THE FIVE KEYS ON STAGE ULTRA-RARE ORIG '58 BLACK LABEL PROMO LP UNCENSORED COVER

$

76

eBay item 307194214 (Ends Apr-22-00 11:34:03 PDT) - FIVE KEYS~ON STAGE~RARE 'UNCENSORED' COVER!!!

WE CURRENTLY HAVE  NEARLY 200 LISTED ITEMS

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·       THE FIVE KEYS – FIVE KEYS ON STAGE - ORIGINAL 1957 CAPITOL RECORDS MONO RECORD T-828

·       ORIGINAL U.S. PRESSING

·       RARE ORIGINAL “PHALLU$” (SIC) COVER (RUDY WEST'S PROTRUDING THUMB MAKES IT LOOK LIKE HIS WEENIE IS STICKING OUT OF HIS FLY; THE OFFENDING MEMBER IS PARTIALLY COVERED BY THE PROMO STICKER)

·       *** BLACK LABEL PROMO ***

·       *** IN ADDITION, THE PROMOTIONAL STICKER ON THE COVER CLEARLY IDENTIFIES THE ITEM AS PROMOTIONAL ***

·       ORIGINAL CAPITOL *BLACK LABEL PROMO* PRESSING; PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROMO-ONLY LABEL SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED FOR AN EARLIER CAPITOL STOCK LABEL (DARK GRAY WITH SILVER PRINT); THE BLACK LABEL WAS USED STRICTLY FOR PROMOTIONAL RELEASES AND HAS A DISTINCT PROMO INSCRIPTION ALONG THE EDGE OF THE LABEL; STOCK (COMMERCIALLY RELEASED) COPIES OF THIS ALBUM WERE PRESSED ON CAPITOL'S TURQUOISE (AQUA-BLUE) LABELS

·       CAPITOL RECORDS, HOLLYWOOD (LOS ANGELES), CA PRESSING

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

·       ORIGINAL, THICK CARDBOARD COVER (AMERICAN STYLE)

·       THICK, HEAVY VINYL PRESSING

·       MACHINE-STAMPED MATRIX NUMBER IN TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) OF THE RECORD

·       MATRIX NUMBER IN TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) ENDS WITH '-D1/D1'.  ON SOME LABELS,  SUFFIX '–1' DENOTES THE VERY FIRST, ORIGINAL PRESSING)

·       As far as we know, this album has NEVER been available on legitimate Compact Disc or in any other way, manner or format.

(?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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This is the band that - for all practical purposes - invented modern doo-wop and vocal harmony group singing: The Five Keys' first album –(on Aladin label) - is one of the rarest and most coveted albums in history, and the subsequent albums (one on Score, two on King and two on Capitol label, this one included) are also very, very hard to get. What is very interesting is the cover here: This is the infamous first version of the cover on which Rudy West's extended right hand creates an optical illusion, appearing as a phallus sticking out of his fly. The cover created massive embarrassment and commotion at Capitol (and elsewhere) when it was first appeared, and it was promptly withdrawn and replaced with the "offending member" airbrushed (all subsequent versions have been "neutered"). But the point here is music: a glorious, jubilant, and heavenly group vocal harmony like they do not make anymore. Consider this album worthy for its music alone - with the cover being an added curiosity. Very rare version of the very rare album in a very nice condition (see the image of the cover shown below, with the "detail" in question circled in red).  Grab the Five Keys by the (ahem) key handle, or spend a few more years searching for another copy as beautiful…

The PROMOTIONAL, RADIO STATION-, AUDITION OR DEMONSTRATION COPIES AND RELEASES (such as the one we have here) were often distributed among the radio stations before the record was released to the public, sometimes as much as four months ahead. These records are generally considered to be the "first among equals", which is to say the VERY FIRST generation and the VERY FIRST pressings of the particular title; a PROTOTYPE and the earliest known official pressing of the record.

