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POLYDOR RECORDS
01. The Beatles' First (stereo) (236.201)
(Update: 7th. December 2022)
sleeve
  Polydor 1st. Sleeve
Notice* Click the photo of each album, so you can see the large picture image.

#1-1 The Beatles' First (1st. Press: "MONO Label with MCPS credit / Has BEATLES credit on the sleeve": 236.201)
Back to the top of the line 
TITLE
 The Beatles' First
(Recorded In Hamburg 1961 with Tony Sheridan & Guests)
CATALOG NUMBER 236.201
RELEASE DATE
 4th. August 1967 / First Press
TRACK LISTING SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Ain't She Sweet / The Beatles
 Sweet Georgia Brown / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
Cry For A Shadow / The Beatles
 The Saints / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
Let's Dance / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ruby Baby / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
My Bonnie / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
 Why (Can't You Love Me Again) / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
 Nobody's Child / The Beatles With Tony Sheridan
What'd I Say / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ya Ya / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click! SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK
sleeve sleeve label label label
INNER SLEEVE FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve Polydor SPECIAL logo was printed at the upper right of the front cover.
 sleeve Artwork designer's credit: Barry Zaid

cf. "Barry Zaid.com"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve sleeve
Sleeve has "Stereo also playable mono" in small print below the Polydor Special logo.
The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 cover Sleeve has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red label with black half-circle logo.
The first pressings of the album have “M” for mono at the top of the "33" record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.
Matrix numbers:
Side-1: 5G6 ?V  8  236201   237632-2 A-1    2
Side-2: 5G6 ?V  8  236201   237632-2 B        2
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 First label variation has "MCPS (*)" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
2nd. label variation has “M.C.P.S.” with periods in the box to the left of the center.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The Beatles' First was released in 1964 by German Polydor and was available in the UK as an import. On 4 August 1967, Polydor officially released the album in the UK, but with a different sleeve and catalogue number (236-201).
OTHER ITEM
-

LABEL Polydor Mono Red label with black half-circle logo.
MIX STEREO
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 5G6 ?V  8  236201   237632-2 A-1    2
SIDE 2 5G6 ?V  8  236201   237632-2 B        2
VINYL COLOR BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME Polydor Records Ltd.
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K."		 -
RECORDING  PUBLISHED CREDIT (P) 1962
COVER FORM Single type. laminated cover.
PRINTER CREDIT Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., Lindon, W.11. Patent Pending.
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES Artwork (Front Sleeve) / Barry Zaid
Sleeve Notes / Tony Sheridan
INNER SLEEVE White plain paper sleeve
PRODUCER Bert Kaempfert
COMMENTS Album features the eight Hamburg recordings involving the Beatles plus four songs recorded by Tony Sheridan without the Beatles. While it appears that Polydor in U.K. initially planned on releasing The Beatles First in mono, the company ultimately decided to press the LP exclusively in stereo.
This album is a reissue of the eponymous German album which was released in April 1964 and imported to England.

Germany's “The Beatles' First”, HI-FI 46432, was published in mono (LPHM 46 432) and stereo (SLPHM 237 432) versions. The album has a purple / black sleeve with “PRINTED IN GERMANY” below black line on the back side. Only mono version were imported to England.

These LPs exists in a mono version, but ALL of the records with this label play however in STEREO).

The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. Sleeve has “Stereo also playable mono” in small print below the Polydor Special logo. Sleeve has “The Beatles” printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.

Red labels with black half-circle logos.
The first pressings of the album have "MONO" label: “M” for mono at the top of the “33” record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.

1st. pressing / 4th. August 1967:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "MCPS" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
2nd. pressing / 1968?:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
3rd. pressing / 1969?:
  • Label Type-1
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole. (MONO Label only)
  • Label Type-2
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve Type-1
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
  • Sleeve Type-2
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
4th. pressing?
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • NO "The Beatles" credit  printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
    • This edition doesn't have a plastic laminated back.
(*) MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) represents songwriters, composers and music publishers – representing their mechanical rights, and collects royalties whenever their music is reproduced as a physical product.


