| S025 |
Please Please Me
b/w
Ask Me Why
Vee Jay 498, 2/20/63, OSC,
VJ 498.03, Spizer (Colorband &
Oval)
"BEATTLES"
(Two-T)
Rarest Version : " #498 "
3/21/08
The
first record released in the United States to bear
the Beatles name was VJ
498,
which was released on or about February 20, 1963.
Vee-Jay wasn't
quite sure what it had with The Beatles,
and interestingly enough,
Vee-Jay
did not even know how to
spell the group's name.
All initial issues of the
record
added an extra "T" to the name.
IT Is the most sought after
as
collectors are attracted to the novelty of the
misspelled name, and to the
record's status as the
first Beatles record issued in the U.S.
It is estimated
that less than 7,500 copies in total
of ALL the label variations of
VJ498 were pressed.
This includes Oval or Brackets Labels and the
Double
"T" or One "T" in the group's name.
(ACTUAL SCAN)

THERE WERE THREE LABEL VARIATIONS OF
THE "DOUBLE T" VEE JAY 498.
This VARIATION INCLUDES A "
#
"
SYMBOL PRECEDING THE RECORD NUMBER,
THE
WORDS "VOCAL" AND "TIME" AND THE PUBLISHING INFORMATION
ENTIRELY IN
CAPITAL LETTERS, THE SONGWRITER CREDITS IN MICROPRINT
AND THE LACK OF A
PRESSING PLANT LOGO IN THE TRAIL-OFF AREAS.
IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT
THIS VARIATION WAS
MANUFACTURED BY SOUTHERN PLASTICS.
OF THE THREE MISSPELLED
LABEL VARIATIONS,
THIS " #498
" VERSION IS THE RAREST.

(ACTUAL SCANS)
The condition of this piece is
simply STUNNING.
IF THIS RECORD WAS PLAYED THREE TIMES -
WE'D BE SURPRISED !! IT'S THAT CLEAN !
The labels grade a wonderful Near Mint, with a shiny
HIGH gloss
and clear rich fonts still intact. ONLY SIGN OF MINIMAL
AND A SOFT TOUCH OF WEAR IS ON THE B-SIDE (SEE SCAN BELOW) ,
WHERE THE HIGH RIDGE OF THE LABEL SHOWS A BIT OF
STACK WEAR. THAT IS THE LIMIT OF WEAR. colorband remains vibrant !

The vinyl on both sides are a
VIBRANT NEAR MINT,
AND OBVIOUS THAT THIS RECORD HAD BEEN WELL CARED FOR.
a
great sheen remains evident to the grooves.

Accompanied by its
own Original VeeJay 1963 Generic Sleeve
:

|
NEAR
MINT |
$5,750
SOLD
3/21/08 |
S048
 |
Please Please Me
b/w
Ask Me Why
Vee Jay 498, 2/20/63, OSC,
VJ 498.01, Spizer (Colorband &
Oval)
"BEATTLES"
(Two-T)
Very First Label Variation (Thin
Print)

(ACTUAL SCANS)

The
first record released in the United States to bear
the Beatles name was VJ
498,
which was released on or about February 20, 1963.
Vee-Jay wasn't
quite sure what it had with The Beatles,
and interestingly enough,
Vee-Jay
did not even know how to spell the group's name.
All initial issues of the
record added an extra "T" to the name.
IT Is the most sought after as
collectors are attracted to the
novelty of the misspelled name, and to the
record's status
as the first Beatles record issued in the U.S.
It is estimated
that less than 7,500 copies in total of
ALL the label variations of
VJ498 were pressed. This includes Oval
or Brackets Labels and the Double
"T" or One "T" in the group's name.
THERE WERE THREE LABEL VARIATIONS OF
THE "DOUBLE T" VEE JAY 498,
AND THIS INITIAL VARIATION WITH THE "THIN TYPE" VERSION OF THE RECORD
HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NUMBER "VJ498.01, SPIZER".
WITH THIN SILVER LETTERING ON A BLACK
LABEL WITH AN OVAL LOGO AND
OUTER RIM COLORBAND, THE INITIALS "ARP" APPEAR
IN SCRIPT IN
THE TRAIL-OFF AREAS, INDICATING THIS RECORD WAS PRESSED
BY
THE AMERICAN RECORD PRESSING CO.

