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Parlophone Original Released
#02. Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (45-R 4983)
(Update: 18th. May 2023)
label
Red Parlophone Label

Notice* Click the disk of each single, so you can see the large picture image.

#2-1 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (Demonstration Record: 45-R 4983)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 Demonstration Record (First Press: 11th January 1963)
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 White label with black ink and, on the A-side, a large red "A" over the face of the label.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter, and "DEMONSTRATION RECORD" was on the label.
 label label Push-out center,
tax code is "M,T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "NOT FOR SALE" was printed at the bellow of the Parlohone logo.
 label label Publisher's name "DICK JAMES MUSIC (capital letter)" was printed at the left side of the center hole on both sides.
label label Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The promotional copies still have the prefix "45-R" at the record number as "45-R 4983". label label Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 45-R 4983
LABEL
 Parlophone Demonstration Label
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Top Pop Record Sleeve type-A : Blue sleeve with red ink.
COMMENTS
 White label with black ink and, on the A-side, a large red "A" over the face of the label.
  • "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" on its outer rim.
  • "DEMONSTRATION RECORD" and "NOT FOR SALE" were printed at the bellow of the Parlohone logo.
  • The promotional copies still have the prefix "45-R" at the record number as "45-R 4983".

Made for both radio and for the record shops, all U.K. Parlophone and Apple 7" Beatles singles had promotional Records.
A Promo is always a copy of the exact performance and mix that is to be sold in the record shops. It is pressed from the very same plates used to make the commercially-available 45rpm singles.

The first 12 Beatles singles, from "Love Me Do" trough "Paperback Writer"(*)  all had promo's on white-label disks with black ink and, on the Aside, a large red "A" over the face of the label.
Records like "Day tripper/We Can Work It Out", issued as double-A-sided disks, had the red "A" on both sides of the record label.

* excepted for "She Loves You, Can't Buy Me Love, I Feel Fine, and Help!"
EMI did not prepare a demonstration record for these records.

Beginning with "All You Need Is Love (**)", Promo's were made with a lime-green background and a White "A" on the intended Aside.
These lime -green promo's had slightly-smaller labels, so the labels fit within the circle of ridges surrounding the label area, instead of overlapping onto them, as the previous promo's did.

**  EMI did not prepare a demonstration record for "Strawberry Fields Forever"


#2-2 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (1st. Press "Red Parlophone Crossover Label / with/without Made In Gt. Britain": 45-R 4983)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 11th January. 1963/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve sleeve label label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.

The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 SIDE-1
label Without the words "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN"
SIDE-2
label With the words "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN"(capital letter)
LABEL CLOSE UP
label Push-out center.
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.		 label label Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.
label label Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 45-R 4983
LABEL
 Red Parlophone
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Sleeve type-C : "Triangular design" Company sleeve
Slight curved cut at top.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 The second official EMI release.
Parlophone Red Label.
 There are two kinds of subtype in the red label;
one does not have the name of the country at the right part of the label (under the trade mark) and another is with the words "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN"(*).
*My record: Side-1 does not have the country name, but side-2 has the name.
Please note that the record number is still "45-R 4983". The prefix "45" seems apparently for "45 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)", later the number became simply "R 4983".
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.

This was originally pressed with the red label, and it was actually in January during pressings of this release that EMI moved to the more familiar black label, therefore there are a lot less red than black.
Also during this release's chart life, in March 1963, EMI dropped the "45" prefix,
therefore any after March have just "R 4983".
Notice the "black" release has the small "rights of the manufacturer" writing in Mixed upper/lower case, this changes with later releases when I get to "I Want To Hold Your Hand".
The plain green paper sleeve with a round "￡" logo was introduced at the same time as the black label.


#2-3 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (2nd. Press "Black Parlophone Label / The Parlo rim Type-1": 45-R 4983)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 Early 1963/Second Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label label It has not the central remark "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS." yet.
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.
The earliest copies still have the prefix "45" at the record number as "45-R 4983".
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 The "t" in "MADE IN Gt BRITAIN" text is small letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon"
On side-2,the label has right justified song titles, songwriters' credits and group name.		 Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 45-R 4983
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: large type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-1A : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
Company name is "Electric & Musical Industries Ltd" on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 Black Parlophone label in silver print.
There are two kinds of subtype in the black label;
The earliest copies still have the prefix "45" at the record number as "45-R 4983". The prefix "45" seems apparently for "45 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)", later the number became simply "R 4983". Becsuse in March 1963, EMI decided to drop the "45" prefix from the catalog number, so all of records released after March 1963 don't feature the "45" prefix.

The label has a characteristic credit in a small letter at the perimeter with reads "The Parlophone Co. Ltd."
It has not the central remark "SOLD IN UK..." yet.
Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.

On side-2,
#2-3 (=this record) has right justified song titles, songwriters' credits and group name.
#2-4 has center justified.

Notice the "black" release has the small "rights of the manufacturer" writing in Mixed upper/lower case, this changes with later releases when I get to "I Want To Hold Your Hand".
The plain green paper sleeve with a round "￡" logo was introduced at the same time as the black label.