#1-2 The Beatles' First  (2nd. Press: "MONO Label with "M.C.P.S." credit / NO Beatles credit on the sleeve": 236.201)
Back to the top of the line 
TITLE
 The Beatles' First
(Recorded In Hamburg 1961 with Tony Sheridan & Guests)
CATALOG NUMBER 236.201
RELEASE DATE
 1968? / Second Press
TRACK LISTING SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Ain't She Sweet
 Sweet Georgia Brown / with Tony Sheridan
Cry For A Shadow
 The Saints / with Tony Sheridan
Let's Dance / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ruby Baby / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
My Bonnie / with Tony Sheridan
 Why (Can't You Love Me Again) / with Tony Sheridan
Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby / with Tony Sheridan
 Nobody's Child / with Tony Sheridan
What'd I Say / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ya Ya / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click! SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK
sleeve sleeve label label label
INNER SLEEVE FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve Polydor SPECIAL logo was printed at the upper right of the front cover.
 sleeve Artwork designer's credit: Barry Zaid

cf. "Barry Zaid.com"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve sleeve
Sleeve has "Stereo also playable mono" in small print below the Polydor Special logo.
The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 cover 2nd. pressing / 1968?:
Second sleeve variation do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red label with black half-circle logo.
The first pressings of the album have “M” for mono at the top of the "33" record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.
Matrix numbers:
Side-1: 5G6 ?V    236201   237632-2 A-1    5
Side-2: 5G6 ?V    236201   237632-2 B        5
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 First label variation has "MCPS (*)" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
2nd. label variation has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The Beatles' First was released in 1964 by German Polydor and was available in the UK as an import. On 4 August 1967, Polydor officially released the album in the UK, but with a different sleeve and catalogue number (236-201).
OTHER ITEM
-

LABEL Polydor Mono Red label with black half-circle logo.
MIX STEREO
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 5G6 ?V    236201   237632-2 A-1    5
SIDE 2 5G6 ?V    236201   237632-2 B        5
VINYL COLOR BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME Polydor Records Ltd.
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K."		 -
RECORDING  PUBLISHED CREDIT (P) 1962
COVER FORM Single type. laminated cover.
PRINTER CREDIT Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., Lindon, W.11. Patent Pending.
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES Artwork (Front Sleeve) / Barry Zaid
Sleeve Notes / Tony Sheridan
INNER SLEEVE White plain paper sleeve
PRODUCER Bert Kaempfert
COMMENTS Album features the eight Hamburg recordings involving the Beatles plus four songs recorded by Tony Sheridan without the Beatles. While it appears that Polydor in U.K. initially planned on releasing The Beatles First in mono, the company ultimately decided to press the LP exclusively in stereo.
This album is a reissue of the eponymous German album which was released in April 1964 and imported to England.

Germany's “The Beatles' First”, HI-FI 46432, was published in mono (LPHM 46 432) and stereo (SLPHM 237 432) versions. The album has a purple / black sleeve with “PRINTED IN GERMANY” below black line on the back side. Only mono version were imported to England.

These LPs exists in a mono version, but ALL of the records with this label play however in STEREO).

The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. Sleeve has “Stereo also playable mono” in small print below the Polydor Special logo. Sleeve has “The Beatles” printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.

Red labels with black half-circle logos.
The first pressings of the album have "MONO" label: “M” for mono at the top of the “33” record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.


1st. pressing / 4th. August 1967:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "MCPS" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
2nd. pressing / 1968?:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
3rd. pressing / 1969?:
  • Label Type-1
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole. (MONO Label only)
  • Label Type-2
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve Type-1
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
  • Sleeve Type-2
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
4th. pressing?
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • NO "The Beatles" credit printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
    • This edition doesn't have a plastic laminated back.
(*) MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) represents songwriters, composers and music publishers – representing their mechanical rights, and collects royalties whenever their music is reproduced as a physical product.

