This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/14/2024
Offered is a rare pre-Captiol Records 1964 Beatles LP from Vee-Jay Records, Introducing The Beatles (Vee-Jay LP-1062). When Capitol first passed on the US rights to distribute The Beatles initial singles in 1963, Vee-Jay Records was awarded the rights. The release was delayed due to internal issues at Vee-Jay, and the fact that their contract was voided because they didn't make all their royalty payments. By the end of 1963, it was obvious that Capitol was about to widely promote their upcoming U.S. releases from The Beatles, and Vee-Jay decided to release their LP despite the legal troubles it would incur in an attempt to cash in. Because of all this, these early pressings are incredibly rare. The offered LP was finally released on January 10, 1964, just 10 days prior to the Capitol release of their first Beatles LP Please, Please Me.
With an impending restraining order because Vee-Jay included the songs "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" on the LP, they swapped those songs out for "Ask Me Why" and "Please Please Me" on the second version of the LP in late-january. The offered LP is this MONO "version 2" of the record with the two songs replaced. Though many bootlegs exist of these early pressings, the offered example passes all the tests, including the presence of the shadow the right of George and the construction of the albums cover. The sleeve presents with minor scuffing and wear. The vinyl, with the "VJ black and silver" label, presents in very clean VG condition.