1966 Batman Penguin TV Show Rare 45 & Photo Pic Sleeve

$

475

Here is another item from the Craig Warren vintage Batman collection. Featured in a recent Scoop spotlight article, the entire collection is going up for auction (only), here and also in conjunction with Hake’s <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Americana over the upcoming weeks/months. There will be an incredible array of items available, all hand selected to be the finest quality extant. There are pieces not found in ANY other collection, right down to the mundane, all in magnificent condition, all guaranteed original and all from the period of 1966 to 1969. The collection is the result of more than two decades of diligent searching and is arguably among the finest such collections in the country. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Thanks to all that made this collection possible and also to all the friends found along the way, but it is now time to end the quest and liquidate. Our descriptions will be briefer than usual, in order to concentrate on bring more items to you faster. However, our high definition pictures will speak much more eloquently than we ever could.

In 1966 there were a multitude of tie-in items issued to capitalize on the wildly popular ABC TV show "Batman" which starred Adam West, Burt Ward, that fabulous George Barris Batmobile and a host of renowned actors as the villain of the week. However, only a scant few pieces of memorabilia featured actual images of the actors from the show, probably due to licensing and royalty issues. Arguably one of the best of these items that DID utilize a photo image is the very rare Burgess Meredith 45 as the Penguin (along with the vintage 1966 Nelson Riddle "Batman Theme" 45 RPM record, 20th Century Fox #626 - be sure to see our other auctions for a terrific example of a variation sleeve for that rarity).

Seldom seen, ABC Records created this wonderful picture sleeve for their release #10798, entitled "The Capture"/"The Escape", a recorded poem told from the viewpoint of Batman's arch-nemesis. This poem story, complete with period background music and female backing singers ("He's the Penguin!"), is narrated in character by none other than Burgess Meredith himself, the Penguin from the TV series. A virtually unknown record, it went nowhere except to obscurity. Nearly all copies we have seen are white label Promotional issues, so if it did reach retail distribution, it was in extremely small quantities. Even the promo copies are just not to be found anymore.

Best of all, the record was issued with this incredible black and white picture sleeve that features a photo image of Meredith in costume, opposite an illustration of the commonly seen Batman and Robin running drawing. Printed on a semi-gloss paperstock, atop the sleeve is a large "Batman" legend, along with the information "An Original Narration by Burgess Meredith as The Penguin." As expected, the item is fully licensed by National Periodical Publications (NPP). With the exact same design on both the front and back, only the top edge belies any difference, for the rear is cut a tad shorter to aid in disc retrieval.

Clearly an original 1966 release and not a scan, reprint or reproduction of any kind, the printed sleeve shows a minimum of compromises. There is some very minor ring soiling and rim impression at the bottom and upper right. We see a few foxing spots and an odd mark just off the left edge. The top mouth edge has some rolling, wrinkling and two short tears. This sleeve's paper is lightly aged, ever more so toward the perimeter. It was likely printed on an off-white or eggshell colored paper stock and is not quite as white as the photos, below, appear. Even on the inside, where ageing doesn't normally present itself, the paper is the same hue as the outside. Actually, the B-side of the sleeve is a bit better in appearance than the front. The 45rpm record has been stored in a separate sleeve outside of this sleeve and thus all seams are intact, if lightly worn. Overall, the sleeve is clearly a solid VG+ or a C8.

That record has superb labels which are unmarked and free of all tears, soil, damage or writing. With the exception of some weird wear only visible on the very last few grooves  that dulls those grooves noticeably (and we have idea why it would be like that on both sides), the disc would otherwise visually grade as VG+. We actually did play grade both sides of this record and it plays without skips or pops all the way through with background noise quite well contained until the last few seconds of the "songs". Therefore, we grade the record as a VG or C7-.

Finding one of these babies in better condition is extraordinarily difficult. In more than 20 years of collecting, we have had but THREE copies of this sleeve and this one displays absolutely superbly, with great contrast and a minimum of wear. A delight to see, this difficult to find release is a must-have for picture sleeve, Batman, character or TV collectors alike. Because of its extreme rarity, we must place a reserve on this item, especially in light of its outstanding overall condition. Please do not ask us to close the auction early, sell the item outright or reveal our Reserve, as these are requests we cannot accommodate, for the protection of our Consignor. 

