General Information Artist: The Beatles Title: Meet The Beatles! Label: Capitol Records Catalog number: ST 2047 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo Year: 1964 Country: USA Edition: First Pressing (Los Angeles Pressing) Genre: Rock / Pop Description Meet The Beatles! was the first album by the band released by Capitol Records in the United States, hitting the shelves on January 20, 1964. While it wasn't technically their first appearance on a US LP, this release was the catalyst for the full-scale Beatlemania that swept North America. The iconic cover photo, taken by Robert Freeman, is the same one used for the UK's With The Beatles, but it was famously given a blue tint for this American debut. The album dominated the Billboard charts, holding the #1 spot for 11 consecutive weeks. Condition Vinyl: Excellent (EX) Cover: Excellent Minus (EX-) Notes for collectors This is an authentic original 1964 Stereo first pressing featuring the iconic "Rainbow" colorband label. A vital detail for collectors is the small number "6" printed on the bottom right of the back cover, which identifies this as a Los Angeles pressing (sleeve manufactured by Imperial Paper Box Corp.). Additionally, this copy features the earliest label variation where "I Want to Hold Your Hand" is credited to BMI, while the other tracks are credited to ASCAP — a high-priority detail for those seeking the very first runs of this historic album. Matrix/Labels Side 1 Matrix: ST-1-2047-A5 Side 2 Matrix: ST-2-2047-A5 Label Details: Black "Rainbow" colorband label with the Capitol logo at the 12 o'clock position. Includes "Recorded in England" text and "STEREO" in the distinctive tall, sans-serif font used by the West Coast pressing plants.