Rush Hemispheres 1978 Sealed PROMO Mercury SRM-1-3743 Hype 1st Press NM/NM

$

400

Rush – Hemispheres (Mercury SRM-1-3743, 1978)

Factory-Sealed Authentic Promotional Copy – First Pressing with Original Hype Sticker

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🔥 Item Overview:

This is an authentic, factory-sealed 1978 Mercury Records promotional pressing of Rush – Hemispheres, complete with the original blue “Contains 4-Color Poster!” hype sticker, first-run Mercury spine printing, and a factory-drilled promo hole in the lower-left front corner.

Unlike remaindered “cut-outs,” this promo drill was applied before the album was sealed, making it a true factory promo copy issued as part of Mercury’s initial radio and retail promotional batch in October 1978.

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🧾 Authenticity Details & Evidence:

   •   Catalog: SRM-1-3743 (U.S. Mercury / Aucoin Management, 1978)

   •   Spine: Wide serif-font layout – “SRM-1-3743 • RUSH • HEMISPHERES • MERCURY” — confirms first printing run only.

   •   Shrinkwrap: Tight, original late-’70s Mercury seam-weld wrap, fully intact with no re-sealing or shrink splits.

   •   Hype Sticker: Blue rectangular “CONTAINS 4 COLOR POSTER” — used only on first-issue jackets.

   •   Drill Hole: Small (approx. ¼”) clean-cut hole located bottom-left front corner, with factory shrink melted around the opening — proving the hole was drilled prior to sealing.

   •   Hole Placement: Mercury’s lower-front promo drill zone, not a remainder cut (later 1980s cutouts were large oblong holes or saw-cuts through the spine or barcode).

   •   Promo Distribution Context: Mercury and PolyGram Records drilled and sealed this configuration for station and distributor promo circulation; hole-punches were applied at the pressing plant or warehouse before shrink-wrapping.

   •   Condition: Factory sealed for 47 years. Tight shrink, clean corners, vibrant color, and sharp spine text.

   •   Poster Inside: Guaranteed inside per the original hype sticker (sealed example).

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🎯 Why This Copy Is Important:

This is not a retail remainder — it’s an authentic first-press promotional copy from the same batch sent to FM radio stations and top retail buyers in late 1978.

The hole placement, shrink behavior, spine typography, and hype sticker all align with Mercury’s early promo-batch identifiers.

Because most of these were opened immediately for airplay, sealed survivors are exceptionally rare.

This copy checks every box:

✅ Factory sealed

✅ Original first-run hype sticker

✅ Early serif-font spine

✅ Lower-left factory drill (promo placement)

✅ Untouched for nearly 50 years

Description:

Rush – Hemispheres

Mercury Records, SRM-1-3743 (1978)

Original U.S. pressing – FACTORY SEALED

✅ Still sealed in original shrink

✅ Original blue hype sticker: “Contains 4 Color Poster!”

✅ Punch hole cut-out in corner (common for overstock)

✅ Crisp spine, clean shrink, sharp corners – excellent collector example

This is an original 1978 sealed copy of Hemispheres by Rush. The blue “Contains 4 Color Poster” hype sticker is intact under the shrink, making this one of the most desirable versions for collectors. Jacket shows factory punch hole cut in corner, but otherwise remains in outstanding condition.

Since it is factory sealed, the vinyl and poster inside are presumed mint/unplayed.

(Note: I cannot guarantee pressing variation, label style, or poster condition without opening, but this is the first U.S. Mercury issue.)