Frank Zappa-Hot Rats NM 1st press Bizarre w/shrinkwrap

$

357

This auction is for the rare 1969 LP "Hot Rats" by Frank Zappa, on Bizarre Records (RS 6356).  It's a blue label original.  This LP is in absolutely superb shape, and appears exactly as it would have if you had purchased it 40 years ago from a store shelf.  It is still covered by its original shrinkwrap.  It appears to have been played on a turntable maybe once or twice since original date of purchase.  This LP is in the best condition that you are ever likely to find, barring some mysterious sealed version that may turn up in some strange alternate reality.  If you don't plan on waiting for this elusive sealed version to materialize, then I almost guarantee that this is the best shape you will ever find this particular LP in.  You could search for years and still never come up with anything even remotely close to this copy.  Just to be clear, this is NOT a re-issue, or cut-out record of any kind.  It is the real 1969 deal.  Original pressing, shrinkwrap, the whole 9 yards.

This album comes from a very special collection.  A collection consisting of tens of thousands of records from the mid-60's onwards, in which the original owner simply didn't have time to listen to any single record more than once or twice.  It seems that his addiction to buying records overshadowed any serious intentions of actually listening to them.  This particular record is a true testament to this theory.  This thing is virtually brand new, and looks to have been played MAYBE a few times.

Here's the Matrix Numbers for those of you who look for that sort of thing (Warning--these matrix numbers mean that this is a first pressing):

Side 1:  RS 6356 A 30926-1
Side 2:  RS 6356 B 30927-1

(See?  It told you this is the one you've been looking for!)
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The Cover:

The album jacket is nearly brand new, for all intents and purposes.  It is still encased in the original shrinkwrap, minus the slit up the side to allow the record to be removed.  I'm serious, this thing almost looks like you bought it yesterday, or even today.   Also, considering that this was immediately put into storage only days after it was taken off of a store shelf, the elements of time haven't had much of a chance to affect the jacket.  This means that no light (natural or other) has been able to do anything to this cover.  No ringwear or any signs of even slight mishandling.  This is how the album would have appeared to you on the shelf of your favorite record store when you were 40 years younger.

The famous front cover features the EXACT same shades of loud pink that it's always had.  The front cover has retained that glossy, shiny "brand-new" look that you just won't be able to find with any second-hand copy.  Honestly, if I didn't know any better, and if someone presented it to me as a brand new item that they purchased before it even had time to sit on the shelf, I wouldn't have many reasons to question them. However, I actually DO know better, which only serves to make this MORE amazing.  I am aware that this record is a 1969 original which appears brand new, thanks to decades of neglect from the original owner (that means neglect in a good way).  He couldn't have forseen ebay 40 years ago, so I'm assuming that he stored it away simply due to lack of interest.  He left this LP in the exact condition that it had been roughly 2 days after he purchased it.  Just placed it in a box and forgot about it.  THAT is the kind of condition you can expect from this album.  Forgotten, Unloved, Un-Listened-to.  And the jacket only tells half of the story.
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The Inner Sleeve:

The original brownish/tannish Bizarre printed paper sleeve holds the record.  And once again, it looks brand new. No tears, wrinkles, spots, scuffs, or anything.  Hey, if the record has only been removed from the sleeve a couple of times, then it's easy to see why it is so perfect.  It has been serving its purpose of keeping dust off the LP for quite some time.  And not only has it been doing a superb job, it is looking great while doing it.
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The Vinyl:

