Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley was in high demand and RCA wanted to capitalize in on this sensation. RCA released EPA-747 as Elvis’ first Extended Play record. The preview paper sleeve was used in the earliest releases of EPA-747 until the standard cardboard EP covers became available. These early release sleeves were accompanied by the earliest variation records. These early pressings have credited the song Just Because with P.D. (Public Domain), however, the song is not. Subsequent releases contained proper credits.
The record itself is not too difficult to obtain, the real value is in this sleeve. Although it is a rare sleeve, it is available from time to time.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
In 1961, RCA Victor Records released His Latest Flame b/w Little Sister on compact 33. The prefix (37) denotes compact 33. The catalog (7908) is identical to the relatively common counterpart release as a 45 RPM (47-7908). This release was part of an industry-wide attempt to establish a one-speed record market which began in 1960, that was anticipated to phase out the 45 RPM within two to five years of it’s introduction. Using big name artists, like Elvis Presley to propagate sales of the compact 33 in the direction of market domination should have been enough, however, it wasn’t. In 1961, 45 RPM record sales were climbing at a record pace, the major discount stores cut retail prices by nearly 22%, and lack of inexpensive automatic 33-speed singles player discouraged the promotion of the compact 33. All these factors and more attribute to the extreme rarity of this single.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley monaural pressing of Speedway! Since the early 1960’s, RCA Victor Records had released the majority of their LP line in dual formats, monaural and stereo. The monaural releases are denoted with the prefix LPM, while the stereo is denoted by LSP. In 1968, the monaural format was phased out in favor of stereo. The later releases of 1968 were pressed in very limited quantities. Though it is not known the quantities, it is known that collectors will pay a premium for many of these releases. On such release is the last Elvis Presley album printed in dual formats, the rare monaural pressing of Speedway with catalog number LPM-3989.
It is interesting to note that this release is not listed in the 1978 discography listing of The Boy Who Dared To Rock. This is either an oversight or was not known to exist at the time of the pressing.
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Aug
04
Posted by megocollector
Elvis Presley monaural pressing of Elvis’ Gold records - Volume 4! Since the early 1960’s, RCA Victor Records had released the majority of their LP line in dual formats, monaural and stereo. The monaural releases are denoted with the prefix LPM, while the stereo is denoted by LSP. In 1968, the monaural format was phased out in favor of stereo. The later releases of 1968 were pressed in very limited quantities. Though it is not known the quantities, it is known that collectors will pay a premium for many of these releases. On such release is the second to the last Elvis Presley album printed in dual formats, the rare monaural pressing of Elvis’ Gold records - Volume 4 with catalog number LPM-3921.
There is a desirable slightly more common Canadian release, with an identical cover to the US release, however with “Printed in Canada” printed in yellow on the left hand side of the front cover. The record has “Long Play” on bottom.
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Jul
30
Posted by megocollector
“I’m crazy about these albums. They’re really Perfect for Parties.” says RCA Victor’s Elvis Presley. Among the other songs and artists on this Extended Play (EP) 45 RPM, Elvis Presley sings Love Me. In between the tracks, Elvis introduces the other artists. It was once believed that the only way to get the EP was to purchase an Elvis Presley RCA 45 RPM record player. This was reported in the Paul Lichter book, The Boy Who Dared to Rock: The Definitive Elvis , 1977.
A one page advertisement from a 1956 magazine however dispels this belief.
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Jul
27
Posted by megocollector
The World’s Rarest Record - no known copy to exist until now! A recent excursion unearthed a large, well maintained collection of 78 RPM records and World War II transcription discs. There were probably 200 or so records. Each record was well preserved in its original paper sleeve. These records were even boxed in lots of approx 20 records in original 78 RPM storage boxes. After thumbing through the lot (looking for artists that I may recognize, or songs of interest, and even interesting labels), I only walked away with five 78s. After a little research, the night that I bought them, I learned that I have discovered what may be the only known copy of one 78 in the collection.
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Jul
24
Posted by megocollector
This unassuming little gem was issued by RCA in 1968 as 447-0647 containing Blue Christmas b/w Santa Clause Is Back In Town by Elvis Presley. RCA re-released many titles on their Gold Standard series label. This series is denoted with the prefix 447 then catalog number. The label went through a progression of changes since the earliest releases in 1959. Many of these labels are tough to obtain, however, the orange label is the least common and most desirable label. The orange label releases were not accompanied by a picture sleeve. This record has been elusive. It wasn’t until recently, that this particular release became documented.
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Jul
24
Posted by megocollector
On Stage February, 1970 was released in June 1970. This would be the second consecutive live release of Elvis Presley of 1970. Upon entering Billboard’s Hot LP chart on June 20, 1970, On Stage peaked at number 13. It remained on the chart for twenty weeks. The original release of the album was printed in all red lettering on the back of the cover. Later releases would be in white letter, this copy does not subscribe to either standard as it is in all red lettering with only one line in white. Both copies have the orange label, rigid vinyl indicating the first original pressing. Both copies are in their original shrink wrap for an even comparison of this rare and unusual undocumented variation.
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Jul
24
Posted by megocollector
Mego released this series of action figures in response to the popular TV series and movie releases. The Planet of the Apes (commonly referred to as POTA) were released in 1974, however, are commonly misidentified as 1967 since that is the copyright on these figures.
The image on the right depicts a typical cardback. This red back would be that of the Astronaut. For each of the figures, the cardbacks were identical, however, issued in different colors. Of course as is typical with most releases, there are variations in packaging size and printing variations during their release schedule throughout the 1970’s.
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Elvis Presley was in high demand and RCA wanted to capitalize in on this sensation. RCA released EPA-747 as Elvis’ first Extended Play record. The preview paper sleeve was used in the earliest releases of EPA-747 until the standard cardboard EP covers became available. These early release sleeves were accompanied by the earliest variation records. These early pressings have credited the song Just Because with P.D. (Public Domain), however, the song is not. Subsequent releases contained proper credits.