(ACTUAL SCANS)

The condition of this piece is
GORGEOUS. The labels grade a
wonderful Near Mint MINUS, with a shiny
gloss and clear rich fonts
still intact, WITH THE ONLY MINOR FLAW BEING A MANUFACTURE IMPERFECTION
ON THE A-SIDE LABEL TO THE LEFT OF THE OVAL LOGO,
BUT HARDLY NOTICEABLE. THE B-SIDE LABEL HAS NO PROBLEMS.
The vinyl on both sides are a
VIBRANT NEAR MINT MINUS,
WITH VERY MINIMAL PLAY TIME. THIS RECORD HAD BEEN
WELL CARED FOR
OVER THE YEARS AND a
great sheen remains to the grooves.
Accompanied by its
own Original VeeJay 1963 Generic Sleeve
:

|
NM -
LABELS
&
NM -
VINYL
|
$4,250 |
| S906 |
Please Please Me
b/w
Ask Me Why
Vee Jay 498, 2/20/63, OSC,
VJ 498.06, Spizer (Colorband & Brackets)
"BEATLES"
(One-T)

(ACTUAL SCANS)
Shortly after
THE RELEASE OF THE "DOUBLE t" ERROR IN THE GROUP'S NAME,
Vee-Jay
realized the error (and soaring sales),
corrected the group's name on the
labels, HENCE THIS NEXT LABEL VARIATION
WITH THE CORRECTED SPELLING OF THE
"BEATLES" on their first 45 !
It is estimated
that less than 7,500 copies in total of ALL the label variations of VJ498 were
pressed.
This includes Oval or Brackets Labels and the Double "T" or One "T" in the
group's name.
This "BRACKETS" 498 backdrop variation were first printed by Ivy Hill
Lithograph Corp. in
Great Neck, New York, in January 1964.
The record was pressed by Monarch.
YET, WHAT IS A MOST VITAL STATISTIC is that a review
of invoice summary sheets for the first quarter of 1964 indicates that
ONLY
1,650 copies
of the BRACKETS Label variation were pressed and sold in early March 1964
!!!



So it should come by no surprise that all versions of this record are
quite scarce,
and these labels with the CORRECTED spelling of the group's name
are few and much farther between the
misspelled labels !!
The
condition of this rarity is truly stellar all the way, SO CLOSE TO
PERFECTION
and graded at a
sparkling MINT MINUS. IT GLISTENS AND APPEARS THIS RECORD HAS NOT BEEN
PLAYED, AND IF SO, PERHAPS ONCE ! The Labels are equally
fantastic, deep and rich - and the silver print font is clear and crisp !
Accompanied by its
own Original VeeJay 1963 Generic Sleeve
:

|
MINT
MINUS |
$4500
SOLD |
PS054
 |
Please
Please Me
b/w
From Me To You
Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, PS

A most incredible Store Stock "AS
NEW",
just about PERFECT example of this Sleeve !
Virtually impeccable from corner to corner. Sensational acquisition !

|
M - |
$1500 |
PS977
 |
Please
Please Me
b/w
From Me To You
Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, PS
A wonderful and clean
example of this picture sleeve, and graded at a Near Mint !
A very difficult picture sleeve to find clean due to the waxy material
and its White backround, this one is absolutely astonishing !!

|
NM |
$1000 |
S948
 |
Please
Please Me
b/w
From Me To You
Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, OSC
RAREST
STOCK COPY :
PURPLE LABEL
WITH SILVER
FONT (BRACKETS)
VJ 581.10 (Spizer)
(ACTUAL SCANS)

THIS PURPLE
LABEL VARIATION IS THE LEAST COMMON VERSION
OF THE VJ581 STOCK COPY SINGLE AND IS THE MOST VALUABLE.