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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 EXCELLENT. This is one of those albums that are somewhat difficult to grade. It is somewhere between VG++ and NEAR MINT, just a notch below NEAR MINT. A few light abrasions ARE visible, but they are extremely shallow, superficial  and only moderately visually distracting (nothing significant).For the most part, the vinyl looks impeccable without any MAJOR visual flaws or imperfections. Much of the original luster is intact, and the vinyl shines and sparkles almost like new.

(b)          The record comes in the original stock inner sleeve.

(c)           The record is pressed on a beautiful, thick, inflexible vinyl, which was usually used for the first or very early pressings. Usually, the sound on such thick vinyl pressings is full-bodied, vivid, and even dramatic. Do not expect to obtain such a majestic analog sound from a digital recording!

(d)          Stereo copies of this album are NOT known to exist.

(e)           Black label promo version of this title is much rarer that a regular, commercially released, version of this title. We estimate that stock copies of this album outnumber promo copies by a ratio of at least 50:1.

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

·                   THE COVER

THE COVER IS ABOUT VERY GOOD+(+)

The following flaws or imperfections are noted on the cover:

-        A visible water stain (VISIBLE ON BACK SIDE ONLY) affects about 1/4 of the back panel along the bottom seam; there is no structural damage to the cover, and both cardboard base and paper slick are (mostly) intact, however, the stain is visible and has caused some erosion in the firmness of the cover ,  visible yellowish discoloration, a minor surface abrasion of the paper slick (less  than 1 square inch), tiny spots with remnants of another cover's paper slick stuck to the cover and a slight warp in the affected area.

-        Cover has a visible "wrinkle"(crease)  in one of the corners.

-        Cover has a partially split top seam (between 4 and 6 inches  / 10 to 15 centimeters); This split seam was delicately taped by the previous owner with a piece of transparent scotch tape

-        Cover has some light ring wear (nothing significant); On the scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least, and  10 being the most severe), we assess the severity of ring wear as 4

-        Cover shows some light yellowing on both sides, apparently from aging.

-        Visible shelf wear noted on the seams

-        Minor shelf wear noted on the opening side (nothing significant)

-        Cover has a few tiny wrinkles along the spine  (nothing significant)

NO OTHER VISIBLE FLAWS OR IMPERFECTIONS ON THE  COVER

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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 (BUT DO NOT INSIST) that you select USPS International Priority Mail OR International Express mail when making a payment.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE rates vary from one region of  the world to another. 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; 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

FINE (BUT IMPORTANT!) PRINT

(1) The year indicated in the title bar is the year of the original release,  NOT necessarily the year of the actual pressing; for the actual generation of the pressing, please see our item description (top section, text in red letters). (2) Please do NOT bid based on the title bar, subtitle bar or item specifics box alone; instead, please read the entire description and grading before bidding; (3) Absolutely NO order cancellations after the auction closes. ever, under any circumstances. We can ONLY cancel bids before the item closes. (4) We are unable to cancel bids in the final 12 hours of the auction; if you need to do so, please contact eBay for help (5) We are unable to provide matrix-, stamper- or other pressing  information in the final 24 hours of the auction. If you require this information, please contact us well before the final day of the auction. (6) Yes, we DO combine shipments. Please click on "Shipping and Payment" tab on top of the auction page for additional details. (7)  All Paypal payments must be made from confirmed Paypal shipping addresses. NO third party shipping addresses will be honored (8) Absolutely NO partial refunds: if you are unhappy with the merchandise you received, please return it for a full refund, postage included (9). Civilized people can disagree without accusing each other of being indecent or dishonest; if you need proof of this seller's personal integrity, please check our eBay feedback, which speaks for itself  (10) All disagreements and miscommunications can be - and will only be - solved in a civil and mutually respectful manner;  please avoid puerile, offensive, abrasive or menacing language (attempted humor is fine and usually appreciated, although overused-to-death sarcasms can be really, really tedious. (11) This seller will accommodate all reasonable requests and is generally a flexible and agreeable person (12) Our love & appreciation for your trust, loyalty and business, always and forever; Thank You & Good Night!

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