Identifying First Press Beatles Vinyl Records: A Guide
Organize ya old Beatles wax and learn how ta tell if they're first or early presses with this handy guide. Here's the lowdown on some of their most iconic tracks:
1. 'Abbey Road', 1969
Lookout for the ol' green Apple logo on the sleeve's rear synched up with the resta da text. If it's not line d flex, it might be an early copy! Catch it missin' "Her Majesty" on da back sleeve? That's a dead giveaway for an early pressin'!
2. 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', 1967
Daaamn, a red 'n' white psychedelic innersleeve, a black 'n' yellow label with "The Gramophone Co." in radial text on the label, and a sleeve printer credit shoutin' out "Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patents pending"? You got yourself a first press, partner!
3. 'Revolver', 1966
Aw, y'all know it: yellow 'n' black printed Parlophone labels, and rim text from the edge begin with "The Gramophone Co...". Early pressings also might have a tax code stagin' out "KT".
4. 'Beatles For Sale', 1964
The yellow 'n' black label text and the inclusion of "The Parlophone Co. LTD..." along da label's edge? That's a winner! Stamper numbers "-1" stamped on each side of da record's dead wax space? You got a plain-as-day git!
5. 'Rubber Soul', 1965
A few things happen here, ya know? Brah, early pressings featuring the stamper numbers "-1" in the dead wax space like 'Beatles For Sale' and similar to it. Early pressings came in two major innersleeve variations: Sans-serif text wrapped around the clockwise side and the 'Times New Roman' font often found on slightly later pressings, but still early.
6. 'With The Beatles', 1963
First pressings o' "With the Beatles" are tougher to squint down, mate. Be on the lookout for early pressings sportin' matrix details "-1 -1," black 'n' yellow labels, and a "KT" tax code stamp next to da spindle hole.
7. 'Please Please Me', 1963
Now, the first pressings o' The Beatles' debut album, "Please Please Me"? They're ruby and gold insteada da usual yellow 'n' black labels. The second pressings closed out da black 'n' gold shtick and switched to the more familiar yellow 'n' black style.
8. 'Help!', 1965
Cheerio, mate! It's simple: matrix details with "-2" at the end? 'Member that tip and black 'n' yellow Parlophone labels with "The Gramophone Company..." rim text? Early pressin' time!
Matrix codes, or the fine print buried in da 'dead wax,' can help ya tell if ya got 'em early pressings. They contain factory details, mastering info, and unique identifying features that might separate those original pressings from the reissues. Search databases like Discogs to cross-reference codes and distinguish those first pressings!
Delve into the world of fashion and beauty as you channel the iconic styles of the Beatles during their album eras. Update your album collection's 'lifestyle' with these first pressings, adorned with psychedelic innersleeves, unique sleeves prints, and distinctive labels - a feast for the eyes in the realm of 'entertainment'. Don't forget to lose yourself in the legacy-defining music of the Beatles as you rock out to track classics such as 'Abbey Road', 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', and more, augmenting your musical journey with these esteemed vinyl pieces.
