A highly rare UK mono pressing of Please Please Me on Parlophone (PMC 1202), notable as a Decca contract pressing – one of the most elusive variants of this landmark debut album. In the early 1960s, EMI's record pressing capacity could not match the extraordinary demand The Beatles generated. Despite heavy production schedules, EMI found itself unable to keep pace with orders flooding in from retailers eager to stock copies. Rather than lose sales to supply delays, EMI made the pragmatic decision to approach rival pressing facilities, notably Decca, to handle batch orders and bridge the gap. These Decca contract pressings are distinguished by several technical hallmarks that set them apart from standard Parlophone pressings: the absence of tax codes around the centre hole on either side of the disc, the absence of a tax code at the 12 o'clock position, a characteristic light ridge running approximately 5mm outward from the centre hole (also 41mm inward from the label edge), a prominent groove typical of Decca LP presses positioned roughly 31mm from the centre and 15mm from the label edge, and critically, the complete absence of Buckingham stamper codes at the 3 o'clock position – a feature that makes authentic Decca contract pressings extraordinarily difficult to encounter. This copy represents a genuine example of that rare pressing variant. ⸻ Sleeve (VG+): The front panel presents nicely with good lamination, though some creasing is visible within the lamination itself. The back cover shows some writing and staining but retains clean flipbacks overall. A solid VG+ example. Vinyl (VG+): The disc displays some light hairlines throughout with a slightly grey sheen and minor spindle wear, but nothing excessive. Playback is strong and consistent, grading VG+ overall. Inner Sleeve: Original inner sleeve included. ⸻ Details * UK mono pressing * Parlophone PMC 1202 * Decca contract pressing – rare variant * No tax codes around centre hole * No Buckingham stamper codes present * Flipback sleeve ⸻ Matrix / Stampers * XEX-421-1N * XEX-422-1N