#1-3 The Beatles' First (3rd. Press?: "MONO Label with "STEREO" text / Has BEATLES credit on the sleeve" 236.201)
Back to the top of the line 
TITLE
 The Beatles' First
(Recorded In Hamburg 1961 with Tony Sheridan & Guests)
CATALOG NUMBER 236.201
RELEASE DATE
 1969? / 3rd. Press?
TRACK LISTING SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Ain't She Sweet
 Sweet Georgia Brown / with Tony Sheridan
Cry For A Shadow
 The Saints / with Tony Sheridan
Let's Dance / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ruby Baby / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
My Bonnie / with Tony Sheridan
 Why (Can't You Love Me Again) / with Tony Sheridan
Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby / with Tony Sheridan
 Nobody's Child / with Tony Sheridan
What'd I Say / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ya Ya / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click! SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK
sleeve sleeve label label label
INNER SLEEVE FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click!
sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve Polydor SPECIAL logo was printed at the upper right of the front cover.
Artwork designer's credit: Barry Zaid

cf. "Barry Zaid.com"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve sleeve
Sleeve has "Stereo also playable mono" in small print below the Polydor Special logo.The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 cover Sleeve has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label Red label with black half-circle logo.
Use mono labels for stereo records.
Added the words "STEREO" at the right side of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 This issue has "MCPS (*)" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label Matrix numbers:
Side-1: 236201 237632-2  A-1
Side-2: 236201 237632-2 B.
OTHER ITEM
-

LABEL Polydor Mono Red label with black half-circle logo.
MIX STEREO
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 5G6 ◊V     236201     237632-2  A-1    7       5
SIDE 2 5G6 ◊V     236201      237632-2 B            5
VINYL COLOR BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME Polydor Records Ltd.
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K."		 -
RECORDING  PUBLISHED CREDIT (P) 1962
COVER FORM Single type. Half laminated cover.
PRINTER CREDIT Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., Lindon, W.11. Patent Pending.
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES Artwork (Front Sleeve) / Barry Zaid
Sleeve Notes / Tony Sheridan
INNER SLEEVE Polythene-lined sleeve
PRODUCER Bert Kaempfert
COMMENTS Album features the eight Hamburg recordings involving the Beatles plus four songs recorded by Tony Sheridan without the Beatles. While it appears that Polydor in U.K. initially planned on releasing The Beatles First in mono, the company ultimately decided to press the LP exclusively in stereo.
This album is a reissue of the eponymous German album which was released in April 1964 and imported to England.

Germany's “The Beatles' First”, HI-FI 46432, was published in mono (LPHM 46 432) and stereo (SLPHM 237 432) versions. The album has a purple / black sleeve with “PRINTED IN GERMANY” below black line on the back side. Only mono version were imported to England.

These LPs exists in a mono version, but ALL of the records with this label play however in STEREO).

The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. Sleeve has “Stereo also playable mono” in small print below the Polydor Special logo. Sleeve has “The Beatles” printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.

Red labels with black half-circle logos.
The first pressings of the album have "MONO" label: “M” for mono at the top of the “33” record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.
This issue have MONO label, but, Added the words "STEREO" at the right side of the label.

1st. pressing / 4th. August 1967:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "MCPS" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
2nd. pressing / 1968?:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
3rd. pressing / 1969?:
  • Label Type-1
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole. (MONO Label only)
  • Label Type-2
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve Type-1
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
  • Sleeve Type-2
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
4th. pressing?
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • NO "The Beatles" credit printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
    • This edition doesn't have a plastic laminated back.
(*) MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) represents songwriters, composers and music publishers – representing their mechanical rights, and collects royalties whenever their music is reproduced as a physical product.


#1-4 The Beatles' First (3rd. Press?: "STEREO Label / Has BEATLES credit on the sleeve": 236.201)
Back to the top of the line 
TITLE
 The Beatles' First
(Recorded In Hamburg 1961 with Tony Sheridan & Guests)
CATALOG NUMBER 236.201
RELEASE DATE
 1969? / Third Press?
TRACK LISTING SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Ain't She Sweet
 Sweet Georgia Brown / with Tony Sheridan
Cry For A Shadow
 The Saints / with Tony Sheridan
Let's Dance / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ruby Baby / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
My Bonnie / with Tony Sheridan
 Why (Can't You Love Me Again) / with Tony Sheridan
Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby / with Tony Sheridan
 Nobody's Child / with Tony Sheridan
What'd I Say / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ya Ya / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click! SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK
sleeve sleeve label label label
INNER SLEEVE FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click!
sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve Polydor SPECIAL logo was printed at the upper right of the front cover.
Artwork designer's credit: Barry Zaid

