Please Please Me

Side 1

 

Complete Mono Run (1963-2024)

Side 2

 

Complete Stereo Run HERE

1st Press - type 1a(ia).  

Technically, the very first Gold & Black label was this one, and it was pressed on a standard 50's "Ringed" pressing machine that had default stampers set at 1H/1H. 

These had the very first label and typeset that was shared with type 1b & 1c below. Very rare to see this particular pressing with a deep groove to both sides.

As can be seen (& felt), there is a definite ring / ridge which is consistent all the way round & on both sides - (this differs from the 3/4 ring you occasionally see on any one side (1 or 2) on type 1c & type 2b below).

Actually there were two runs of this early label, one of which had the earliest Beatle Tax Code known -  "WOZT" in the centre near the spindle hole shown here on side 1.

Ink problem and label slip Run HERE

1st Press - type 1a(ib).  This label could have actually been the very first label on this first & only pressing run, though will leave it here as a second entry. This is essentially the same as above label except there is a problem with the 0 on PMC 1202 on side 2.

As this has now been seen on at least two copies, signifies this was on the same run rather than a one off printing error. I have 5 copies with varying ink problems on the 0 combined with the paper label on side 2 slipping HERE

As this first run progressed, the side 2 label started slipping (down?) and became uncentred. This makes sense if the very first ever pressing had the printing error, and as the print ran, the error became less pronounced as the label slipped more and more!   Interesting to note, the WOTZ tax code was never pressed on the newer (60,s) G.R.A.M.O.P.H.L.T.D coded LP machines, though it has been seen on a few runs of Love Me Do on the red label 45 pressed on a SP (Single Play) machine in 1962.

Ink problem and label slip Run HERE

1st Press - type 1a(ii).

This is the other 1H/1H edition except with the ZT tax code also stamped on side 1. Same label pressed on the same or adjacent  50's machine because it's doubtful they changed the tax code half way through.. or maybe they did when they realised they hadn't updated ideally this mistake as the WOTZ and ZT tax codes were left over from 60/1/2. In anyways, both were wrong it should have actually been the MT tax code by that stage!

All first pressing type 1 labels had or used exactly the same label layout until the 1st press type 2 pressing types below.

I have seen these been called and sold as contract pressings, though I think that is a misnomer...Some say, these older pressing machines ended up in India's EMI pressing plant..

Just to add to the confusion, there was also a run of a 1H/1H pressing on the standard "without the groove" 1T1b labels below!

1st Press - type 1b(i).

Or to many as the very first Pressing with the "Dick James" "DJ" Labels.

This is the same label layout as above except it was pressed on one of EMI's newer machines which remained in service for the rest of the 60's. 

Starting with Mother Stampers 1G/1G, these are generally thought to be the very first pressed. 

With these all these 1st pressings, there are at least 2 label textures from matt to glossy and 7 pressings with three text label changes per se!.

Gold 1st pressings had "Dick James  Mus.Co." printed after all 8 of the songs the Beatles had written, and along with the other 6 songs that were written by other artists, make up the 14 tracks on this LP.

 

1st Press - type 1b(ii).

This is the same as above but had a problem with the 0 (zero) in PMC 1202 on side 2 again for at least 2 different small pressing runs with the stamper 1GR.

 

Stampers for this edition  are 1A / 1GR with the ZMT tax code on side 1,  and I have another with a ZMT tax code on side 2 with stampers 1T / 1GR.

Eyes out for a run with stampers 1M / 1GR or 1P / 1GR even..

1st Press - type 1c(i).

This is a new type of pressing to come to light and was pressed on an even older machine. We know this as there are previous gold Mono labels pressed with this punched out centre ring from 1958-61 by such artists as Adam Faith and other EMI light music releases of the time.

 

Still using the original first gold text layout, these have an Inner Ring which is punched in, & opposite to the side 2 Inner ring which is punched out!. They also have an extra 3/4 or full ring Outer light indent on side 1 only (as can be seen here).

Stampers are 1H / 1/2 GP for this run.

Eyes out for another without the "Outer" ring..

PLEASE PLEASE ME STEREO RUN

1st Press - type 1c(ii).

 

And found two after years of looking..

1GA / 1/2 GP stampers for the first.

1GG / 1P for the second for this minute run.

Could be argued that the second here was pressed as a single small run on the same machine that produced the 1GG / 1P "stretched" edition 1T2b(ii) below without the outside groove (just with inner ring).