THIS LABEL VARIATION FEATURES THE BRACKETS LOGO WITH THIN PRINT AND
WITHOUT "VJ" BEFORE THE RECORD NUMBER. IT HAS SILVER PRINT ON
A PURPLE LABEL. THIS DISC WAS PRESSED BY SOUTHERN PLASTICS WITH STAMPERS
PREVIOUSLY USED BY
AUDIO MATRIX, HENCE THEIR STAMP IN THE TRAIL-OFF AREA.

FINDING THIS
LABEL VARIATION IN THIS CONDITION IS QUITE A FIND,
FOR USUALLY THESE TURN UP IN HORRENDOUS SHAPE. NOT THIS ONE !!!
TRULY, IT IS THE BEST ONE WE'VE ACQUIRED AND SO CLEAN,
IT APPEARS IT HAS BEEN PLAYED ONCE - PERHAPS TWICE, THEN PUT AWAY !
LABELS ARE A VIBRANT AND CLEAN NEAR MINT.
VINYL IS A CLEAN & GLOSSY NEAR MINT WITH TREMENDOUS SHEEN !
A VERY SPECIAL ADDITION FOR THE SERIOUS BEATLES RECORD COLLECTION !!
|
NM |
$1250 |
|
S898 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.01A (Spizer)
|
NM - |
$150
SOLD |
S940
 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.01B (Spizer)
|
NM - |
$175 |
S903
 |
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.01B (Spizer)
|
VG+ |
$45 |
| S286 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, OSC,
VJ 581.01C (Spizer)
|
G+ |
$25
SOLD |
S289
 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, OSC,
VJ 581.02A (Spizer)
|
G |
$20 |
| S651 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.02B (Spizer)
UNPLAYED - STORE STOCK !! STELLAR !
|
M |
$250
SOLD |
S696
 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.02C (Spizer)
|
NM |
$125 |
S697
 |
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.02C (Spizer) |
NM |
$125 |
S004
 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.03 (Spizer)
|
VG++ |
$75 |
S911
 |
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.03 (Spizer) |
VG++ |
$75 |
S574
 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.04 (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$85 |
| S575 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.05 (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$75
SOLD |
| S576 |

Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.06 (Spizer)
|
NM |
$75
SOLD |
S367
 |
Please
Please Me
b/w
From Me To You,
Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
(ACTUAL
SCAN)
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64, OSC,
VJ 581.08B (Spizer)
WHITE LABEL with
Black Print
VERY RARE !!
|
VG++ |
$400 |
S052
 |

(ACTUAL LABEL)
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.09A (Spizer)
Manufactured by
Southern Plastics, this all Black Label with the Brackets Logo
is in fine VG++ condition, with a great sheen to the vinyl and grooves.
Only
waer is evident in the run-out grooves on both sides. A beautiful Rare
label variation !
|
VG++ |
$250 |
S923
 |

(ACTUAL LABEL)
Please
Please Me / From Me To You, Vee Jay 581, 1/30/64,
OSC,
VJ 581.09B (Spizer)
This particular
label variation (pressed by Silver Plastics in Southhampton,PA) are
often found
with a small drill hole through the label. The hole was drilled by the
pressing plant to
prevent the record from being returned. This copy does NOT have the
drill hole and
is in beautiful Near Mint condition. The Labels are stunning !!
|
NM |
$350 |
|
     
|
|
|
PS996
 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret
b/w
Thank You Girl
VJ 587, 3/23/64,
PS, TC
DIE-CUT
INSERT TAB version.
This is the RARER West Coast variation.
|
NM |
$450 |
PS117
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret
b/w
Thank You Girl
VJ 587, 3/23/64,
PS, TC
DIE-CUT
INSERT TAB version.
This is the RARER West Coast variation.
|
NM
- |
$400 |
PS083
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret
b/w
Thank You Girl
VJ 587, 3/23/64, PS, SC
Straight Cut East Coast version - Absolutely
STELLAR !!
STORE STOCK - "AS NEW" CONDITION !
Best example of this title we have ever seen !!! PERFECT !!
|
M |
$500 |
PS995
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret
b/w
Thank You Girl
VJ 587, 3/23/64, PS, SC
Straight Cut East Coast version - Just beautiful !!
No ringwear. Sharp straight edges.
|
NM |
$400 |
PS984
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret
b/w
Thank You Girl
VJ 587, 3/23/64, PS, SC
Straight Cut East Coast version - A real beauty !!
No ringwear. Sharp straight edges. Just a touch of record impression at
bottom.
|
NM
- |
$325 |
S080
 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.01 (Spizer)
Only VJ587
Colorband Label Variation that has the OVAL logo.
Also, the thin compressed type font (all Upper Case)
allows the A side's long song title to appear on one line.
This one is a true UNPLAYED Near Mint BEAUTY !!
|
NM
Unplayed |
$450 |
S118

