|
Introducing The Beatles A Comprehensive Discography and Price Guide By Perry Cox, Robert York and Mitch McGeary © 1997 All Rights Reserved |
Perhaps the most distinctive component in the history of Beatles records is the album Introducing the Beatles (Vee Jay VJLP/SR-1062). This eccentric LP is distinctive on many fronts, not the least of which is that its dozen tracks have proliferated into over two dozen subsequent albums and singles. This summer 1963 product of Chicago's Vee Jay label competed heartily in the marketplace, right along with the big boys over at Capitol. As a small, independent company with a big hit record on their hands, Vee Jay and their vendors worked around the clock to meet the enormous demand for this LP. For the last few months of '63, this was the only Beatles album available for purchase in American shops. Although a huge seller, its sales life was cut very short by the courts, when, in early 1965, the rights to all of the Beatles recordings were turned over to Capitol/EMI. Not surprisingly, most of the world's rare and valuable records, including Introducing the Beatles, have been counterfeited -numerous times and in a myriad of variations. It is probably the most counterfeited record in history, and deserving of consideration for a gold or platinum award in the category: Rock Album Most Frequently Faked. With so many different bogus copies floating around, perhaps we should begin by giving a precise description of the original album. Knowing how to spot an original is one of the best weapons against getting stuck with a pretender. The first issue covers were manufactured in both Chicago and St. Louis. All original covers have a glossy coated paper stock, both front and back. Approximately 90% of all Introducing the Beatles covers were produced at these plants. If either the front or the back cover is flat -lacking gloss -it is a counterfeit. In late 1964, when Vee Jay relocated their offices to Santa Monica, California, a small number of original covers were then made on the west coast. These have less of a gloss on the back cover; however, they do have some shine and are clearly not a flat stock. Although color shades do vary on originals, the printing of the photo and text is always very sharp and clear. Any with poor quality printing are probably counterfeits. All legitimate covers are made using varying shades of gray or tan cardboard, with the printed front and back slicks bonded on them. All original covers we have seen have a 1/4" overlap of cardboard at the top and bottom of the inside cover. This check can only be made by viewing the inside of the cover at the top and at the bottom. On most fakes, these overlaps are either much larger than 1/4", or there is no flap at all. The California plant made a small quantity of original monaural covers that have no flap at all, but they still have the glossy back cover slick as well as high quality printing. Also, these come with an authentic disc inside, yet another way to help determine originality. A few counterfeits do have covers with high quality printing, but their overall construction and/or disc quality are noticeably imperfect. While it is very helpful to have a known original on hand for comparison, few folks have that luxury. When this is not possible, use the following checklist to make a determination regarding authenticity. Some of the more common characteristics found on COUNTERFEIT COVERS:
Some of the more common characteristics found on COUNTERFEIT DISCS:
Some of the more common characteristics found on ORIGINAL COVERS:
Some of the more common characteristics found on ORIGINAL DISCS:
|
Descriptions and Prices - Original Releases
The values given are for records in VG (average) condition. Records in Near Mint condition, which are very difficult to find, would typically bring much higher prices. Both the record AND the jackets need to be checked for variations and authenticity, as we have found, like with other records, that discs and jackets get mixed up, intentional or otherwise. Also, many mono discs were incorrectly issued from the factory with stereo labels, so check the trail-off area for an "S" suffix to the master number, and/or play the record for stereo vs. mono sound. |
All 1st Versions have Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You | |||||
Recording | Cover # | Label # | Label Style | Cover Style | VG Value |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Oval logo (Released 7-22-63) |
"Ad Back" (Has the words "Printed In U.S.A". at lower left of front cover. Also see our page on the History of the Ad-Back) |
Disc - $175 Cover - $425 Both - $600 |
Stereo | VJSR 1062 | VJLPS 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Oval logo (Released 7-22-63) |
"Ad Back" | Disc - $400 Cover - $1500 Both - $2500 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Oval logo (Released late 1963/early 1964) |
Blank Back (Referred to as the "Blank Back" because the back cover is gloss white with no print or graphics at all. These were probably factory errors or just transitional copies resulting when the "Ad Back" covers were changed to column back covers.) |
Disc - $125 Cover - $250 Both - $450 |
Stereo | VJSR 1062 | VJLPS 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Oval logo (Released late 1963/early 1964) |
Blank Back (Cover has Stereophonic banner, and can be found with or without the words "Printed In U.S.A." on the lower left of front cover. Label has the word "Stereo" on top or on the side) |
Disc - $400 Cover - $550 Both - $950 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Oval logo | Two Column Back | Disc - $100 Cover - $100 Both - $250 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk w/Colorband - Brackets logo | Two Column Back | Disc - $40 Cover - $40 Both - $100 |
All 2nd Versions have Please Please Me / Ask Me Why | |||||
Recording | Cover # | Label # | Label Style | Cover Style | VG Value |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk label w/Colorband Oval logo (Released late 1963/early 1964) |
Blank Back (Referred to as the "Blank Back" because the back cover is gloss white with no print or graphics at all. These were probably factory errors or just transitional copies resulting when the "Ad Back" covers were changed to column back covers.) |
Disc - $50 Cover - $250 Both - $350 |
Stereo | VJSR 1062 | VJLPS 1062 | Blk label w/Colorband Oval or Brackets (Released 1-27-64) |
|
Brack - $200 Oval - $250 *Cover/Disc* 1. oval - $550 2. brackets - $550 2. oval - $600 3. brackets - $650 3. oval - $700 4. brackets - $575 4. oval - $625 5. brackets - $625 5. oval - $675 6. brackets - $675 |
Stereo | VJSR 1062 | VJLPS 1062 | All Blk label "Vee Jay" logo (Released 1-27-64 |
|
*Cover/Disc* 2. $650 3. $750 4. $675 5. $725 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk label w/Colorband Oval logo (Released 1/27/64) |
Two Column Back | Cover - $40 Disc - $40 Both - $100 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | Blk label w/Colorband Brackets logo |
Two Column Back | Cover - $25 Disc - $25 Both - $60 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | All Blk label "Vee Jay" logo |
Two Column Back | Cover - $25 Disc - $25 Both - $60 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | All Blk label Oval logo |
Two Column Back | Cover - $30 Disc - $70 Both - $125 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | All Blk label Brackets logo |
Two Column Back | Cover - $75 Disc - $375 Both - $475 |
Mono | LP1062 | VJLP 1062 | All Blk label ("VJ" 2-letter logo) |
Cover has "Twist And Shout" sticker Two Column Back |
Cover - $150 Disc - $475 Both - $650 |
A brief history on the "Ad Back" version of "Introducing The Beatles" |
Get Back to home page |