Johnny Cash • AMERICAN RECORDINGS III – SOLITARY MAN • U.S. 1st press • SEALED

$

116

Johnny Cash

•  American III – Solitary Man  • 

(a.k.a. American Recordings Vol. III, third in the “American Recordings” series)

(please see packaging photos below, your album will be double-boxed for safety)

Original 2000 U.S. first pressing

American Recordings, Catalog Number: C 69691 american [sic]

produced by Rick Rubin

Long out of print — Still Sealed

This is the original U.S. first pressing, issued in the year 2000.  There are many fakes, counterfeits and reissues of this album, just check eBay for a sampling.  The easiest way to quickly identify an ORIGINAL first U.S. pressing is if it has the black “hype” sticker with white print on the front, including the album’s catalog number “69691” followed by “S1” (see close-up photo above).  It’s possible that a few examples escaped the factory without one of these stickers, but I’ve never seen one.

What the album offered here is NOT:

It is NOT the older UK issue, Catalog # 5101 12794-1 (of unknown tape source origin)

It is NOT the older “Europe” issue, Catalog # COL 500986 0 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the older “Europe” issue with interview disc, Catalog # 500 986 0003 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the older UK reissue on Rhino Records from 2006, Catalog # 5101-12794-1 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the older UK reissue on “Music on Vinyl” label from 2006, Catalog # MOVLP 009 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the more recent “Europe” reissue on “Columbia” label from 2009, Catalog # COL 500986 0 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the more recent “Europe” reissue on the “Music on Vinyl” label from 2009, Catalog # MOVLP009 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the MOST recent “Europe” reissue on 180g vinyl by “Music On Vinyl” label, Catalog # MOVLP 009 (unknown tape source)

It is NOT the newer 180g “Back to Vinyl – Classic Cash Album on 180 Gram LP” reissue (tape source unknown, may be the same as the “Music on Vinyl” issue referenced immediately above)

It is NOT any counterfeit colored vinyl issue

It is NOT any import version or reissue made after 2000!

This is the original first U.S. pressing, still sealed, issued in the U.S. in 2000. 

There are other clues to distinguish U.S. original first pressings from any of the reissues, but the one sure way to tell (on an open copy) is by the markings in the deadwax in the run-out groove area near the label — the deadwax always tells the story.  Either it has positively identifiable matrix information, or it doesn’t.

According to the notes on the inner sleeve of my own open original U.S. 1st pressing (not for sale), this album was mastered by Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering in Los Angeles, California.  That is consistent with and verified by the deadwax inscriptions on an original U.S. first pressing, which say: “OASIS DISC MASTERING   AL – 69691  -  1A” on Side One and “OASIS DISC MASTERING   BL  69691  -  1B” on Side Two, all hand inscribed on both sides.    

The shrink-wrap is also unique to every sealed U.S. original I have seen.  The original is very distinctive in that on the back side, there is a wide HORIZONTAL "seam" or overlap in the shrink-wrap across the middle of the back cover, just below center (see last photo above, sorry about the reflection, it was the only angle I could find that would show the “seam” clearly).  Every original 2000 U.S. first press example I have seen with the shrink-wrap intact is like this example, shown in the last photo above.  None of the reissues I have seen have this distinctive feature to the shrink-wrap.

Finally, original U.S. first pressings have the black “hype” sticker on the front shrink-wrap, as this one does.

The album offered here is a sealed ORIGINAL U.S. first pressing, issued in 2000.

Note: I sold another copy of this album on March 13 as part of a deal on a multiple album purchase, you can find it under "Completed Listings" (look for the cover photo with the dark blue background, similar to this listing), or search eBay # 261175623521.  The earlier listing shows more (and better) photos of the shrink-wrap seam across the back.  The photos for this listing are of the actual album you are bidding on, not the album shown in the previous listing.  This is my last sealed copy.

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Cover Condition: (sealed)

(Near Mint) No seam splits, no edge wear, no ring-wear, the shrink-wrap is sealed all the way around, has the original “hype” sticker on the front shrink-wrap, an outstanding example of this 13 year old album, the best collector-quality example I have seen, still in brand new condition. 

Condition:  Record LP

Still sealed, factory new.

It’s Johnny Cash, the 3rd installment of the great “American Recordings” series of albums, an American classic.

Hear this great album at the best it will ever sound — the original, authentic 2000 first U.S. pressing.

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Track Listing:

Side One:

1. I Won’t Back Down

2. Solitary Man

3. That Lucky Old Sun

4. One

5. Nobody

6. I See a Darkness

7. The Mercy Seat 

Side Two: 

1. Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)

2. Field of Diamonds

3. Before My Time

4. Country Trash 

5.  Mary of the Wild Moor

6.  I’m Leavin’ Now

7.  Wayfaring Stranger

The sealed Album will be placed inside an additional new clear poly outer protective album cover, sandwiched between two album-sized cardboard stiffeners which are then carefully taped, lightly squeezing the album between the cardboard stiffener edges, enough to prevent the album from sliding up and down or side to side, to prevent seam splits to the sealed album during transit.  The album is packaged in a record LP mailer box with cardboard stiffeners and sealed.  The record mailer box is then placed inside a larger heavy cardboard (200Lb. Test) shipping box, surrounded by foam peanuts.  Your record album will be packaged safely and insured. (see photos below)

Combined shipping available for multiple purchases to save on shipping costs.

Insurance and Tracking:

Insurance and Tracking with every package.

eBay History of Record LP sales:

Please do check my Seller feedback comments with regard to accurate LP grading, safe packaging and timely shipping.

Feedback:

If there is any problem with your package, please contact me before leaving any feedback, so that I have the opportunity to resolve the issue.  My goal is to have happy customers, positive feedback and repeat business.

Payment and Shipping:

Payment:  per eBay’s new policy, please make payment via PayPal within 2 days.

Shipping and Handling Time: Items normally ship the second day after payment (excluding weekends and holidays) with email notification and tracking info.  Free economy shipping to U.S. addresses.

International Buyers – Shipping Options:

International shipping is by Priority Mail International or Express Mail International (buyer’s choice), shipping cost is automatically calculated by eBay shipping calculator.  I do NOT use the new eBay GSP (Global Shipping Program). 

International Buyers – Customs Fees:

Package must be marked “merchandise” (not gift) and the sale price will be declared on the Customs Form.  Please be aware that your country may charge you Import Duties, Taxes or other Fees at the time of Delivery which are NOT included in the Item price or shipping.  Any such Import charges are the Buyer’s responsibility.  Please check with your country’s Customs Office to determine any additional Fees before bidding.

Packaging Photos:

These are the packaging materials and sequence: