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    Just one of inkFrog's Creations

Description

ARETHA FRANKLIN

ARETHA NOW

1968 US PROMO ONLY MONO

SUPER THICK VINYL

WHITE LABEL PROMO

ATLANTIC

8186

• RARE ORIGINAL SUPER THICK VINYL MONO 1968 US ABSOLUTE 1ST PRESSING on the white "promo" ATLANTIC label (see photo). This LP is a contender for Aretha's best LP for Atlantic with three mega hits "Think" Say a Little Prayer" and See Saw". Stock MONO copies are not known to exist.
• It is extremely rare to find in MONO on the US 1st press SAMPLE COPY white promo label. Radio Station DJ pressings are the 1st presses from the stampers and are usually pressed on superior thick non-flexible vinyl made to withstand the heavier use from radio play. There may have only been a few hundred or so of these MONO pressings made in 1968 for AM radio and they sound far superior to any other pressings. The MONO punch is incredible and blows away the common stereo copies. How many still exist is anyone's guess. MONO Promotional copies of this one almost never come up.
• The only complaint is that this LP is not long enough, being a bit short on running time at ten songs. This album catches Aretha Franklin at the peak of her early form. "Think," "I Say a Little Prayer," "See Saw," and "I Can't See Myself Leaving You" were all big hits. Her choice of cover material includes some of her most R&B-drenched early Atlantic cuts, like "Night Time Is the Right Time," "You Send Me," and "I Take What I Want." (AMG)
• The beautiful MONO promo LP is pressed on SUPER THICK non flexible ATLANTIC vinyl and comes protected in the original ATLANTIC custom paper inner sleeve (see photos).
• The MONO ORIGINAL ANALOG mixes are full bodied with incredible fidelity and are much more desirable than any STEREO or later pressings.
• This BEAUTIFUL ATLANTIC US ORIGINAL early high gloss cover is pressed on THICK AMERICAN STYLE cardboard stock with a pasted on back paper slick (See Photo). This copy like many late mono Atlantic LP's, came in a stock stereo cover even though it is a promo mono press.
• Do not be fooled by inferior digital re-mastering, re-mixes or compilation CD's. This is an original MONO ANALOG recording; the real thing.

Aretha Franklin is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged. Her astonishing run of late'60s hits with Atlantic Records "Respect," "I Never Loved a Man," "Chain of Fools," "Baby I Love You," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "The House That Jack Built," and several others; earned her the title "Lady Soul," which she has worn uncontested ever since. (AMG)

This LP has an incredible track line up and does not come up as a MONO white label demonstration copy in this condition (see photo). Good luck finding another! I'll let the market decide what this one is worth. Please bid accordingly. Please see the other R & B LP's I have up for Auction.

Record Condition: Side 1 & 2: Very Good++/Very Good+ ...the super thick non flexible vinyl has full LIKE NEW gloss with a few very light sleeve slide scuffs/scratches. The beautiful near mint ATLANTIC labels are clean and white with no tears, stickers, stains or writing and have NO wear around the spindle holes (See photos). CD's and later vinyl pressings can't even come close to the incredible MONO fidelity of this ORIGINAL ATLANTIC LP. I played this promo copy while listing and it plays great with clear vocals, crisp highs and all the punch the promo MONO press is known for. Although this is generally a loud album, there is a little background noise audible in the quiet parts on side one. Side two plays silently.

Cover/Jacket Condition: Very Good+ ...the high gloss colorful front cover has very light ring wear in the sheen (see photos). The glossy back cover is also clean with only very light wear (see photo). The seams are intact with wear mainly at the corners (see photo). The spine is intact and lettering sharp (see photo). No cut corners, drill holes, indents, writing, saw marks, razor marks, mildew or mold spots, tears, stickers, stamps, warping, bar codes, or peel off marks.

Thanks for looking!!!

WHY BID ON THIS ITEM?

HERE'S WHY!

ALL MY LISTINGS INCLUDE:

Vinyl Grading Policy:

