Eagles – Self-Titled Debut LP (1972) - Original "Upside-Down" Gatefold Cover

$

50

An exceptional piece of rock-and-roll history: an authentic 1972 U.S. first pressing of the Eagles' self-titled debut album, housed in its legendary, short-lived original gatefold jacket. This copy features the highly collectible original white Asylum Records label with the color wooden cage logo at the top. This specific copy comes from the premier Presswell (PR) manufacturing facility and features highly sought-after early matrix runout stampings (ST-AS-722515-E / ST-AS-722516-B). It also features a clean vintage retail notch/cut-out, proving its authentic placement in the album's original 1972 promotional and retail cycle.
If you open the 1972 gatefold sleeve, you will notice that the central image of the band is printed completely upside down compared to the front cover. Far from a simple manufacturing error, this layout was the result of a last-minute executive decision by Asylum Records founder David Geffen.
• The Original Vision: Album artist Gary Burden and iconic photographer Henry Diltz shot a beautiful photo session in Joshua Tree National Park. The artwork was originally designed to open up twice—first like a book, and then unfolding downward into a massive four-panel poster of the band around a desert campfire. 
• The Last-Minute Glues: Just as production began, David Geffen decided that a multi-fold poster cover would confuse consumers at the record racks. Without consulting the band or the designers, he ordered the factory to glue the bottom flaps shut to turn it into a standard gatefold.
• The Result: Because the printing orientation wasn't adjusted for the sudden change, gluing the panels shut permanently oriented the inner campfire photo the wrong way up. Every genuine 1972 U.S. gatefold first-pressing left the factory with this legendary "upside down" visual quirk.
The inner gatefold photo features Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner huddled around a campfire. In the History of the Eagles documentary, the band famously admitted they were entirely under the influence of peyote during the shoot. Glenn Frey recalled wandering away from the camp to use the restroom, only to hear his bandmates shouting because an actual eagle was flying directly overhead.
Item Specifics • Artist: Eagles • Album Title: Eagles (Self-Titled Debut) • Release Year: 1972 • Record Label: Asylum Records • Catalog Number: SD-5054 • Matrix / Runout (Side A Etched): ST-AS-722515-E SIDE 1 PR • Matrix / Runout (Side B Etched): ST-AS-722516-B PR SIDE 2 • Pressing Plant: Presswell (PR) • Format: 12" Vinyl LP, 33 ⅓ RPM • Jacket Type: Original Glued Gatefold (Features the legendary "Upside-Down" inner photo layout) with a vintage factory notch/cut-out. • Audio: High-Fidelity Stereo • Country of Origin: United States • Genre / Style: Country Rock, Classic Rock
Condition Grading:
Vinyl Condition: Near Mint (NM). The labels are clean with no writing or spindle marks. The vinyl retains its brilliant original factory luster.
Jacket Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+). Solid, thick cardboard sleeve featuring the official DJ Copy promo stamp. Timing Strip is intact and readable. Structurally sound with crisp edges, minor shelf wear at the corners, no seam splits, no cut-out holes. Original inner sleeve included. Features a minor promotional slit cut on the spine/corner, standard for promo distributions. Graphics remain crisp and unaffected.