All right, let's prioritize. Any vintage item signed by the entire Fab Four is one thing; an album cover with all four signatures is another—but their actual debut first pressing album completely signed? Now we're talking about a whole different stratosphere! Behold, this beatific Beatle vision: the band's first LP release on Parlophone Records, “Please Please Me”, signed radiantly on the reverse by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. These phenomenal ballpoint signatures and inscriptions are vintage to the album itself, circa 1963. Each autograph has been thoughtfully accomplished by each one of the Fab Four in blue/black ballpoint pen. As passionate collectors are well aware, one of the most common media for early Beatle signatures is the ever-transportable, easily compactible piece of paper, often a page from an autograph album. Larger items, such as this other, audible kind of album, are much rarer. Not only did they require special attention by the Beatles to sign, but how many people, after all, would carry a large LP around and then also have access to get all four band members to sign it? Very few indeed. Of those examples that have survived, nearly all are signed on the reverse, as is this choice specimen. In terms of its preservation, the album has expected handling wear to the edges, along with a coffee stain which is described in an original affidavit from the recipient of this prized item: ‘This is to certify that the signatures were obtained in 1963 when the Beatles were recording a program for children’s TV at the BBC studios in London. I attended as a member of the audience. My friend’s Father was a cameraman at the event and he obtained the autographs for us. When the LP was returned to me at the studio with all the signatures, there was a coffee stain on the sleeve.” Please Please Me signaled the advent of Beatlemania proper. With such McCartney/Lennon classics as "I Saw Her Standing There," "Please Please Me," "Love Me Do," "P.S. I Love You," and "Do You Want to Know a Secret," the album would reach number 1 in the UK and stay there for 30 weeks (until the release of the band's second LP, With the Beatles). Dual Letters of Authenticity from both renowned music experts Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication and Beatles autograph authority Tracks UK.
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