Beatles LP 1968 Sgt. Pepper Absolutely RAREST “Subsidiary of” Scranton Labels EX

$

60

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles LP 1968 Sgt. Pepper Absolutely TOUGHEST “Subsidiary of…” Scranton Labels, EX/VG!

The labels may look familiar to you.  But they’re not.   

In 1968, when Capitol Records incorporated, they revised their record labels to include the “A Subsidiary of Capitol Industries” at the bottoms of their labels, which moved the small white Capitol logo from the 6 O’clock position to the 5 O’clock position.  By far, when you come across one of these copies, it will be the revised labels, which featured the smaller print with the album’s title on one line at the top.  These labels are so common, because they were used by both the Scranton and Los Angeles plants.  See COMPERE photo.

But only for the first week or two, until the new label layout was made available, Capitol simply used the first pressing templates, and then added the new text at the labels’ bottoms, which is what this copy is.

You think this one is easy to find? Start looking now, and then bid accordingly. 

**This is an undocumented label variation.  Since 1975, I’ve seen two.  And it’s not discussed in any of the great books and price guides out there.**

Vinyl--- EX/VG.  Side 1 looks 95% brand new, with just a stray line or two.  Side 2 has many more light scratches, but still retains about 85% to 90% new gloss.

Plates--- B5/B2.  Machine-stamped triangle with the letters, “IAM” inside it makes this copy pressed by Scranton.

Cover--- EX.  Beautiful early 1968 cover. Top edge in the photo isn’t shelfwear. It’s light glare. Early 1968 covers had realigned the color scheme, so that there is no white border at the top or bottom.  Same with back cover, which should show all red.  Early 1968 covers have both Stereo and Mono catalogue numbers showing on the top and bottom right corners. Spine is muscular-strong, full and bold spine print. VERY LITTLE TO NO SHELFWEAR.

Gatefold--- EX. Gatefold also has corrected and neatly-printed seams, so that the top shows the corresponding yellow on the left top, and red on the right top. Very slight foxing.  NO CENTER SEAM SPLITS.

Insert--- EX.  Rarely will you find an insert that hasn’t at least moderately yellowed from the 1960’s.  This insert is the stiff cardboard from the 60’s, light yellowing only.  Sits flat and razor-sharp. Very light record indent, one light crease to the right of the Sgt.

Labels--- EX/EX.  Light spindle marks, and not many. Otherwise, labels retain 100% color and gloss.

Inner Sleeve--- VG+. Moderate foxing on both sides, and a side split that is less than half an inch long.

A generic inner sleeve will be provided, so as not to damage your original inner sleeve en route.

RIAA--- N/A

**Even counting the 1969 “Subsidiary of…” defective W9 plate on Side 2, this unconfirmed label variation is rarer. Think about how many W9’s you’ve seen for sale, and then ask yourself whether you’d ever even seen one of these before.  This one might be too generous of a Christmas gift if you check your own collection and then discover that this one is missing.**

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

Winners in all other countries will be charged actual shipping to their locations, so please wait to be invoiced.  You will be quoted for the cheapest shipping to your country that the US post office can afford me.  Please let me know if you would prefer to pay for a faster means of shipping, but do NOT ask me to declare packages as gifts, or any other means of defrauding the postal services.  Much appreciated.

I ship on Mondays and Thursdays.  This means that immediate payments will be shipped out the following morning, and later payments must wait until the first available Monday or Thursday after payment is received.  Please pay within 7 days of the auction ending.  I do leave negative feedback for non-payers.

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