|
GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO INTERSTELLAR VINYL. *** //***IMPORTANT INTERSTELLAR COMMUNICATIONS
In late 2009 and in early 2010, I am auctioning off a small number of records that come from my personal collection. These are volumes that are either duplicated or do not conform to the current focus and scope of my collection. In short, they simply need a good home. And they come from a good home (i.e., the quiet, smoke-free, pet-and-pest-free, dust-free, climate and light controlled, archival-type environment of a true vinyl fanatic), so no worries! Have a look, and have a splendid day.***// ***
THE BEATLES "THE BEATLES" [a/k/a "The White Album"] APPLE PMC-7067/68 (mono) U.K., 1968 VERY LOW JACKET NUMBER 0,002,100!
This is certainly one of the grails in Beatles record collecting - the mono version of the U.K. White Album. You've heard it in stereo, but verily, if you've never heard the White Album's mono counterpart on vinyl, you haven't heard all there is to hear. John, Paul and George Martin convened for one mixing session in mid-October 1968 that lasted a grueling 24 hours in length (the longest Beatles studio session in their storied history), doing the mono mixes for this giant Persian rug of an album. 30 songs in all, it winds everywhere... and listening to all four sides in one sitting will leave your head spinning. While its stereo counterpart is arguably the first truly listenable Beatles record in stereo format, once you hear the shimmering mono mixes, you then realize that the magnitude of this project, over 40 years later, can never be fully comprehended. The vinyl version of the White Album in mono was never released to any major markets outside of the U.K. (Yes, the CD version is now available everywhere in a boxed set, but it's not vinyl... hence, it will always be inferior!)
This release is probably the most essential Beatles to own on vinyl in both stereo and mono, as 28 of the 30 tracks have at least some subtle differences. Here are the thirteen tracks that are markedly different:
"Back In The U.S.S.R." The airplane overdubs occur in different places on the mono and stereo versions.
"Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" The stereo version has hand-clapping during the intro, the mono version does not.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" The stereo version has some vocal sounds from George at the end, the mono version does not.
"Blackbird" The bird sound effects are quite different between the stereo and the mono release.
"Piggies" The pig sound effects are quite different between the stereo and the mono release.
"Don't Pass Me By" The mono version is much faster than the stereo, and therefore is shorter. The violin sounds at the end are very different.
"Why Don't We Do It In The Road" The stereo version has hand-clapping during the intro, the mono version does not.
"I Will" The stereo version has more prominent bongos.
"Birthday" The stereo version has extra vocals at the end of the second chorus.
"Sexy Sadie" The stereo version has two taps on the tambourine during the intro, the mono version only has one.
"Helter Skelter" The stereo version has a fade-out/fade-in dummy ending with Ringo's shout of "I've got blisters on my fingers", the mono version does not. This makes the stereo version almost a minute longer.
"Long, Long, Long" The stereo version is fine, but on the mono, George's double-tracked vocal is embarrassingly out of synch.
"Honey Pie" The stereo version has a shorter guitar solo than the mono version.
I am pleased to offer a very respectable copy of the U.K. Beatles White Album in glorious mono, with a very low serial number on its jacket. To think that millions of these were pressed with a serial number, and that this is merely number 2100... without a doubt this jacket rolled off the presses very early and was definitely in the U.K. shops the very first day of the album's release, 22 November 1968.
CONDITION REPORT
(Please refer to my strict 5-STAR GRADING SCALE, below.)
LABELS
Overall, the labels are in Excellent condition, with virtually no spindle wear and moderate spider trails indicating sparing to moderate play. Close inspection under unrelenting 60 watt light reveals some ever-so-slight hazing to the coating on all four sides, but you have to look at the labels at just the right angle to even notice this. These are among the earlier issue Apple labels that include the "Sold in the U.K..." statement across the top, "An E.M.I. recording" printed on the left and above the "33⅓" text. The "K T" stamp is noted on Side 4, around the spindle hole.
