BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN -CBS SPECIAL PRODUCTS label 2-LP The River -Columbia

$

175

The River 2-LP - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (Columbia  ) 

Original 1980 U.S. stereo 2-LP set. Odd, undocumented SPRINGSTEEN vinyl artifact here. For reasons totally unknown, this is 'The River' w/ CBS Special Products labels. Besides the unique labels, the dead wax matrix #s seem to be specific to this pressing also. I compared it to other Columbia stock label pressings, here is the matrix info on this press: Disc 1, side 1 - AL 36855-1AB; side 2 - BL 36855-1AA // Disc 2, side 3 - AL 36856-1AB; side 4 - BL 36856-1AA. In addition, the regular Columbia version has MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped/engraved in the dead wax. That is NOT found on this pressing - instead there is what appears to be the initials Emw in cursive scrawled into the wax. And, if that ain't weird enough, get this: this album cover is THINNER than the common version - 1/8" thick, compared to 1/4" thick on the Columbia label version. Everything else is identical - the thick, slick inner sleeves, the lyric sheet, & of course the music itself. Why this pressing? One of mankind's most urgent unsolved mysteries... okay, a slight bit of exaggeration there. Nevertheless, this is an oddball rarity of the BRUCE vinyl world; the first copy surfaced a couple of years back & now around 15-20 more have been reported. Which is still a very small quantity, considering the millions of copies that were pressed. Vinyl on this one is SPECTACULAR - looks/sounds UNPLAYED! 

Discs = NEAR MINT- to NEAR MINT (PLAYS PERFECTLY - probably has been spun once or twice, tops)

Cover =  see pix; small crunch in all corners; slight wear along front right edge, including tiny horizontal crack & 2 thin vertical cracks next to edge; lite thin vertical crack from back top edge near left corner; slight wear on top & bottom edges; some wear on spine edge & in spine corners; any questions?, please ask

Labels = see pix; one faint spindle mark around center holes

Insert/Inner Sleeves = A-1

Long-time vinyl fiend here. Grading is very strict & satisfaction is guaranteed, bid/buy with confidence. All non-sealed vinyl has been cleaned, all records are graded both aurally and visually. I use NEAR MINT- to NEAR MINT (my highest grade)/EX/VG, w/ +/- variables. Yes, I combine shipping. No excessive shipping or 'handling' charges - buyer will pay approximately what the USPS charges me for shipping, give or take a bit. If I overcharge you excessively for shipping, you will be reimbursed the overage.