Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night (UK) – 1964 1st Pressing Mono – Slender Print – E.J. Day – EX - LP - 1st Pressing - 1964

A beautiful original 1964 UK first pressing of A Hard Day's Night, presented in an unusually clean Ernest J. Day sleeve and featuring the desirable slender-print Parlophone label variation.

Released in the UK on 10 July 1964, the original mono issue was pressed with the XEX 481-3N / XEX 482-3N matrices found on this copy. The black-and-yellow Parlophone labels retain all of the important characteristics of the original issue: "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." around the perimeter, "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964" to the left of the centre hole and the contemporary "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS" statement across the label.

This example has the particularly interesting slender-print label layout. Compared with the more familiar heavier or "chubby" typography, the track information is arranged in a noticeably narrower and more compact style. On this variation the track listing was rearranged to use the available label space more efficiently, especially noticeable on Side 2. The labels also retain the embossed K/T purchase-tax code, another characteristic feature of original UK production from this period.

The record is housed in its original Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd. laminated flipback sleeve. Both Ernest J. Day and Garrod & Lofthouse manufactured covers for the original release, and the E.J. Day sleeve paired with this slender-print label variation is a documented first-press configuration. The iconic Robert Freeman portrait remains beautifully strong and the laminate retains an excellent sheen. There is only slight age-related yellowing towards the upper rear, with very little of the heavier wear so often encountered on this title. The spine remains strong and fully readable, while the rear flipbacks are clean and well preserved. Complete with its original period Use Emitex inner sleeve.

⸻
Sleeve (EX):
A remarkably tidy original Ernest J. Day laminated sleeve with the iconic Robert Freeman portrait remaining beautifully strong. The laminate retains an excellent sheen with only slight age-related yellowing towards the upper rear and minimal heavier wear. The spine is strong and fully readable, while the rear flipbacks are clean and well preserved → EX

Inner Sleeve:
Original period Use Emitex cleaning material inner sleeve included.

Labels:
Black-and-yellow Parlophone labels with strong silver printing and clean overall presentation. Retains all original characteristics including "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." around the perimeter, "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964" text, "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS" statement, and embossed K/T purchase-tax code.

Vinyl (EX):
A very attractive example retaining a beautiful deep gloss. Only light evidence of previous play and minor playwear, with nothing heavy or distracting. For an original 1964 mono Beatles record, the surfaces remain exceptionally presentable → EX

⸻
Details
* UK 1st pressing, 1964
* Parlophone PMC 1230
* Mono
* Black-and-yellow Parlophone labels
* Slender-print label variation
* "Recording First Published 1964" text
* "Sold in U.K." resale price statement
* Embossed K/T purchase-tax code
* Ernest J. Day laminated flipback sleeve
* Original Emitex inner sleeve included

⸻
Matrix / Stampers
* Side 1: XEX 481-3N / 3 AMO
* Side 2: XEX 482-3N / 1 RAT