• All records and jackets are visually graded unless noted otherwise. CAUTION: Please be aware that the play grade may differ from the visual grade. If you want me to play a particular song and give you an assessment of background noise, etc. Please email me. We all have records that look worn but play great and vice versa. It is not possible to play as well as visually grade each LP listed. I TRY TO GRADE CONSERVATIVELY under the guidelines on this page, which generally follow the GOLDMINE standards. Although I try to be conscientious as a grader, there is the possibility that something could slip by me. In the event an item is not as described, REST ASSURED I will always offer a money back guarantee for purchase price of the item if returned safe and secure and requested within five days of receipt.
• Mint = A mint item must be absolutely perfect. Certainly never been played if not still sealed. This would be an item where it was opened but not played maybe just to check the label variation.
• Near Mint = The record shows no obvious signs of wear. The vinyl should show no wear from playing only the slightest of paper scuffs are acceptable. The jacket should look as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap.
• Near Mint-/Very Good++ = The record or cover is clearly better than VG+ but not Near Mint. There should be some signs that the vinyl was played infrequently and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took excellent care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have light scuffs and or very minor light scratches that do not affect the listening experience at all. The label and spindle hole will be without flaws other than the lightest of spindle trails from being played only a few times if at all. The cover should be bright and sharp and will have only the very first evidence of discoloration or ring wear or creased corners. Although there may be some evidence of seam/spine wear, seam splits are not permitted for this grade. The jacket may be marked as a cut out by a drill hole, saw mark, cut corner or punch hole. I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good+ = This is equivalent of the VG+ grade in Goldmine. The record will show signs that the vinyl was played but taken care of. Record surfaces will show signs of wear including some light scratches/scuffs that do not significantly affect the listener experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Spindle holes will have some wear but not be enlarged or damaged in any way. The cover will have general wear/ring wear but not to the extent that it materially impairs enjoyment of the picture cover. Slight seam splits are OK for this grade. Again I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good = Unless it is a rare collectible, I usually will not sell records where both the cover and vinyl are below a VG+ grade PERIOD. This grade is included since some times there may be either a cover or record that the flaws in VG+ grade above are more pronounced but the other part of the package is of a higher grade. If it is the vinyl I will play grade it to be sure that the listener can still enjoy the music.
• BID WITH CONFIDENCE! All items are FULLY GUARANTEED. If requested within five days of receipt, I will refund your full purchase price (excluding refund of shipping costs) upon return of the item if you are not satisfied, period. If you want protection related to lost or damaged shipments you must insure your winnings. I pack all records removed from the jacket, sandwiched between corrugated cardboard before insertion into the mailer box. Many times I will also use bubble wrap or a box inside a box packing method to further protect your item.
• I do not grade inner sleeves but will let you know if there are any inserts, posters, stickers or other items included with the RECORD or TAPE.
• Items that do not sell are usually not re-listed. Please contact me if interested and provide sufficient information to identify the item.

Payment and Shipping

Payment & Shipping Terms:

• All payments in US dollars only, Money orders, Cashiers Checks, Bank Checks, I NOW ACCEPT PAYPAL TOO. According to ebay policy, I can no longer accept cash by mail as a form of payment even if the buyer is using registered mail and is willing to accept the risk of loss. All non personal check acceptable payment methods get shipping within 1 business day of receipt. I TAKE PRIDE IN OUTSTANDING COMMUNICATION AND ULTRA FAST LOW COST SHIPPING (Please check my feedback). Personal checks are accepted if drawn on a US bank and buyer is willing to wait for me to ship until your check clears. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding acceptable payment methods.
• Winning Bidder must contact me in 3 days (72 hours) from receipt of my auction closing notification email to arrange payment and mailing.
• I follow the ebay non payment rules so if you have not made payment do not be surprised if you get a eBay non paying bidder notice after 10 days. I agressively work to get my final value ebay fees back if the item is not paid for within the auction terms.
• IF YOU CANNOT PAY WITHIN THE DESIGNATED TIME FRAMES PLEASE DO NOT BID!
• All winners will receive the following: Winning confirmation (within 1 day after auction end), Payment confirmation (upon its arrival), and shipping confirmation (upon its departure).



• I make best efforts to ship within 24 hours of receiving cleared payment. THOSE THAT PAY PROMPTLY AFTER AUCTION END GET EVEN FASTER SHIPPING TURNAROUND. Shipping is actual postage cost (plus $2.00 for proper packaging materials) for either priority or media mail including delivery confirmation within the United States. Insurance is optional at the buyer discretion.
• International shipping is for PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL with tracking. Shipping costs are calculated based upon actual postage (plus $2 for bubble wrap, a box and proper packing materials) to keep weight and postage costs as low as possible while properly protecting your item.
• I only ship priority airmail for international destinations and will require registered mail or global express for high dollar international shipments. I will ship FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL mail to save $$$ for low value items based upon the buyers feedback record if the buyer expressly accepts any risk of non delivery or loss as there is no shipment tracking or delivery confirm with that method. Please inquire before bidding if that is the shipping mode you desire.
• Save on shipping cost per record when I mail two or more records in one package. I do consolidate international and domestic shipments to help save postage. Please inquire for cost information.
• I DO assume that you have no problem waiting weeks for delivery if you choose DOMESTIC MEDIA MAIL. As we all know, there is no definitive delivery time frame with media mail.