THE WAILERS - "Catch A Fire" - 1ST PRESS/ZIPPO LIGHTER die-cut - 1973
$
60
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Description
THE WAILERS
"CATCH A FIRE"
ISLAND SW-9329
1973
VG++ / G++
ORIGINAL COVER, INNER SLEEVE AND PINK RIMMED SUNSET LABELS.
BEST PRICE ON EBAY
ONE OF THE FIRST PRESSINGS (20,000 of these were manufatured). THIS MONSTER HAS SEVERAL COPIES AVAILABLE ON EBAY AS OF 11-25-2018 with conditions varying: $252 (EX / VG+), $295 (VG+/EX), $280 (VG/VG+/sticker on cover), $153 (VG/G+/detached top) and $74 (VG/VG/detached top)
Despite my grading, this is a nice copy of a very collectible and significant LP. US Island featured a die-cut cover in the shape of a Zippo lighter complete with intentionally rounded corners and a lighter top that would swivel up (just like the lighter) to reveal the vinyl disc. (Note: the plain white inner sleeve also featured factory cut corners (to fit the cover)).
What was in this unique cover is what made the difference between an album remembered for a unique cover and one recalled as a great record. This LP is the very cornerstone of the original worldwide popularity of reggae music. Of course, the band included BOB MARLEY, PETER TOSH & BUNNY LIVINGSTONE, plus the most famous reggae rhythm section in history (Carlton "Charlie" Barrett and Aston "Family Man" Barrett). The songs are terrific.
The thing about this album is, if you collect reggae, it is a focus point for the entire reggae movement / genre. And when I say this record, I mean this Zippo lighter first pressing. It lit THE reggae fire that is still burning. It is both sonically and symbolically a must have edition for collectors.
I bought this album used at InnerSanctum Records in Austin in 1974. The cover was just like you see it. The plan was to find another copy reasonably priced and trade up. I never saw another "trade up" copy in the music shops of Texas at the time. BTW, it was already a collectible by 1975.
There are a few surface scuffs because of way the disc has to be extracted from the cover. Also, many of these first pressings feature a broken hinge (eyelet) because the album was so popular and people played it a lot after purchasing it. As cool as the Zippo cover is, it really was not made for heavy use / heavy traffic.
I honestly think that this LP is one of the Top Twenty-five albums in the history of rock & roll. 'Nuff said.
Stored vertically in a smoke free environment for 45 years.
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