#2-4 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (2nd. Press"Black Parlophone Label / The Parlo rim Type-2: 45-R 4983)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 Early 1963/Second Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label label It has not the central remark "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS." yet.
The embossed letter (tax code) is "M & T".
The earliest copies still have the prefix "45" at the record number as "45-R 4983".
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
#2-3
Type-1		 #2-4
Type-2 (=this record)		 The "t" in "MADE IN Gt BRITAIN" text is small letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
"Type-1" has right justified song titles, songwriters' credits and group name. This label has center justified song titles, songwriters' credits and group name. Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 45-R 4983
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: large type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-1A : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
Company name is "Electric & Musical Industries Ltd" on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 There are two kinds of subtype in the black label;
The earliest copies still have the prefix "45" at the record number as "45-R 4983". The prefix "45" seems apparently for "45 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)", later the number became simply "R 4983". Becsuse in March 1963, EMI decided to drop the "45" prefix from the catalog number, so all of records released after March 1963 don't feature the "45" prefix.

The label has a characteristic credit in a small letter at the perimeter with reads "The Parlophone Co. Ltd."
It has not the central remark "SOLD IN UK..." yet.
Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.

On side-2,
#2-3 has right justified song titles, songwriters' credits and group name.
#2-4 (=this record) has center justified.

Notice the "black" release has the small "rights of the manufacturer" writing in Mixed upper/lower case, this changes with later releases when I get to "I Want To Hold Your Hand".
The plain green paper sleeve with a round "￡" logo was introduced at the same time as the black label.


#2-5 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (3rd. Press "Black Parlophone Label / The Parlo rim": R 4983)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 1963/Third Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label label Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.

The "t" in "MADE IN Gt BRITAIN" text is small letter.
The later copies erased the prefix "45" at the record number as "R 4983". label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label It has not the central remark "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS." yet.

Push-out center, tax code is "P,K,T"		 SIDE 1 SIDE 2
label label
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 4983
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: large type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-1B : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
EMI company name was mis-print: "Controlled by Electric & Musical Instruments Ltd" on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 There are two kinds of subtype in the black label;
The earliest copies still have the prefix "45" at the record number as "45-R 4983". The prefix "45" seems apparently for "45 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)", later the number became simply "R 4983". The label has a characteristic credit in a small letter at the perimeter with reads "The Parlophone Co. Ltd."
It has not the central remark "SOLD IN UK..." yet.
Credited to song writing "McCartney-Lennon" on both sides.

Notice the "black" release has the small "rights of the manufacturer" writing in Mixed upper/lower case, this changes with later releases when I get to "I Want To Hold Your Hand".
The plain green paper sleeve with a round "￡" logo was introduced at the same time as the black label.


#2-6 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (4th. Press "Black Parlophone Label / The Parlo rim / with SOLD IN U.K.": R 4983)
RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (Capital letter)
Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 1964? /4th. Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label It has the central remark "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS." 
Push-out center, tax code is "K,T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
#2-6 4th. Press (=this record) #2-7 5th. Press The Parlophone logo mark is large type.
5th. pressings have the small Parlophone logo mark.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The record number is "R 4983".
Credited to song writing "McCartney - Lennon" on both sides.
The "t" in "MADE IN Gt. BRITAIN" text is small letter.		 SIDE 1 SIDE 2
label label
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 4983
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: large type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-1D : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
EMI company name was corrected: "Controlled by Electric & Musical Instrument Industries Ltd" in slightly larger font on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 The later black label has a characteristic credit in a capital letter at the perimeter which reads "The Palophone Co. Ltd.".
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1963 (capital letter)" statement was printed at the left part of the label.

Beginning in 1964, Parlophone (and all the other EMI companies) began printing a phrase in the centers of all their singles, EP's and LP's, which said:

SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO
RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS,
SEE PRICE LISTS.

This notice appears on the labels of every UK market EMI product, from very early 1964, right through mid-1969.


#2-7 Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (5th. Press "Black Parlophone Label / THE PARLO rim / with SOLD IN U.K.": R 4983)
 Recording first published 1963 (Small letter)
Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Please Please Me (McCartney-Lennon)
SIDE 2 Ask Me Why (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE
 1964? /5th. Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE please ask disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "Recording first published 1963 (small letter)" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label It has the central remark "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS." 
Push-out center, tax code is "K,T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Parlophone logo  is small type.
Credited to song writing "McCartney - Lennon" on both sides.
The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter.		 SIDE 1 SIDE 2
label label
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 4983
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 17217 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 17218 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD (capital letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Recording first published 1963 (small letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
SIDE 2
 DICK JAMES MUSIC CO. LTD.
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-1D : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
EMI company name was corrected: "Controlled by Electric & Musical Instrument Industries Ltd" in slightly larger font on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS
 The later black label has a characteristic credit in a capital letter at the perimeter which reads "THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD".
The "Recording first published 1963 (small letter)" statement was printed at the left part of the label.

Beginning in 1964, Parlophone (and all the other EMI companies) began printing a phrase in the centers of all their singles, EP's and LP's, which said:

SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO
RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS,
SEE PRICE LISTS.

This notice appears on the labels of every UK market EMI product, from very early 1964, right through mid-1969.


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