1st Press - type 1d.

 

As now using a newly made second "Mother" number being "2" (at the 9 O'clock mark) on side one, 2GO /1H for this run, I would suspect it was probably rapidly pressed on another or second machine to keep up with orders coming in and most probably pressed in late March or maybe April 1963 as were all the above 1st press labels.

I have seen this one a couple of times and it has been pointed out by the sellers as a ring in the centre which is true looking at the picture to the right.

Will have to keep my eye out for more of these to know their place in things..

 

1st Press - type 2a.

For some reason during this very small run, Side 2 was changed slightly. This is easy to spot as the first line has been stretched, so "1.Love Me Do" starts BEFORE "Beechwood" below it.

Strange that no one has noticed this before! :)

 

There are copies of this with and without the outer indent (on either side 1 or side 2), and which is sometimes seen across all these early golds (except the 1H/1H series which is entirely different!).

An example of the outer indent is shown here on the side 1 picture.

Probably not noticed or considered by collectors at large.

Very early Mother and Stamper numbers for this run  1H /1GD

1st Press - type 2b(i).

Again with the extended first line on Side 2 but this version is the version with the centre Inner rings AND the extra Outer ring on side 1.

 

Like the type 1T1c(i) and the 1T1c(ii) labels above, this has the Inner Ring in the centre. There were 2 runs of type 2a , one with the extra "Ring" outer indent / groove on side 1 shown here..

Stampers are 1H / 1/2 GP ,

this is also the exact same as the 1T1c(i) above!

 

1st Press - type 2b(ii).

 

This one is the "plain" one with just the Inner rings (of which I have only seen this one copy and is shown here). With no other examples to show at this stage, eyes are out for another copy.. 

And the Matrix number for this edition being 1GG / 1P for this non-outer grooved plain one.

 

 

1st Press - type 3a.

The last of the Dick James Gold leaf layout.

On Side 1, the two "Dick James" on the 2nd & 3rd line have been lined up.

On Side 2, the 3 lines (DO YOU, Lennon and HONEY) have moved again.

 

This Side 2 label was from a 2nd Press (Northern) Side 1 crossover, so is confirmed as the last showing of the "Dick James" label.

It is very common to see cross over copies with and without the 3/4 or sometimes very light full outer-dented ring which is not to be confused with the ultra rare "1H/1H Ridged type" early pressings up top!.

 

1st Press - type 3b.

A very weird and unusual one this as the ink and paper used takes on a ghost like gleen to it at most angles and the centre ring on side 2 is unlike any other variation I have come across..

2 RD / 1/2 GM are the Mother and Stampers used for my only copy.

Never seen another like it and have been looking for quite a while..

2nd Press - type 1.

"Northern Songs" Gold Parlophone Label.

The publishing Credits for "I Saw Her Standing There, Misery, Do You Want to know a Secret, & There's a Place" are now credited to "Northern Songs", the brand new company formed to deal with the Lennon-McCartney writing partnership. The other 4 Lennon & McCartney Songs (the first 2 Singles) remained with Dick James Mus Co.

These "Northern Songs" gold records probably number around a couple of thousand before it almost immediately changed to the Yellow & Black 3rd Press below.

There are two type set variations with this edition...

1GM / 1/2 GP,  1GP / 1/2 GH,   and 2 GH / 1M are at least a few of the Mother & Stamper codes used on this type 1 release, possibly using two different pressing machines at the same time.

2nd Press - type 2.

Again with the "Northern Songs" credits and at first glance is the same label as the type 1 above, which it is on side 1..

 

The difference here is so slight it has pretty much gone unnoticed and may well passed unnoticed but the text spacing on the 10th line of the side 2 label here has been stretched just a bit - LTD below (McCart !

 

2 GL / 2/1 GO was the Matrix used for my run though again there are many others.

3rd Press, or 1st Yellow & Black Parlophone Label. (a&b)

These elusive labels are even rarer than the "Northern Songs" Golds, and for many years went unnoticed till very recently. The Stereo is a lot scarcer than the mono here, but these are still very thin on the ground and you'll see 20 Gold Mono's before 1 of these pop up.

This has the additional very small 33 1/3 which was left over from the gold labels (near the centre hole). Contrary to belief, this was not a mistake and was actually designed this way. We know this as there were two versions of this label being pressed on two machines at the same time. Just like the 4th press below, there are minute differences between the 2 labels, but the line up between Mecolico and Beechwood is the easy giveaway.