|

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.02B (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$225 |
| S999 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.02C (Spizer)
|
M
Unplayed |
$275
SOLD |
| S024 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.03 (Spizer)
|
NM |
$175
SOLD |
S025
 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.04 (Spizer)
|
VG++ |
$125 |
S114
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.04 (Spizer) |
VG++ |
$125 |
S293
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.04 (Spizer) |
VG |
$30 |
S294
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.04 (Spizer) |
VG |
$30 |
| S577 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.05 (Spizer)
|
NM |
$100
SOLD |
S699
 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.06 (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$150 |
S700
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.06 (Spizer) |
NM
- |
$150 |
S295
 |
Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.06 (Spizer),
Vinyl is strong VG+. B-Side Label has tears making overall
grading VG-. |
VG
- |
$30 |
S602
 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.07 (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$135 |
| S601 |

Do You
Want To Know A Secret / Thank You Girl, VJ 587, 3/23/64, OSC
VJ 587.09 (Spizer)
|
NM |
$200
SOLD |
|
     
|
|
|
EP979
 |
Souvenir
Of Their Visit To America
VJ EP-1-903, 3/23/64, PS
& OSC,
Cardcover Picture Sleeve & Record
VJEP 903.05B (Spizer)
(Colorband & BRACKETS Logo
variation)
and larger "ASK ME WHY"
BEAUTIFUL NEAR MINT COVER &
PHENOMENAL NEAR MINT UNPLAYED
RARER BRACKETS LOGO WITH
LARGER THIN "ASK ME
WHY" LABEL :

(ACTUAL LABEL)
THIS WAS THE ONLY VEE-JAY EP SET PRODUCED !!
|
NM
/ NM
Unplayed |
$850 |
EP006
 |
Souvenir
Of Their Visit To America
VJ EP-1-903, 3/23/64, PS
& OSC,
Cardcover Picture Sleeve & Record
VJEP 903.04 (Spizer)
(ALL BLACK LABEL with OVAL
LOGO)
HERE IS VEE-JAY'S
ONLY RELEASED EXTENDED PLAY (EP)
WITH THE MEGA-RARE, AND MUCH SCARCER
'ALL BLACK LABEL WITH THE
"OVAL LOGO" LABEL !!
This
Label variation is 100 to 1 rarer
than the Colorband & oval logo label versions :

(ACTUAL SCAN)
THIS VERSION
OF THE RECORD WAS OFTEN ISSUED IN A CENTER-CUT VEE-JAY COMPANY RECORD
SLEEVE, RATHER THAN THE SPECIAL CARDBOARD PICTURE SLEEVE -
BUT IN THIS CASE, THE RECORD IS INDEED ACCOMPANIED BY THE ORIGINAL
PICTURE SLEEVE, IN NEAR MINT CONDITION !!
Condition
of the record is a BEAUTIFUL NEAR MINT MINUS on the vinyl
wITH NEAR MINT labels !
|
NM
/ NM - |
$825 |
EP674
 |
Souvenir
Of Their Visit To America
VJ EP-1-903, 3/23/64, PS
& OSC,
Cardcover Picture Sleeve & Record
VJEP 903.05A (Spizer)
(Colorband & BRACKETS Logo
variation) and larger "ASK ME WHY" .
BEAUTIFUL NEAR MINT COVER &
STRONG NEAR MINT MINUS
RARER BRACKETS LOGO WITH
LARGER THICK "ASK ME
WHY" LABEL : 
(ACTUAL SCAN)
THIS WAS THE ONLY VEE-JAY EP SET PRODUCED !!
|
NM
/ NM - |
$750 |
EP970
 |