VINYL
The vinyl ranges from Very Good plus to borderline Excellent condition. Overall, these records have been handled with reasonable care for the last 41 years and they should please all but perhaps the most finicky collector. The records lay flat and spin perfectly straight with no sign of warping. Again, under the harshness of the 60 watt light bulb at varying angles, some very minor groove wear is noted and there are superficial marks on all four sides including the runout grooves. On medium to high end audio equipment at volume there will be some audible noise, especially in the quiet passages, but on my playback there were absolutely no skips, jumps or sticking. Side 1 looks the best, appearing to have received perhaps a few careful plays. Also, the records appear to have been carefully cleaned at some point, with some slight fingerprint ghosting remaining on the surface of Side 2. I have disclosed all flaws on these records with due diligence, so now please know that there is still plenty of sheen left on this vinyl, and many, many more enjoyable listens in the groves await its new owner!
Side 1:
Label: EX /★★★☆☆
Vinyl: EX /★★★☆☆ Matrix: XEX-709-2 Stampers: 1-G
Side 2: Label: EX /★★★☆☆ Vinyl: VG+ /★★☆☆☆+½ Matrix: XEX-710-1 Stampers: 7-AT
Side 3: Label: EX /★★★☆☆ Vinyl: VG+ /★★☆☆☆+½ Matrix: XEX-711-1 Stampers: 1-GGL
Side 4: Label: EX /★★★☆☆ Vinyl: VG+ /★★☆☆☆+½ Matrix: XEX-712-1 Stampers: 2-GG
JACKET
VG+ /★★☆☆☆+½
The original top loading Garrod & Lofthouse laminated jacket is in Very Good plus condition. Fragile by design, and because the White album is, well... white... it is very hard to find one of these U.K. jackets in tip-top shape, unless it has been handled sparingly, kept in a plastic outer sleeve, and properly shelved in a climate controlled environment all these years. This is certainly no exception. But all things considered, this is still very nice in my view. All around, the jacket's construction remains very solid. It lays perfectly flat and all four edges are sharp and smooth with surprisingly no real wear to report, with the exception of some very minor roughness along the very top, at the openings. Minor corner pushes are noted bottom left and right. Some very minor foxing is noted, inside and out, and along the spine. If I were to rate the severity of the foxing on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, this would rate about a 3. The text is centered on the spine, with some spotting noted near the base and where it says "The Beatles". The laminate still shines with no breaks or cracking (although it does feel somewhat rough to the fingertip along the spine) and there is some surface wear, from retrieval and handling. One "thumbnail" crease, on the back near the top, and a couple of handling creases, inside left, are noted. Some extremely minor ringwear and slight disc impression are noted on the back. The inside flipbacks and all the seams are still intact with no signs of separation. There are no writing and no stickers. In summary, no major defects or really disappointing flaws. This is a highly desirable piece, and I believe just about any Beatles fan or serious collector would be proud to own it. And serial number 2100 to boot (out of approximately 3 million numbered copies).
INNERS
POSTER
VG- / ★☆☆☆☆+½
The poster is in Very Good minus condition. Handling of the poster is very evident and substantial seam wear is noted. No splits or thumbtack holes.
PICTURES
EX+ /★★★☆☆+½
All four of the iconic photos are in Excellent plus condition. They are still shiny and crisp, with only some minor scuffing from in and out noted, and they lay flat with no signs of use. One of the separator sheets is still here.
SLEEVES
G / ★☆☆☆☆
The original black inner sleeves are in a mere Good condition. They are tatty around the edges and the seams are partially split in some places. (The records themselves are housed in super clean, poly-lined replacement sleeves.)
