The DOORS Soft Parade TAN LABEL 1st USA PRESS SHRINK N MINT

$

256

This week I'm auctioning a batch of selected LPs. I have done my best to present and describe the albums accurately. I've spent several years doing a deep research dedicated to classic rock records so all the information collected about a particular album is listed below. I'm not going to call any record "megarareprereleaseearliestpossiblematrixnumberstamperscopy" just because it's the record I'm selling at the moment (like some sellers, sadly, do). Below you'll find just pure facts. 

A note for potential buyers: I guarantee shipping next day after payment has been received but I cannot guarantee delivery time. It's December and postal services are working slower than usually so please keep this in mind if you need delivery before Christmas. European buyers may expect delivery within 10-15 days but to other destinations it may take more.

There's a RESERVE PRICE set for this auction which is ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE, if you're serious about buying this item feel free to contact me if you wish to know the reserve amount.

The DOORS original USA first pressing, earliest copy on TAN Elektra label in TOP condition with shrinkwrapped cover

To get the best of any album one should acquire not only the earliest possible pressing but also the ORIGINAL one in terms of the manufacturing country. Any other country pressing is always a compromise and in most cases would never sound equally not to mention the collecting value. In case of the Doors album offered here we have certainly the ORIGINAL USA pressing.

Pressing details.

Record/label

Original early USA copies of "The Soft Parade" are rare by themselves but the copy offered here comes in outstanding condition, details are below.

It was a common practice in the USA to press an album simultaneously at various pressing plants. This makes problem for collectors to identify early pressings as numerous variations of a particular album exist. In this case the situation is quite simple: The Soft Parade album was released at the very moment when the Elektra company was changing their label design: the label color became red after years of using tan/brown/gold labels. As a result the only plant involved in this album's pressing which had the "old" design labels was the pressing plant in Allentown, PA.  A small batch of records was pressed using the "old" labels, subsequent runs used the new, red labels. Other record plants initially used the new labels for this album. 

Matrix numbers, other run-out info

Side A: EKS-75005-A AL ARC 8-26-9 MMMD

Side B: EKS-75005-B AL ARC 912519 LMLL

AL means Allentown

Cover

The cover is definitely the original one, not replaced/swapped. I have compared this very cover to a few others I have and it appeared that early covers are a bit larger than later ones (coming still with 1st pressing red labels). Maybe it's a matter of a pressing plant, I'm not sure - anyway the cover presented here is the large one, measuring 318 mm in height. The shrinkwrap is original, I did not try to remove it.

Inner sleeve

The inner sleeve is 100% original correct one for the first pressing of this album with photos and lyrics printed on it.

Condition

The whole set is in the Highest Near MINT condition and only a perfectly sealed copy would better it but... you'll never know which label version record is inside a sealed cover!

The cover still has its original shrinkwrap carefull y preserved by the original owner who used pieces of clear tape to keep the shrink. Luckily these clear tape pieces did not touch the cover surface. They can probably be removed but I leave that to the buyer. The shrink is torn halfway from the top as shown on photo. I used this opportunity to show that under the shrinkwrap the cover has absolutely no ringwear which is usually found on this album's covers. Would be virtulaly MINT if not for the tiniest wear on corners so the Highest NEAR MINT.

The record is VIRTUALLY MINT. Absolutely pristine surface with no marks.

Playback is virtually FLAWLESS, as for the sound - most likely NO COPY WOULD BEAT THIS ONE SONICALLY. Compared to other two USA copies I have (both on red labels) this one is definitely the best though I must admit that Terre Haute red label copy sounds practically the same. Compared to first UK and Japanese pressings this copy totally beats the latter ones sounding  much more clear and at the same time with much power. OK, only because it is a pre-owned record I have to grade this NEAR MINT.

Summary

Artist: The DOORS

Title: The SOFT PARADE

Country of origin: USA

Release and pressing year:  1969

Label: Elektra, TAN label

Catalogue number: EKS-75005

Pressing plant: Allentown

Pressing: ORIGINAL, FIRST

Grading cover/record: Near Mint / Near Mint

Inner sleeve: ORIGINAL, CORRECT lyric / photo inner

Matrix numbers: EKS-75005-A AL ARC 8-26-9 MMMD & EKS-75005-B AL ARC 912519 LMLL

Play-testing setup

Thorens 125 table, MC type cartridge Kuzma  KC-1 (OEM manufactured by ZYX), Luxman L-560 amp, Harbeth HL-7 speakers.

Treating records

I always treat vinyl records with the greatest care - just because I love them. All the records I sell have been cleaned professionally with the isopropyl alcohol based solution and placed in brand new deluxe German made poly-lined inner sleeves. Original inners are surely preserved. For further packing I use re-sealable outer sleeves, custom German made LP mailers with cardboard stiffeners and I add extra protection for corners for heavy parcels.

Shipping

Shipping cost for this item is 18 USD WORLDWIDE. I ship worldwide by Registered Air Mail and obtain an internationally valid tracking number. If the postal service of your country allows tracing of incoming overseas parcels you'll be able to use the tracking number. I'm happy to offer combined shipping for multiple purchases, this allows to save quite a lot on postage. Feel free to contact me if you need to know shipping price for several items.

Payment

Paypal.

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A VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ!!!!!

POSTAL SERVICES WORLDWIDE ARE ALREADY WORKING VERY SLOWLY AS CHRISTMAS TIME IS NEAR. DELIVERY BY REGISTERED AIR MAIL TAKES FROM 2 TO 4 WEEKS! MAY BE EVEN LONGER TO THE AMERICAN CONTINENT, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

I CAN SHIP BY EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE AT COST (MUCH FASTER) BUT IT'S NEARLY A DOUBLE PRICE.

IF YOU ARE IMPATIENT AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO SEEK FOR SIMILAR ITEMS ELSEWHERE. BY BIDDING ON MY ITEM YOU CONFIRM ACCEPTING THE TERMS ABOVE!