Honestly, like I was telling you, the original owner of this LP just didn't care about it.  I don't mean "didn't care" in the sense that he treated it badly, I'm telling you that after he played it (Once, MAYBE twice), it was considered an afterthought and nestled away in a dark attic never to be seen again...until now.  Over the years its sleeve has scuffed it maybe once or twice.  You may notice this, but it won't affect your playback experience.  If you have EVER had any interest in hearing a seriously amazing vinyl version of this particular record, I think it just got a lot easier for you.  It's here.  I have it.  I'm SELLING it.  I have the one version that people only TALK about, yet no one has ever heard or seen.  Yup, if you had the same thing in mind, but could never quite get your hands on it, you just stumbled on the right auction.  I know you've "heard" this album before, probably on a CD, but you really have to ask yourself a few questions:  "Have I REALLY heard this album the way it was intended to be heard?  On a clean, pristine 12" slab of vinyl, with no scratches?  Does my "remastered" CD really capture Frank Zappa's original vision?  Did he ever envision me listening to this on anything OTHER than vinyl!?"  Well, I'm here to tell you the answer is "NO" to all of those questions.  Sorry, but "NO".

HOWEVER, it's not too late to redeem yourself.  Did I mention that I happen to be selling a NM vinyl version?  If I forgot to mention that, then I'll let you know now.  Yeah, it's right here.  ANYONE in the WORLD can buy it.   It's all depending on how "hungry" your are for it.  This isn't a causal auction for non-hungry people.  This is for a true Zappa-enthusiast.  This is for the Zappa fan who CARES.  The Zappa fan that wants (or NEEDS) to keep this album elite, and doesn't want to see it fall into the wrong hands.  Is this you?  Whether the Ultimate Zappa fan wins this auction, or if my neighbor's 12 year old kid snags it for 20 bucks, it is all relative to me.  However I would much RATHER see someone serious pick this up.  I suppose I'd get some satisfaction if we kept this on "in the family" (of Zappa enthusiasts).  But this is all on YOU, the bidder now.  If you let this one get away, don't go blaming me that this record fell into the wrong hands.  It is up to you, as a SERIOUS fan of Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, to bid on this record IF ONLY to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.  If no one bids, I may be so ashamed with you that I might tell that 12 year old kid that this is a magical flying saucer frisbee that comes in a funny pink case, and that this frisbee is meant to be chewed on by his dog.

Please don't let that scenario happen.  If you successfully bid on and win this record, the world will be a much better place.  You can do whatever you want with this record after you buy it.  Hock it to another collector, listen to it, throw it like a frisbee, put it in your dog's mouth, etc.  Point is, I don't care what you do with it.  I just realize that we BOTH understand it would be much better if  this record found a new home and received the love and attention it deserves.  Nobody wanted to play this record when it came home from the store.  It's been very lonely for a very long time.
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Now That You Have Decided To Win This Record:

So there you have it.  Aside from a couple of those superficial sleeve scuffs you're getting a pretty much brand new record here.  And when you win it, you can do whatever you want with it.  Put it in a frame and hang it on the wall, listen to it, re-sell it, keep it in locked in an attic for 40 MORE years, give it away as a present, put it in the microwave, bury it in your backyard and make a treasure map, etc.  This part is completely up to you, I will simply be glad that it has found a home where it won't just sit there in a box.  What you do with it is your own business.  Thank you for taking the time to assure that this record finds a new suitable home.
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Paypal only please.  Payment must be received within 7 days of auction's end to avoid re-listing.  I am only able to ship on Saturdays and Mondays due to my job, so your item will be shipped accordingly as to when payment is received (i.e. if the auction ends on Sunday you must pay Sunday night or Monday morning or I have to wait until the following Saturday to ship it to you).  Records will be carefully packed in a 12x12 mailer with record kept separate from sleeve to prevent any damage to either.  I offer insurance on U.S. orders, cost depending on final sale price.  Delivery confirmation, signature service or any other special requests are available upon request for applicable amounts.

International shipping will generally be $17 to most areas via First Class International ($5 for Canada).

Full refunds are accepted, and buyer pays for return shipping cost.  Leaving negative feedback will void any returns. While I carefully package every item in a sturdy mailer to prevent any damage, I can not be responsible for any uninsured items.  Contact me for any additional information.  I will try to answer any questions within 24 hours or less.