First pressing, released November 13, 2000. Surprising though it may seem, when “1” was released it was the first single-album compilation of Beatles hits since “20 Greatest Hits” 18 years earlier. The idea was simple, a collection of all The Beatles’ No.1 hits in the UK and US. Although the majority of their singles topped the charts in both countries, the first and last tracks on the compilation illustrated how this was not always the case. The songs on 1 were remastered specifically for the release in 2000. The remastering was overseen by Peter Mew of Abbey Road Studios and took place there.
The first pressing has a gatefold sleeve with Apple logo on back side and date 2000, and with credits: “Beatles”, “Apple” and the Apple logos are trademarks of Apple Corps. Ltd”.
The album included the four celebrated portraits of the group by photographer Richard Avedon…
…and a 24″ by 36″ poster of 126 different singles picture sleeves.
Records was housed in a original pictures inner sleeves with cut-out on the back sides.
Records have red labels and perimeter prints with Apple logo on 3′ o’clock, and date 2000. On the 12′ o’clock there is number 7243 529325 1 1. Also on the 3′ o’clock there is serial numbers below numbers of sides. Matrix number variations:
Variation 1: early matrix numbers: side 1: 5293251 3A1 SRz (scratched with error: 5 instead of 6); side 2: 5293261 B-01-1-3 (stamped) SRz (scratched); side 3: 5293271 A-02-1-3 (stamped); side 4: 5293271 B-01-1-3 (stamped) SRz (scratched).
More correctly, numbers stamped and SRz scratched:
Variation 2: 5293261 A-01-1-3 SRz / 5293261 B-01-1-2 SRz / 5293271 A-02-1-2 / 5293271 B-01-2 SRz.
Variation 3: 5293261 A-01-1-3 SRz / 5293261 B-01-1-3 SRz / 5293271 A-02-1-2 / 5293271 B-01-1-2 SRz.
Variation 4: 5293261 A-01-1-3 SRz / 5293261 B-01-1-3 SRz / 5293271 A-02-1-2 / 5293271 B-01-1-2 SRz.
In addition, 100 last special copies of the “1” was manufactured at the Hayes, EMI UK. This certifies that this item is among the last 100 copies ever pressed at the EMI manufacturing plant on January 8th 2001 and bears the unique matrix numbers: 5293261 A-100 / 5293261 B-100 & 5293271 A-100 / 5293271 B-100. A very rare item was given only to selected EMI & manufacturing plant employees. For each copy of the attached certificate of authenticity signed by Alan McElroy, Senior Manufacturing Director, EMI Music.
This records was manufactured by Hayes, EMI UK.
Records pressed by EMI Records, Uden, Netherlands.
Second pressing, release: December 4, 2014. Apple – Universal 0602537600793. At this time, for the album were used recordings remastered in 2009. Gatefold sleeve with Apple and Universal logos on back side. Text: “Didital Remasters 2009… 2014 Apple Corps. Ltd… 0602537600793”. The album included the four celebrated portraits of the group by photographer Richard Avedon and a 24″ by 36″ poster of 126 different singles picture sleeves. Records was housed in a original pictures inner sleeves with cut-out on the back sides.
On the shrink wrap appeared yellow sticker with red print “The Beatles 27 Classic No. 1 Singles”.
Records have red labels and very small perimeter prints with Apple logo on 3 o’clock. Serial number, year of publication and year of remastering appeared in perimeter print. Vinyl pressed by Optimal Media GmbH, Germany.
Matrix numbers: Side 1: 11142 1 (or 2A) 00602537600793000000; Side 2: 11142 1 00602537600793000000; Side 3: 11142 1 00602537600793000000; Side 4: 11142 1D 00602537600793000000.
Third pressing, release: November 6, 2015. Apple – Universal 0602547567901. The remastering was overseen by Giles Martin, the son of esteemed Beatles producer George Martin.
Sound engineer Miles Showell joined Abbey Road Studios from Metropolis Mastering in 2013. He controlled 1/2 speed mastering for the “1”, when analog source was played back at half speed and the cutting lathe is also run at half speed while cutting the lacquer.
Gatefold sleeve with Apple and Universal logos on back side. Text: “…2015 Apple Corps. Ltd… …Made In Germany. 0602547597901. Universal International Music…, Netherlands”. The album included the four celebrated portraits of the group by photographer Richard Avedon and a 24″ by 36″ poster of 126 different singles picture sleeves. Records was housed in a original pictures inner sleeves with cut-out on the back sides. Vinyl pressed by Optimal Media GmbH, Germany.
Records have red labels and micro perimeter prints with Apple and Universal logos on 3′ o’clock. Serial number and year of publication appeared in perimeter print.
Miles Showell, who controlled Abbey Road’s 1/2 speed mastering. His name appears in the matrix numbers: Side 1: 47567956 MILES ABBEY ROAD ½ SPEED BF06330-01 A2; Side 2: 47567949 BF06330-01 B1 MILES ABBEY ROAD ½ SPEED; Side 3: 47567956 BF06330-02 C1 ABBEY ROAD ½ SPEED; Side 4: 47567956 MILES AR ½ SPEEDÂ BF06330-02 D1 STAN RICKER R.I.P. & THANK YOU.
“Stan Ricker R.I.P. & Thank You” – This inscription appeared in memory of the legendary mastering and recording engineer Stan Ricker which the passed away in June 2015. Ricker first made his mastering presence known as a disc cutter along with Jack Hunt, for the original Mobile Fidelity 1/2 speed mastered LPs released in the 1970s and 1980s. Ricker mastered the original Mo-Fi Beatles box set in the early ’80s. Stan Ricker belongs to the Hollywood Sapphire Group, and formerly was a member of the Audio Engineering Society. He was voted “Disk Cutting Engineer of the Year” in 1981 by “Playboy Readers Poll” and was voted “Recording Engineer of the Year” in 1984.”
P.S. Comparison of spines of these three editions (down to up): 2000, 2014, 2015.
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