Please note that we will be away and unable to ship any parcels or send any Invoices from Thursday, April 3, 2008 until Tuesday, April 8, 2008. Sorry for any inconveniences, but another trip out of state calls us. We will be back to normal beginning on April 9th once again.

Before making payment, PLEASE WAIT FOR OUR INVOICE, NOT eBay's Win Notice. We normally email Invoices directly to you the day following the close of the auction! We do NOT use eBay's Invoicing system. If after three days you do not see an Invoice from us, it was probably blocked by your ISP's anti-spam techniques (especially if you use AOL or one of the free e-mail services). Email us and we will send a duplicate through a different account. We have experienced a great difficulty with Invoice delivery recently and have no way of verifying whether Invoices have been received or not. It is YOUR responsibility to contact us if no Invoice is received!

For estimation purposes only, when packaged this item will weigh approximately 1#, although actual shipping costs will be Invoiced upon the auction's close. But, to get a shipping cost estimate, even for a foreign destination, click here and enter the pertinent information. Shipping point is Zip 06460. Estimated weight is stated above. Preferred service class is Priority Mail within the US and usually International Priority Mail if abroad, for small parcels.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND TERMS– PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS!

All images, copy and content are © 2008 On-Line Consignment Resources Center, LLC., the OCR Center. All items sold as-is, without warrantee given or implied as to fitness for any purpose. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, as we want truly satisfied customers. We give the highest levels of service for buyers as well as our consignors. Know what you are bidding on. Be sure to check our other auctions! Any item is available for preview or pickup at our store location right off I95. The OCR Center is your center for consignments and collectibles. Visit us for the best in quality collectibles, but its best to call first at 203.882.8494. Like what you see here? Contact us to consign your best items and see how easy we can make it for you, too. We also always buy quality collectibles and memorabilia.

Legal Dept: A bid is a binding legal contract for the intent to purchase an item. Please do not bid if you will not or cannot complete the purchase of any item you might win. Negative feedback and eBay notification will result from non-payment of a winning bid. Bidders with less than a five (5) positive feedback rating should contact us prior to logging in a bid. We reserve the right to cancel or refuse any bids we feel are not made with good intent. Shipments made to NJ are subject to that state's 7% Sales Tax and CT sales or deliveries are subject to 6% CT Sales Tax, payable by the Buyer.

Condition: Condition is rated on a scale of C1 to C10, with C10 being a flawless, perfect condition. Our grading is inherently very conservative. We are collectors ourselves and grade accordingly.

Payment: Payment is expected within 10 (ten) days of notification by OUR initial email. We do not use the eBay checkout system - ignore all checkout procedures other than our email. Please wait for our Invoice before contacting us or remitting any payments. We Invoice the day after the auctions close, but some customers, especially AOL users have been experiencing difficulty in receiving our emailed Invoices. Postal or Bank Money Orders or Certified Checks (not a Teller’s or Bank check) preferred. Personal, business or non-Certified checks are accepted but can take up to three weeks to clear before shipment of item. We accept credit card payments only through PayPal for US bidders only. Non-US buyers must pay only by US$ Cash sent registered, Money Order Payable in US$ or PayPal (only when NOT funded by a Credit Card).

Shipping: Actual freight and mandatory insurance costs are the responsibility of the purchaser. No item over $15 in value is sent without full insurance, for our mutual protection. Most all parcels are sent by US Priority Mail service, which allows us to utilize USPS provided materials at no cost and pass these savings along to our customers. We do not bill any other shipping or handling charges except the actual shipping expenses if sent by Priority Mail. Parcels too large or bulky for Priority will be sent by either UPS, Airborne or FedEx and may incur additional packaging costs which will ALWAYS be stated in the ad description. Foreign orders will incur significantly higher postage and are sent WITHOUT insurance (your risk!). All foreign parcels will be declared as "Merchandise" on the Customs tag, declared for the purchase amount.

Returns: Please be mindful that many of our items are consignment pieces from various sources. We take great pains to describe all of our items in explicit detail. For these reasons, all sales are final and returns are granted only in cases of our gross misrepresentation! Any claims for return must be made within seven (7) days of receipt. No refunds given for incoming or outgoing freight costs.