Beatles LP 1988 Abbey Road Strange Label Texture Purple “Manufactured by” Shrink

$

82

(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 1988 Abbey Road Strange Label Texture Purple “Manufactured by…” in Shrink, NM!

For those of us who find fascination with pressing plant variations, there’s this 1988 copy of Abbey Road, which has labels different to all the other copies I’ve ever seen. 

Three main differences are that first and most strikingly, the labels have thin horizontal lines across both labels.  And these labels are flat matte.  The usual labels we know have a circular thin groove pattern on high gloss.  (See compere photo.)

Secondly, these labels are a deeper plum color than the reddish-tinted 1988 purple labels we generally see. 

And thirdly, if it’s helpful to identify the pressing plant, whereas the more familiar Side 2 labels have the letter “T” and then maybe an additional letter or two embossed inside the concentric ring, this copy has just the letter “I” embossed with no additional letters.

Does anyone else own a copy like this one?  This label is featured in my books on flash drive, and this is the very copy that is pictured.

Vinyl--- EX/NM.  Side 1 has just one wispy hairline that actually looks like a hair.  Other than that one, both sides shine like a brand new album.

Plates--- F2/F2.  Pressed by Specialty Records.  Machine-stamped “SRC” logo on both sides.  “Wally” was the guy who mastered these plates.

Cover--- NM.  Cover is still in the shrink.  There is some light dirtwear at the tops and bottoms on each side, but it’s strictly confined to the shrink.  You can tell by gently pulling the shrink away from the cover.  Original record store stickers are still affixed to the top front left corner. 

Breathe Holes--- There are no breathe holes on either side.  This copy has the end of the shrinkwrap’s roll with the seam in the center of the back cover.

Labels--- NM/NM.  Both labels look like they were printed up this afternoon.  Smooth to the touch.  NO SPINDLE MARKS.

Capitol Inner Sleeve--- VG. Another minor difference is that whereas the 1988 “Manufactured by…” inner sleeves were thin plastic sleeves with squared-off bottoms, this thin plastic sleeve has a rounded bottom.  NO SEAM SPLITS.

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

RIAA: N/A

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.

Money back guarantee if you're not happy with your purchase.