cf. "Barry Zaid.com"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve sleeve
Sleeve has "Stereo also playable mono" in small print below the Polydor Special logo.The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 cover Sleeve has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 Printer's credit:  "Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., London, W.11."
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red labels with black half-circle logos.
Labels have “STEREO SPECIAL” text and “ST” for stereo in a circle located next to the “33” circle.
Matrix numbers:
Side-1: 236201 237632-2  A-1
Side-2: 236201 237632-2 B.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 First label has "MCPS (*)" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole.
OTHER ITEM
-

LABEL Polydor Stereo Red label with black half-circle logo.
MIX STEREO
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 5G6 ?V     236201-     237632-2  A-1       5
SIDE 2 5G6 ?V     236201      237632-2 B            5
VINYL COLOR BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME Polydor Records Ltd.
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K."		 -
RECORDING  PUBLISHED CREDIT (P) 1962
COVER FORM Single type. Half laminated cover.
PRINTER CREDIT Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., Lindon, W.11. Patent Pending.
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES Artwork (Front Sleeve) / Barry Zaid
Sleeve Notes / Tony Sheridan
INNER SLEEVE Polythene-lined sleeve
PRODUCER Bert Kaempfert
COMMENTS Album features the eight Hamburg recordings involving the Beatles plus four songs recorded by Tony Sheridan without the Beatles. While it appears that Polydor in U.K. initially planned on releasing The Beatles First in mono, the company ultimately decided to press the LP exclusively in stereo.
This album is a reissue of the eponymous German album which was released in April 1964 and imported to England.

Germany's “The Beatles' First”, HI-FI 46432, was published in mono (LPHM 46 432) and stereo (SLPHM 237 432) versions. The album has a purple / black sleeve with “PRINTED IN GERMANY” below black line on the back side. Only mono version were imported to England.

These LPs exists in a mono version, but ALL of the records with this label play however in STEREO).

The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. Sleeve has “Stereo also playable mono” in small print below the Polydor Special logo. Sleeve has “The Beatles” printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.

Red labels with black half-circle logos.
The first pressings of the album have "MONO" label: “M” for mono at the top of the “33” record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.
This issue have the STEREO Label with "STEREO SPECIAL" text and “ST” for stereo in a circle located next to the "33" circle.

1st. pressing / 4th. August 1967:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "MCPS" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
2nd. pressing / 1968?:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
3rd. pressing / 1969?:
  • Label Type-1
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole. (MONO Label only)
  • Label Type-2
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve Type-1
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
  • Sleeve Type-2
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
4th. pressing?
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • NO "The Beatles" credit  printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
    • This edition doesn't have a plastic laminated back.
(*) MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) represents songwriters, composers and music publishers – representing their mechanical rights, and collects royalties whenever their music is reproduced as a physical product.


#1-5 The Beatles' First (4th. Press?: "STEREO Label / NO BEATLES credit on the sleeve / Has expanded language under the Polydor SPECIAL logo": 236.201)
Back to the top of the line 
TITLE
 The Beatles' First
(Recorded In Hamburg 1961 with Tony Sheridan & Guests)
CATALOG NUMBER 236.201
RELEASE DATE
 1969? / 4th Press?
TRACK LISTING SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Ain't She Sweet
 Sweet Georgia Brown / with Tony Sheridan
Cry For A Shadow
 The Saints / with Tony Sheridan
Let's Dance / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ruby Baby / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
My Bonnie / with Tony Sheridan
 Why (Can't You Love Me Again) / with Tony Sheridan
Take Out Some Insurance On Me, Baby / with Tony Sheridan
 Nobody's Child / with Tony Sheridan
What'd I Say / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
 Ya Ya / Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click! SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK
sleeve sleeve label label label
INNER SLEEVE FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
FRONT --> Click! BACK --> Click!
sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve Polydor SPECIAL logo was printed at the upper right of the front cover.
Artwork designer's credit: Barry Zaid

