BLONDIE PLASTIC LETTERS ULTRA-RARE ORIG '78 TEST PRESSING LP w/BILLY BASS NOTE

$

208

WE CURRENTLY HAVE  NEARLY 400  LISTED ITEMS

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·       BLONDIE – PLASTIC LETTERS – ORIGINAL 1978 CHRYSALIS RECORDS STEREO LP CHR-1166

·       ORIGINAL U.S. PRESSING

·       ULTRA-RARE TEST PRESSING

·       INCLUDES ORIGINAL TYPEWRITTEN DATA SHEET (MISDATING THE RELEASE DATE AS FEBRUARY 1977; IN FACT, THE ALBUM WAS RELEASED IN EARLY 1978) WITH A TENTATIVE TRACK LISTING,  PROPOSED TITLE, ARTIST- AND PRODUCER CREDITS, WITH A HANDWRITTEN NOTE ON THE BACK PANEL SIGNED BY BILLY BASS, THE MANAGER OF CHRYSALIS RECORDS' MARKETING DEPARTMENT,

·       PLAIN, WHITE, GENERIC COLUMBIA, SANTA MARIA, CA TEST PRESSING LABEL

·       THIS IS THE ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC, FIRST U.S. PRESSING; THIS IS NOT A REISSUE, AN IMPORT, OR A COUNTERFEIT PRESSING.

·       CLEAN, WEAR-FREE LABELS

·       THIS TEST PRESSING COMES IN ITS GENERIC, PLAIN, WHITE TEST PRESSING COVER

·       MATRIX NUMBER IN TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) ENDS WITH '-1B/-1C'.  ON SOME LABELS,  SUFFIX '–1' DENOTES THE VERY FIRST, ORIGINAL PRESSING)

·       THE RECORD HAS A 'STERLING' STAMP IN THE TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) AREA, WHICH IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED A PROOF OF AUTHENTICITY OF THE FIRST PRESSING.

·       PLEASE NOTE: THE MATRIX NUMBER IN THE TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) OF THE RECORD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ORIGINAL, FIRST, 1978 PRESSING OF THIS ALBUM (WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY REISSUES)

(►PLEASE SEE THE IMAGE OF THE COVER, LABEL OR BOTH, SHOWN BELOW)

(Note: this is a REAL image of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. This is NOT a "recycled" image from our previous auction. What you see is what you'll get.  GUARANTEED!)

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Amazing !!! An unbelievable piece: What we have here is an unheard-of TEST PRESSING of this classic Blondie punk-pop BREAKTHROUGH! While many test pressings often have alternate or demo- versions of known, later released songs, and while it is possible that this particular test pressing contains demo or alternate versions of some of the tracks, please don’t take our word that it does: unfortunately, we are not familiar with the entire album (we know only a few songs) and we regret  we cannot provide any competent information on how different this TEST PRESSING may be from the official release. Please contact us if you have any questions. The generic Columbia, Santa Maria, CA white test pressing label is (almost) entirely blank and without any details whatsoever, except for the legal and technical disclosure and side designation (side A/B)

The album comes with the neatly typewritten album data sheet (torn but mostly complete) which contains all the details of the test pressing, including artist name, producer name, song titles, timings, assigned catalog number, scheduled date of release, list of revisions made thus far, performer credits, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS TEST PRESSING APPARENTLY NEVER HAD A CUSTOM COVER;  THE ALBUM WILL BE SHIPPED IN A PLAIN, GENERIC [WHITE] CARDBOARD COVER. TEST PRESSINGS ARE RARELY – IF EVER – FOUND IN CUSTOM (STOCK) COVERS.

***

Less than a year after their quirky self-titled 1976 debut, Blondie returned with the stronger, punkier `Plastic Letters', complete with their pop trash culture influences solidly intact. Again produced by 60s pop composer Richard Gottehrer, the songs on this second album have more drive, more attitude and, with the general increase in song-writing sophistication of everyone involved, must have indicated that the band were likely to deliver even better things.

With singer Deborah Harry credited far less in the song-writing on this effort, the prowess of the other band members becomes much more evident. Keyboardist Jimmy Destri's predilection for mod- infused new wave pop-rock was becoming increasingly clear with some absolute gems among his six contributions on the 13 tracks. `Fan Mail', `Contact in Red Square', `No Imagination', `Kidnapper' and the awesome rocker `Detroit 442' (with Chris Stein) all serve to anchor the harder, faster approach on this release. Stein's six are slightly less consistent, but `Youth Nabbed by Sniper' is a perfect companion piece to Destri's style while the awesome, giddy, acid-rock infused semi ballad, `Bermuda Triangle Blues', about a mysterious plane disappearance in said zone, is the album's super nova moment. Bassist Gary Valentine's `(I'm Always) Touched By Your Presence Dear' is also a high point. The rest are all ok, but prove again that Harry probably needed a co-writer.

Destri's keyboards soar into their own on this record while Deborah Harry's trademark sneer and coquettish phrasing become fully formed, stamping her as far more than a pretty lead singer. There is something happening on `Plastic Letters' and, even not knowing what was to come back in 1977, it must have pointed to a band that was not likely to fade away quckly.

 (EXCERPT FROM AN ANONYMOUS ONLINE REVIEW)

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·       CONDITION:

·       RECORD

(IMPORTANT NOTE: unless otherwise noted, ALL records are graded visually, and NOT play-graded!; we  grade records under the strong, diffuse room light or discrete sunlight)

(a)          WE GRADE THE VINYL  AS  NEAR MINT. Some VERY LIGHT AND SUPERFICIAL abrasions – mostly sleeve scuffs -  are (barely) visible, but are probably inaudible,  and do not affect visual integrity or beauty of the vinyl. The original luster is very much intact, and the vinyl shines and sparkles almost like new.

(b)          The album comes with the original typewriten data sheet still attached

(c)             The record is pressed on a RELATIVELY  thick, inflexible vinyl. This is NOT a thin, flimsy ('dynaflex' type),  vinyl, but not the thickest, most rigid vinyl, either.

(d)          Of course, this is a full-bodied ANALOG recording, and not an inferior, digital recording!!!

COVER : This reference pressing comes without any custom jacket, and will be shipped in its original plain, generic, white cardboard cover with a handwritten title  (NOT GRADED SEPARATELY)

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POSTAGE & SHIPPING:

We offer THREE postage rates for both Domestic and International Mail: Media Mail, Priority Mail and Express Mail for domestic, and First Class, Priority International Mail, and Express International Mail for international orders. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: WE RECOMMEND that you pay for USPS International Priority Mail OR International Express mail when making a payment in order to obtain tracking information, which is NOT available for First Class International shipments.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE rates vary from country to country. For SPECIFIC international and domestic postage rates ►click here. While you can be rest assured that ►our packaging is careful, sturdy and impact-proof, please note that damage, loss or theft in transit is always possible, and in the case of some countries even PROBABLE. To discuss this potential problem and ensure flawless delivery, please contact us thru eBay BEFORE placing a bid.

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OUR REFUND POLICY :

WE OFFER UNCONDITIONAL MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE MERCHANDISE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED (THE BUYER PAYS FOR THE RETURN POSTAGE); Still sealed items MUST be returned sealed in order to be eligible for a refund Some restrictions apply. Please read our complete refund policy before placing a bid. ►Click here  for the full text of our policy

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