4th Press. (a&b)

This was considered the 3rd press for many years (and still is by many collectors) until the discovery of the above label, and was only around for a brief moment before it changed again. This is identical to the 3rd label above except now there is no little 33 1/3.

Again, there were 2 versions of this (as was pressed on 2 machines at the same time), with the lining up of the "Mecolico" on the 6th & "Beechwood" being the give away on side 1. The second machine or pressing, started the "Beechwood Ltd." line just slightly before the "Mecolico" above it. Very small difference, BUT crucial in understanding what was pressed where and when! This was exact across the 3rd,4th & 5th labels and I have classed it as (a&b).

5th Press - type 1a. (a&b)

Again, because of the inclusion of the 3rd label, this is was usually known as the 4th Label. There are in fact 2 major types, this was the first, with the "Recording First Pub.1963" in line with the (XEX.421) and with the 1 (& 2).

These Labels were the norm for most of 1963 and as such are the most common along with type 2 below.

Two slight types to collect of these too!.

5th Press - type 1b.

Very rare mispress which is easy to miss on first view as the mistake is on side two.

Side 1 seems to be the same standard type 1 press as the above label..

But if you look closely at the 6th line on side 2, it is actually the 8th line which has in turn knocked the proper 6th line to the 7th!

With only a few or less than 5 copies known to exist at this stage, this has to be one of the rarest pressings to collect on this mono run and has only just come to light after 50 years!

5th Press - type 2a.

Same label except the (XEX.421) and the "Rec.First Pub. 1963" have been centred to the 1 & 2 on both sides of the label.

I have managed to find 6 different label variations for this 5th press type 2 variation.              As the label didn't officially change until the " Sold in the UK" line appeared, it was pressed quite a few times, starting with the stampers at around GDD /GOP (my earliest).

 

5th Press - type 2b.

A recent one to come to light.

This ran alongside type 2a above and was pressed on a spare machine that produced stampers 1,7 GAO / 4,5 GRA. Still very early side 2 stampers for this edition.

 

Just a very small change in the line up of the first 3 lines gives this pressing away as another set of stampers and a very rare set at that!

5th Press - type 2c(i).

This is almost identical to the above label except the 3rd line on side 1 has been stretched.

Even though there are tons of these still out there, I have seen these go for £250 in near mint Condition.

These were pressed alongside & about halfway through the run of the type 2a label above, at the height of sales and therefore are quite common also.

Not sure if there are any or many differences on side 2, it's just finding the time sometimes..

5th Press - type 2c(ii).

Another unbelievable label and which had been previously seen on a few other artists from Columbia and Parlophone, usually exported to UK colonies that didn't have a particular copyright label in place at the time.

1 over 11 RDM / 0 RRG are the Mother and Stamper numbers for this unheard of edition.

I have seen two of these though only own this one which came all the way from Japan at great cost..

On the other copy another collector has, he removed or tore the silver foil off one side (his had a silver foil label on both sides) and it does indeed have the Columbia Label underneath it. I have Photos!!!

5th Press - type 2d.

The next printed batch of these standard 63/64 labels now saw the 2nd line on side 1 being set slightly longer, and the 5th line on side 2 being slightly shorter!

 

Even though the differences here are so slight, they were deliberate and do keep in line with the mother stamper pressing numbers.

5th Press - type 2e.

It appears that this label came out only for one run, as try as I may, I have only ever managed to find this one copy for myself, and only because a fellow collector first pointed this edition out to me nearly 3 years ago!

 

 

Stampers are  RRH / RRO so sort of fit in here between type 2d and type 2f.

5th Press - type 2f.

Released just before the change to the 6th press label below, and again nearly identical to the type 2a above, it is actually or seems to be a re-use of the 5th press type 1, but with the Rec. First Pub centred.

On side 1, you can see MECOLICO and BEECHWOOD lined up, and the 3rd line (Northern Songs etc) shortened again.

On side 2, the 5th line (BIEM ) has been shrunken slightly still. These very last copies in this series occasionally sport the ultra rare Mid-size mono last E J Day cover!                                           This label also saw the change of the side 2 matrix XEX422-1N to the newly made XEX422-2N lacquer, which suggests it was worn or broken accidently mid (late) run rather than planned for the 6th press?. My copy's no's are 1,5 ROT / 1G. Here is the XEX422-2N 1G with stamper shown to the right.