cf. "Barry Zaid.com"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
sleeve sleeve sleeve
Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON"
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 cover Sleeve has NO "The Beatles" credit printed under each song on which they play.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
cover
 Printer's credit:  "Printed and made by Ernest J. Day, Lindon. Patent Pending."
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red labels with black half-circle logos.
Labels have “STEREO SPECIAL” text and “ST” for stereo in a circle located next to the “33” circle.
Matrix numbers:
Side-1: 236201 237632-2  A-1
Side-2: 236201 237632-2 B.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 First label has "MCPS (*)" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole.
The Beatles' First was released in 1964 by German Polydor and was available in the UK as an import. On 4 August 1967, Polydor officially released the album in the UK, but with a different sleeve and catalogue number (236-201).
label label
OTHER ITEM
-

LABEL Polydor Stereo Red label with black half-circle logo.
MIX STEREO
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 5G6 ?V     236201-     237632-2  A-1       5
SIDE 2 5G6 ?V     236201      237632-2 B            5
VINYL COLOR BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME Polydor Records Ltd.
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K."		 -
RECORDING  PUBLISHED CREDIT (P) 1962
COVER FORM Single type. Half laminated cover.
PRINTER CREDIT Printed and made by Ernest J. Day, Lindon. Patent Pending.
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES Artwork (Front Sleeve) / Barry Zaid
Sleeve Notes / Tony Sheridan
INNER SLEEVE Plain White Sleeve Type-2-2
PRODUCER Bert Kaempfert
COMMENTS Album features the eight Hamburg recordings involving the Beatles plus four songs recorded by Tony Sheridan without the Beatles. While it appears that Polydor in U.K. initially planned on releasing The Beatles First in mono, the company ultimately decided to press the LP exclusively in stereo.
This album is a reissue of the eponymous German album which was released in April 1964 and imported to England.

Germany's “The Beatles' First”, HI-FI 46432, was published in mono (LPHM 46 432) and stereo (SLPHM 237 432) versions. The album has a purple / black sleeve with “PRINTED IN GERMANY” below black line on the back side. Only mono version were imported to England.

These LPs exists in a mono version, but ALL of the records with this label play however in STEREO).

The album outer sleeves were manufactured by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. The back of the album sleeve features liner notes by Tony Sheridan. Sleeve has “Stereo also playable mono” in small print below the Polydor Special logo. Sleeve has “The Beatles” printed under each song on which they play, while does not. Both variations can be found with or without lamination on the back sleeve.

Red labels with black half-circle logos.
The first pressings of the album have "MONO" label: “M” for mono at the top of the “33” record speed triangle located to the right of the center hole.
This issue have the STEREO Label with "STEREO SPECIAL" text and “ST” for stereo in a circle located next to the "33" circle.

1st. pressing / 4th. August 1967:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "MCPS" without periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
2nd. pressing / 1968?:
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole.
    • Has "M.C.P.S." with periods in the box to the left of the center.
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has a plastic laminated back.
3rd. pressing / 1969?:
  • Label Type-1
    • Red Polydor Special label with Two visible press rings around the center hole. (MONO Label only)
  • Label Type-2
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve Type-1
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
  • Sleeve Type-2
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Distributed in Great Breitain by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • Do not has "The Beatles" printed under each song on which they play.
    • This edition does'nt have a plastic laminated back.
4th. pressing?
  • Label
    • Red Polydor Special label with Only One visible press ring around the center hole. (both MONO and STEREO label)
  • Sleeve
    • On the back cover in the bottom left hand corner is the text "Manufactured by POLYDOR RECORDS LTD., LONDON", and in the right hand corner is the text "Printed and made by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., London, W. 11. Patent Pending."
    • NO "The Beatles" credit printed under each song on which they play.
    • Has expanded language to provide comfort to purchasers that the "This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers" and advisers consumers that "If in doubt, consult your dealer" under the Polydor SPECIAL logo.
    • This edition doesn't have a plastic laminated back.
(*) MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) represents songwriters, composers and music publishers – representing their mechanical rights, and collects royalties whenever their music is reproduced as a physical product.


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