***
//***GRADING NOTE: I am very strict in my grading, as strict as true Goldmine, stricter than Record Collector and absolutely stricter than any other record seller here on ebay or just about anywhere else. (What would pass as "Near Mint" with a lot of these sellers would never make that grade here.) I make this claim loudly and proudly and I challenge any other seller out there to dethrone me, if you can. This is my credo. I visually grade closely under harsh, 60 watt desktop light and I am very unforgiving of flaws. When I play-grade, I use a Dual CS-5000 turntable, a MacIntosh MA-6200 receiver and a pair of JBL 4312 control monitors, at volume. I believe in full and truthful disclosure. So bid with the utmost of confidence, knowing I am a collector... just like you. For all of my auctions, I use the following 5-STAR GRADING SCALE :
M / ★★★★★ (MINT, or 5 stars) - an absolutely flawless gem; [4.5 stars = "MINT MINUS"]
NM / ★★★★☆ (NEAR MINT, or 4 stars) - highly desirable, nearly perfect; [3.5 stars = "EXCELLENT PLUS"]
EX / ★★★☆☆ (EXCELLENT, or 3 stars) - a respectable piece, worthy of any collection, with very few superficial flaws; [2.5 stars = "VERY GOOD PLUS"]
VG / ★★☆☆☆ (VERY GOOD, or 2 stars) - an acceptable piece with notable flaws; [1.5 stars = "VERY GOOD MINUS"]
G / ★☆☆☆☆ (GOOD, or 1 star) - upgrade needed, but certainly not trash; a playable copy.
Note that I use the ‘+’ (plus) or ‘-’ (minus) signs and half-stars (+½) to fine-tune the grading.
I also use SS (STILL FACTORY SEALED), when applicable.***//
*** //***SHIPPING & PAYMENT
I will ship only to the U.S.A., Canada, Western Europe [please view map here], Australia, New Zealand and Japan. If you are not among these countries, please DO NOT bid. NOTE: U.S. Bidders - The ebay program will only allow for a US$ 4.00 shipping charge, which, quite frankly, is absurd. Please know that I cannot and will not ship this record for US$ 4.00. U.S.A. only - Single boxing①, with insurance and delivery confirmation (both required and included), Media rate US$ 7.00. For Priority Mail , add US $5.00. No extra charge for a 2nd record. Each additional record beyond 2, add US$ 2.00. For Bullet-proof double boxing② (recommended), add US$ 5.00. Canada only - Single boxing①, with insurance and delivery confirmation (both required and included), Surface rate US$ 14.00. For Air Mail, add US $6.00. No extra charge for a 2nd record. Each additional record beyond 2, add US$ 3.00. For Bullet-proof double boxing② (recommended), add US$ 5.00. Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan - No single boxing option available. Bullet-proof double boxing② only, registered air post with insurance and signature delivery (both required and included), US$ 39.00. No extra charge for a 2nd record. Each additional record beyond 2, add US$ 6.00.
①Single boxing is a standard corrugated cardboard LP mailer with cardboard inserts (pads) for vertical reinforcement. CAUTION: This is only the most basic of protection that most U.S. record sellers use. Choosing this option significantly increases the chances of damage due to the flagrantly careless actions of the postal service, for which I will not be held responsible. Insurance is nice, but it won't fix something that is broken! ②Bullet-proof double boxing™ is guaranteed, safe delivery for your coveted LP. Materials used include a new, 200 lb. crush-tested corrugated cardboard LP mailer with cardboard inserts (pads) for vertical reinforcement, (4) new corrugated cardboard corner braces, and a new, 200 lb. crush-tested corrugated cardboard outer box. For Bullet-proof double boxing™ I use only U-Line® brand packing materials (the best), which are costly and add some extra weight to the package; but this packing method is a highly effective deterrent to postal abuse.
The above are the only shipping options I offer, so PLEASE no haggling after the sale.
Please wait for my invoice. Payment due 5 days after auction close.
Please DO NOT bid if you cannot or do not intend to pay.***//
*** //***RETURN POLICY I offer a full refund of the auction close price if the item listed fails to faithfully match the description in the ad. Customer pays shipping costs both ways. Returned items must be in exact same condition as sold, and packed the same way it was shipped to you. Any problems or concerns, please contact me within (3) days of receipt.***//
*** //***YOUR AGREEMENT By bidding in this auction, you indicate you have fully read and understand the item description and that you agree to all of the terms and policies set forth above.***//
*** //***QUESTIONS? //**Please feel free to ask questions prior to bidding, and as the auction progresses. I will respond to your inquiries as quickly as I possibly can.***//
***
| |
|
|
_gsrx_vers_307 (GS 5.3.6 (307))
On Nov-07-09 at 04:01:56 PST, seller added the following information: |
Back to Search Results
) 
Print
Report item
and your 