Souvenir
Of Their Visit To America
VJ EP-1-903, 3/23/64, PS
& OSC,
Cardcover Picture Sleeve & Record
VJEP 903.01(Spizer), FIRST LABEL VARIATION
(Colorband & Oval label
variation)

(ACTUAL SCAN)
STUNNING COVER & GORGEOUS
UN-PLAYED
VINYL !
|
NM /
M - |
$600 |
EP972
 |

Souvenir
Of Their Visit To America
VJ EP-1-903, 3/23/64, PS
& OSC,
Cardcover Picture Sleeve & Record
VJEP 903.01(Spizer), FIRST LABEL VARIATION
(Colorband & Oval label
variation)

(ACTUAL SCAN)
STUNNING COVER & GORGEOUS
UN-PLAYED
VINYL !
|
NM /
M - |
$600 |
|
     
|
|
|
S603

|
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.01 (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$200 |
S709
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC

TOL 9001.03A
(Spizer)
Please Note :
On the actual record label, the Box Logo is not cut off by spindle hole.
The image used above is from Mr. Spizer's book.
|
VG
++ |
$100 |
S689
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
This styrene disc was Pressed by Columbia Records.
TOL 9001.04
(Spizer)
|
NM |
$275 |
S744
 |
Twist and
Shout b/w There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.04
(Spizer) - SEE LABEL SCAN ABOVE FOR REFERENCE |
NM |
$275 |
S861
 |
Twist and
Shout b/w There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.04
(Spizer) - SEE LABEL SCAN ABOVE FOR REFERENCE |
NM |
$275 |
| S590 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.05B
(Spizer)
|
VG+ |
$100
SOLD |
| S578 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.05C
(Spizer)
|
NM |
$250
SOLD |
|
S897 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC

TOL 9001.05D
(Spizer)
|
M -
Unplayed |
$275
SOLD |
S589
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.06
(Spizer)
|
NM |
$150 |
S750
 |
Twist and
Shout b/w There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.06
(Spizer) - SEE LABEL SCAN ABOVE FOR REFERENCE
|
NM |
$150 |
S641
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.08
(Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$175 |
S890
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.10
(Spizer)
|
M -
Unplayed |
$250
|
S827
 |
Twist and
Shout
b/w
There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC

ONE OF THE
RAREST LABEL VARIATIONS OF THIS SINGLE !
TOL 9001.11
(Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$225 |
S008
 |
Twist and
Shout b/w There's A Place
Tollie 9001, 3/2/64, OSC
TOL 9001.11
(Spizer) - SEE LABEL SCAN ABOVE FOR REFERENCE
|
NM
- |
$225 |
|
     
|
|
|
PS379
 |
Love
Me Do
b/w
P.S. I Love You
Tollie 9008, 4/27/64,
PS
Lovely,
solid Sleeve all around, with the slightest touch of wear.
For a tough Sleeve to find perfect due to the paper material used, this
example is a beauty !!
|
VG
++ |
$275 |
PS380
 |
Love
Me Do
b/w
P.S. I Love You
Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, PS
|
VG
+ |
$175 |
S137
 |

Love
Me Do / P.S. I Love You, Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, OSC
TOL 9008.01 (Spizer)
STUNNING
EXAMPLE ON VINYL & LABELS !!
|
NM |
$250 |
S708
 |
Love
Me Do / P.S. I Love You, Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, OSC
TOL 9008.01 (Spizer)
|
VG
++ |
$150 |
S747
 |

Love
Me Do / P.S. I Love You, Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, OSC
TOL 9008.02A (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$135 |
| S741 |

Love
Me Do / P.S. I Love You, Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, OSC
TOL 9008.02B (Spizer)
|
NM
- |
$100
SOLD |
S762
 |

Love
Me Do / P.S. I Love You, Tollie 9008, 4/27/64, OSC
TOL 9008.04 (Spizer) |