5th Press - type 2g.

Same side 1..

The difference here is side 2.

Stampers are 1/12 RRA / 14 RAR which are very late in the day for this label but may have been pressed along side the above label but on another pressing machine.

This pressed edition has an incorrectly placed 2 being slightly too close to the centre hole and was the only pressing to have this mistake.

5th Press - type 2h.

 

Seems that there is always one more out there and this was found by an eagle-eyed collector, who I went on to persuade to part with it..

This again has the difference in the first 3 lines of side 1, and is a little like type 2d above. The 3rd line being just a tad shorter on this label meaning it is an entirely different label

Side 2 seems to be the same in line with the rest of the 5th presses.

With very late stamper codes (will revisit this soon), this sits last in this current line up of Mono 5th presses.

5th Press - type 3a.

This is the same label as type 2a above but this one is on a DECCA pressing label which are quite rare. This has the ridge which can be quite clearly seen and felt. Occasionally throughout the 60's (&70's), EMI couldn't cope with the orders coming in, so paid Decca (and later Pye) to press a no.of vinyl to keep up with the demand. 

These usually came in Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd printed sleeves and were typically pressed and released somewhere in time between type 2a & 2b above.

There were no stereo Decca presses made.

Mothers at the 9 o'clock mark for this are 1/11 / 14 , there were no "stamper" numbers at the 3 o'clock mark on these Decca pressings.

Please Please Me Complete Stereo Run HERE

5th Press - type 3b.

Another Decca press but the difference here is in the 4th line on side 1 and the 5th line on side 2 are slightly shorter though with same matrix no's. etc for both Decca labels.

Mothers for this are again 1/11 / 14

There are other differences but this one seems to be the most common of the two contract pressings.

Eyes out for a 3rd contract press perhaps?

5th Press - type 3c.

 

AND.. another Decca press..

The difference here though is the 1st line on side 1 which has been stretched.., and it also has a different mother on side 1 being 10 / 14

This is the same label as type 2e above though again on a DECCA pressing label and as such are very hard to find.

Eyes out for a 4th contract press perhaps..?

6th Press - type 1. (a&b)

Everything changed with this new label. There's the inclusion of the "Sold in the U.K. subject to resale etc" line, the "Rec First Pub" has now turned into (P)1963, and the writing around the label now says "The Gramophone" and not "The Parlophone".                                                               The font also changed which allowed neater spacing of the song titles. The label texture changed also.

This label ran or was pressed on 2 different machines and each is just slightly different..

The 1st press ran 1,0 RPL / 6 A  and the second had the stampers 1,5 ROT / 1 G  which was the first showing of the XEX.422-2N matrix on this label from the 2nd Machine.

The -2N 1G stamper was first seen on the 5th type 5f above, that 1G stamper from machine 1, has now reached 6A incidentally.

6th Press - type 2. (a&b)

This is identical to the above label except there is an additional DOT (or period mark) on the "Sold in the .U.K. subject to resale etc" statement on side 1. This was the first showing and was a regular occurrence over the next 4 years (65-69) which suggests at least 2 or more underlying pressing plates for that part of the label make up or this plate was on machine 2.             

This was definitely pressed at the same time as type 1, as these had stamper codes on the dead wax that put it straight after.

There are mostly 2 types (a&b) both with different Mother Stampers No's. Easiest way to spot difference is to check on side two, the second line starting with the "2. P.S. I Love You" is in slightly different places, one is more under the 1. and the other starts a little later. This is true for all labels with the (a&b) notation.

6th Press - type 3.

Again because of the stamper codes, this label was released after type 2. This is actually the same everything on label type 1(&2) except they changed the font to a Times font which messed with their spacing of the song titles.

Notice on the first line on side 1, that Northern Songs, just becomes Northern..

Though these are quite common, I have yet to see a Dotted version of this. This ran on 3 machines signified by the 1,0 & 1,2 & 1,5 stamper at the 9 o'clock position on the first side. I have all 3 but can't see any difference between the three within the track listing on the labels. 

7th Press.

This one is the missing link in that although the font has now changed back to the standard Ariel font, the spacing has remained the same.. Notice the Northern on the first line again?

The (XEX.421) & (P)1963 have now also been aligned and would stay aligned from now on.       

