Early Beatles album question--

Lugnut, thanks! Do you think that they cut very many of these albums at that time? Is this original issue album a rare item now? Just curious. Stan

"Meet the Beatles" was the first Capitol album released in the US, on Jan. 20, 1964, a few weeks before the lads' arrival on these shores. "Introducing the Beatles" came out on Vee Jay in July 1963. There were two Parlaphone releases in the UK in 1963 ("Please Please Me" and "With the Beatles"). Because Parlaphone got a year's head start, Capitol was throwing together compilations practically at random in the early days, and there's little correlation between UK and US releases pre-Revolver.

As to its value, don't hold your breath. "Meet the Beatles" entered the Billboard album charts on 2/1/64, hit #1 two weeks later, and wasn't knocked out of the #1 slot until 5/2/64 (by--what else?--"The Beatles' Second Album"). In other words, it was a huge seller in its time, and there are probably plenty of copies around now. There are, at any given time, multiple copies available on eBay for under $10.

By the way, it matters (at least for the sake of sound quality) if the album is mono or stereo. Mono was definitely better.

Pabelson, wow... Thanks for all the information. I wasn't planing on selling the album. I was just curious as to it's availability. I've taken a close look at the album. It doesn't say stereo or mono anywhere on the album. Does this mean it's mono?

If your catalog number is T-2047, then it should be mono. On the jacket it says "also available in stereo."

Hodie, Thanks! Yes, by the album side #'s (1 and 2)- It says T-2047 and under that it reads "(T-X-1-2047)." So I guess that it's a mono recording. The jacket and sleeve are missing at this time. Thanks all for your answers! Stan