Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited original US 1965 mono LP shrink poster stickers

$

231

Record is VG to VG+
Cover is VG++ in original shrink wrap
Portrait poster appears never to have been removed from package, VG+ due to adhesive residue

matrix numbers XLP110638-1B (stamped) -1 (hand engraved) / XLP110639-1B (stamped)

Please read: Though not without condition issues, this item has a lot going for it. The "VG to VG+" grade will be explained, but unlike most examples at either of these grade levels, it's clear that the original owner didn't play the album more than a few times, and the overall groove wear is minimal. Although timing much longer than the average mid-60s rock LP (51:26) , there is surprisingly little to no decrease in sound quality towards the end of each side, which is due either to the strength of pressing or low number of plays. Each side sports a noticeable scuff/scratch of about an inch in length. On side 1, the mark stretches from about a third of the way into Tombstone Blues through to about a third into "It Takes a Lot..." but causes practically no noise. On side 2, a mark carries through the first two tracks, but aside from a few random pops, the only noise it causes is about 10 mild pops in the right channel about halfway through Queen Jane Approximately. The remainder of the side is fine until a tiny nick near the end of Desolation Row causes a series of 15 right-channel pops, which don't overpower the sound, but are audible. Thus a play grade of the left channel only of this mono LP would be VG++.

Labels are clean with no spindle marks.

The original shrink wrap has preserved the jacket for the past 47 years, and the classic cover shot is gorgeous, though partly covered by a small "Code D" price sticker in the upper right corner, a purple-on-white rectangular sticker announcing the inclusion of the hit Like a Rolling Stone, and a white-on-red round sticker indicating the inclusion of a free striking portrait of Dylan. The white rectangle is slightly faded, but the round red remains stunningly vivid for its age. No splits, bends or creases in the jacket.

I haven't been able to find any documentation on the portrait/poster to confirm, but in the case of this item, it appears originally to have been scotch-taped to the back cover prior to shrink-wrapping in the manufacturing process. Ordinarily, the album would have been purchased, the shrinkwrap removed, and the poster carefully pulled off of the back. But in this case the shrink, poster, and adhesive tape were all left in place. Over the years that tape has leaked residue which has browned and possibly stained the edges of both the poster and jacket. No attempt has been made to fix this, obviously, but it may be possible to do.

The tape residue should not be mistaken for any kind of flood damage. There is absolutely no stain or musty scent to suggest it.

No reserve on one of Dylan's very best albums, in a very rare early edition, despite the above-noted issues.