The Track listing on side 2 looks a mess which is probably why they changed this label back almost immediately. Although it did stay with the stereo equivalent for a long while.  In fact, this is the exact same track typeset as the Stereo 7th type 5 press, so probably borrowed from there and maybe pressed at the same time!  Two machines running on this - 1,12  and a pressing run of 1,5. Still looking for a 1,0 to make the triple, thou labels look the same.

8th Press - type 1.

Back to the tried and tested 6th label track listing typeset to start this run, though with an extended second line on side 1 which has been spaced neatly across. This rare label was first seen with a rim on both sides, which has only been seen a few times on other Beatle MONO albums, noticeably first on a 2nd press "Rubber Soul" & first press "Revolver", which should ideally place this label at around Aug 66.

Side 2 has reverted back to the 6th press design also, and will stay this way unchanged till the end of the 60's.

Since all that have ever turned up (type 1's) in the last 10 years to my knowledge have numbered approx 3, and have the same mother stamper numbers, this would suggest these are very very thin on the ground pressed for one run and on the spare machine (No.2) that had the Dot!.

8th Press - type 2. (a&b)

Exactly the same as the label above with the extended second line on side 1, but without the rims. This was pressed just immediately after the above press as the side 1 stamper was 1 digit more.

Another hard one to catch as only came out for what looks like a couple of single runs or at least until I find a 1,5 RHH / 6 GR press..

Both this and the rimmed version above have the extra Dot on the sold in the UK statement on side 1, so please keep a lookout for Non Dotted Uk Statement copies!.

Again two versions of this (side 2, difference between the 1 & 2 for comparison).

8th Press - type 3

Pretty much identical to the 2 labels above but with a new type of textured paper label. With the Dot still present, this would seem to prove the song text plate was on the same "sold in the UK" plate, as type 4 below is without the dot, with the shorter 2nd line on side 1 and had this new textured paper label also.

 

Not seen too often, it could have actually been a mistake..

Note, there is a full stop missing on side 2 between "5" & "A Taste of Honey" on the 8th presses until type 4.

8th Press - type 4

Keeping with the new textured label, this was possibly pressed on machine 1 simultaneously with the type 3 label above on machine 2.

This has no Dot, and the second line on side 1 has been reduced or shortened now.

This had the new standard layout on both sides that would stay till the end of the sixties.

This also had the Dot on side 2, after the number 5.

8th Press - type 5. (a&b)

Exactly the same as the above label, except printed on the usual stock smoother paper again.

No "Sold in the U.K" Dot on this one.

There are again 2x types 5's both with different Mother Stampers No's.    On side two, the second line starting with the "2. P.S. I Love You" is yet again in slightly different places..

In general, all later MONO pressings like these are sought after, as Stereo was the order of the day and because of this, any Mono pressing runs in the mid to late 60's were very small.

Please Please Me Complete Stereo Run HERE

8th Press - type 6. 

Printing never runs smoothly and again we have the additional DOT (or period mark) in the "Sold in the .U.K. subject to resale etc" on side 1. This was still common across all EMI artist's releases at the time.

Pressed just after type 5 or at the same time perhaps on machine 2?.

Three runs of this with stampers being 1,0 RHG / 6 GA  , the second 1,5 RLG / 5 RA , and the third an unusual 1,6 RLD / 5 RA !

All mono pressing runs this late were pressed to order (& possibly to keep the then 1968/69 EMI ordering catalogue, current), and would have been pressed in minute numbers.

9th Press - type 1.

We finally lose the "Sold in the U.K." line after it no longer being necessary because of the lax in luxury tax on records at this time in 1969.

Needless to say, one would never see that pesky little DOT turn up again!

This was the last Mono Yellow & Black label of the 60's. Just as hard to find as the one box pressing below though there were actually two runs of this with stampers being 1,0 RHG / 6 GA  for this edition. There are minute differences between these 2 labels, and most collectors look for both in order to have the set!

9th Press - type 2.

Nearly identical to the above label but there are some differences. This is because it was pressed on another machine probably alongside type 1.

The easiest way to know which one you have is to look at the distance between the bottom of the track listing txt and "The Beatles".

The other way to technically know is to look at the stamper codes at the 3 and 9 O'clock positions on the run-off (before the needle finally picks up).

This version has the 1,5 RHR / 6 RM pressing stampers so is placed here.

10th Press.

