Parlophone Labels are both in Superb condition with Hardly any signs of Spindle Wear or Spider Marks to be seen. There is no Writing, Label Lifts or Splits. The bright Yellow Printing looks absolutely Stunning against the deep Black backdrop. All of the Silver printing Is readable and Unfaded. The ONLY thing that Spoils them is that on Side 2: there is a slight Rub just Above the Beatles For Sale Title. Apart from that you Really would be hard pressed to find a much better copy of these Labels. I would easily grade these as Very Good++/Excellent!!!!

Vinyl: Plays throughout absolutely Superb with very Minimal background noise. There are no Pops, Clicks or Jumps. The record still contains that glossy sheen though there are a couple of very minimal surface marks and thumbnails to be seen, these in NO way interfere with the Superb sound quality. This Album plays up to and  beyond its high visual grading with hardly anything of note to fault. It offers strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. A typical polished production from George Martin. Minimal surface sound and no tracking issues. This play-grade proved a real pleasure when playing this fast disappearing Parlophone album. It will prove quite difficult to find a significantly better copy and merits a very strong recommendation. I would grade both sides as Excellent+!!!!

Cover/Sleeve: This Album has one of the First known appearances of a Gatefold Sleeve record packaging, but this one opens from the Inside. This is an Original 1st Pressing  Laminated Cover. The downbeat mood of Beatles For Sale was reflected in the Album Cover which shows the Unsmiling, weary-looking Beatles in an autumn scene in London's Hyde Park. The Cover photograph was taken by Robert Freeman, who recalled that the concept was briefly discussed with Brian Epstein and the Beatles beforehand, namely that he produce a Colour Image of the group shot at "an outside location towards sunset". Music journalist Lois Wilson describes the result as "the very antithesis of the early-'60s pop star". The Cover carried no band logo or artist credit, and the album title was Rendered in minuscule type compared with the standard LP artwork of the time.

Beatles for Sale was presented in a Gatefold Sleeve a Rare design feature for a contemporary pop LP and the First of the Beatles' UK releases to be packaged in this way. Part of the Inner Gatefold spread showed the band members in front of a photo montage of celebrities, including film stars Victor Mature, Jayne Mansfield and Ian Carmichael, all of whom the Beatles had met during 1964. Wilson comments that the adventurousness of this inner gatefold image anticipated Peter Blake's revolutionary Cover design for the Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

This is a Gatefold fully Laminated format with E.M.I. Records Limited (Controlled by Electric & Musical Industries Limited). Made and Printed in Great Britain printed inside  

Cover Lamination: What a Fantastic front picture. The Laminate still retains a Fine shine and clarity without any Dulling. There are no Rips, Splits, Tears, Marks or Writing anywhere. However there are several Very light Laminate Creases (Not Splits) to the Front and Rear of the Cover.The pinch edged Spine is in Brilliant order (apart from a very small Crease), with all Printing readable. All of the Edges are Perfect apart from a slight Knock to the Bottom left corner. The Inside still looks as if it were printed Only yesterday. This Cover is incredibly difficult to find in Excellent+ condition simply because of the design and age. However I would be happy enough to grade it as Very Good++/Excellent!!!!

Cover Summary: Not seen often, this one is in Superb condition with only gentle clues of age, any blemishes mostly light. A few Laminate Creases are incredibly Hard to Avoid at the barest minimum. This classic cover should (as described) please many collectors.

Inner Sleeve: There is hardly any Creasing and all edges are Unsplit with no Repairs. This lined EMI inner is graded as Very Good++!!!!

Album/Single Played For Grading: I play/grade ALL records I offer before submitting, I also play them in their entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness. I play from the beginning to end. I use a Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge and Linn Lingo, with my Linn system and Forest Totem Speakers. This system is guaranteed  to pick up any distortion or interference within the sound.

Grading: In my opinion I REFUSE to believe that there is ANY record that can be truly graded as Mint, the BEST that could be offered is Mint- (minus)!!!! Especially so from the 50's, 60's, 70's or even up to the present date!!!! Even copies bought new today would have some form of imperfection on the Record or Cover!!!! Under that assumption I will NEVER use the word Mint in any of my descriptions and Mint- is the HIGHEST grade I would ever offer. So I will only from Excellent, Good or Poor with a -(minus), +(plus) or ++(plus,plus)!!!!

Bid With Confidence: I take great care and pride with what I sell and offer a FULL money back guarantee, in the unlikely event of the buyer not agreeing with my description. As long as the item is repacked and returned to me in the same condition it was sent.

Postage: All of my records will be professionally packaged. I use Dependapack Vinyl Record Mailers that have locking tab closures with strong locking tab record wraps. I also use corrugated record stiffeners and extra strong tape marked with Handle With Care. This is to ensure your Valuable Record/s are protected whilst in transit. I will add a nominal fee of .40p to my postage and packaging for this service. Any Record valued at £100 or more I would prefer to send by Special Deliver/International Signed For.