CBS Special Products lbl BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN The River 2-LP -original - 4th known?

$

400

The River 2-LP - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (CBS Special Products PC2 36854) 

Original 1980 U.S. stereo 2-LP set. Okay, BRUCE fans/collectors, time to get excited - here's what is now the 4th known copy in existence (to the best of my knowledge) of this strange SPRINGSTEEN vinyl artifact. For reasons totally unknown & not documented anywhere that I've been able to find, 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 only compared it to 2 other Columbia stock label pressings, so that may not be a representative sample. If anyone wants to check w/ their regular copies, here is the matrix info on this pressing: 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, available to the discerning collector who can proudly display it to his/hers unknowing fellow B.S. fans. (And following my ramble here will be links to 2 of the other copies of this, both sold by the same seller, how odd.) Vinyl in ACE condition & cover pretty sweet also. What are you waiting for, SPRINGSTEEN junkies? (Due to the scarcity of this sucker, there is a reserve amount in place.)

http:///details/111006215640/Bruce_Springsteen_CBS_Special_Products_labelssticker_on_shrink_wrap_The_River

http:///details/121085587653/Bruce_Springsteen_CBS_Special_Products_labels__The_River

Discs = EX+ (plays GREAT)

Cover = front - very slight ring/general wear, lite wear in all corners, small lite scuff mark along bottom edge near right corner, very slight wear along right edge / back - very very slight ring wear (near invisible), lite wear in all corners, small lite crunch in lower right corner, tiny very faint stain in lower left corner (near invisible), slight wear along right spine edge / a little wear on top & bottom edges, some spine edge wear

Labels = a couple faint spindle marks on sides 1, 2 & 4, w/ NO spindle marks to be found on side 3 (unplayed side?)

Inner sleeves/Lyric insert = A-OK

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.