This is defined by having 1 EMI Box on each side of the labels and was the very last press of the original Mono's and as such are very sought after.

It has often been said that these were by special order only as EMI had abandoned Mono at this point in time (1969/1970).

It is possible that there is another label variation of this with a shorter second line on side 1..

11th Press - type 1.

This was from the 1982 Mono box set. EMI decided to re-issue a Mono box with authentic 60's labels.

You can easily tell these apart as they have MONO printed near the top of the label above the Yellow Parlophone.

11th Press - type 2.

This is the same as above and has the same text layout.

The difference here is the inner ring near the centre hole on side 2 only. This is very pronounced and is quite common but less so than the type without it or type 1 above.

12th Press - type 1a(i).

With the advent of the CD in 1986, EMI standardized the album using the original MONO mix. For this they adapted the current stereo label by changing the catalogue number & adding the word "MONO" above, though they forgot to change the YEX.94/5 (to the mid- left of the labels). The sound was still mono as the  XEX 421/2 matrices are still correctly stamped on the run offs.

Matrix lacquer numbers for this run are:

XEX 421 -4-1-1 / XXE XEX 422 -3-1-2

12th Press - type 1a(ii).

There are also two known paper textures of this label with the other being this lighter type and was pressed later than the above label as has a later matrix number on side 1.

There have also been sightings or rumours of a corrected XEX label apparently! Obviously I am on the lookout for my own copy ... till I eventually found it (12T1b) below.

 

 

Matrix numbers for this release are

XEX 421 -4-1-2 / XXE XEX 422 -3-1-2

XEX 421 -6-1-2 / XXE XEX 422 -3-1-2

12th Press - type 1a(iii).

Mismatched Mono/Stereo edition with MONO label with the stereo (YEX94/95) matrix mistake on the labels but this time it actually does play in stereo as the matrices on the dead wax/run off grooves are YEX 94 and YEX 95.

This has been seen once with a Mono sleeve (with a Not for Sale sticker on the back) by fellow collector Finn, and now once with a Stereo sleeve! (please see Stereo run).

Pressed on VERY thin Vinyl almost flexible!

Matrix numbers for this release are YEX 94-4 / YEX 95-4 with 5/5 at the 9 O'clock mark(s) and was the very last pressing run of the original stereo mix and EQ from 1963 as the next edition released many years later was digitally remastered.

 

12th Press - type 1b.

A very rare label to find is this corrected (XEX. 421) / (XEX. 422) matrix denote that had previously erroneously been (YEX.94) / (YEX.95) on all issues on this mono release.

Following on from the last of the above MONO matrix numbers this would appear to be pressed during the last run.

XEX 421 -6-1-2 / XXE XEX 422 -3-1-2

12th Press - type 2a.

Same typeset as type 1 above but printed on a different textured label AND more importantly, with an indented Ring that doesn't appear on any stereo equivalent.. (Perhaps stereo had been discontinued by now), the XEX 421 / XEX422 has now been corrected on the labels as per above.

XEX 421 -6-1-  / XXE XEX 422 -3-1-

 

12th Press - type 2b.

Again the same typeset as above but printed using a different ink and colour label. The bottom EMI box is closer to the "The Beatles" text.

Definitely most possibly be an entirely differnt run!

Interestingly to note, this still has the YEX scratched or XXX'd out  before the XEX422 etc on the side 2 run off.

I have been informed that this may be a Dutch pressing made at Record Industries Haarlem in the Netherlands in 2003 using UK labels. Whether these were Imported in or Exported out will need to be looked into!

Please Please Me Complete Stereo Run HERE

13th Press

In 2014 EMI decided to re-release and remaster the original mono albums using just (updated) analogue equipment and release as a vinyl box set. These are the labels for the Please Please Me Lp in that series.

It would have been much better had they copied the track layout of the original's, especially as side 2 label looks a mess!

And the "Made in the E.U" is a bit of a misnomer..

 I have been collecting Beatles all my life, and the stamper codes (the letters & No's imprinted on the dead wax / run off grooves) have always intrigued me. I have been able to piece together and correctly order these labels mostly because of the stamper codes on these run off grooves..

 I also have used a few transitional copies I have collected. These have the end of run label on one side, & the next new label on the other and are known in the trade as "crossover" pressings. These are very helpful in determining the order of some labels plus the last & first mother stampers used for each run.. (but that's another story :)

 

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