Captain Beefheart SIGNED LP Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) 1978 PROMO MINT

$

50

Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band SIGNED LP Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) from 1978. Not only is this in near mint condition (the record looks like it's never been played), it's a promotional copy, and it's AUTOGRAPHED by the Captain himself, Don Van Vliet (b. 1/15/1941, d. 12/17/2010).

I found this in a record store in San Francisco 15 years ago in the used bin. I wasn't sure if it really was Van Vliet's autograph but the way it was scrawled on the cover in ink and the fact that it read "To Julia & Jim love Don" clued me in. Eventually I did more research and found an authenticated, signed version of the Shiny Beast art on the internet and the signature is nearly identical (I've included the picture I found as proof...it's the last one).

According to Goldmine standards this record rates a:
Near Mint (NM or M-)  A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect.

The record should show no obvious signs of wear.

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like.

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.

The jacket (1st & 2nd photos) and inner sleeve (3rd photo) are both easily NM.
The only flaws are:
-2 very minor dings on one edge of the jacket (the largest one is 1/4". See the 4th picture).
-the corner of the inner sleeve has an insignificant corner bend/pinch (less than 1/4").
-some odd discoloring along the open edge for only about 2" (it's so minor I didn't bother including a picture).

I am notoriously nitpicky in my grading. I want the buyer to know exactly what they're bidding on. Aside from these very minor flaws the record is in really great shape.

Shipped with care in a sturdy record box. I've had some unfortunate incidents with LPs and MEDIA MAIL so I ship PRIORITY instead.

Own this one-of-a-kind piece of avant/dada/psychedelic rock signed by the one of the most original recording artists of his time.
Good luck!!