Posted 9 years ago
flesh
(2 items)
I finally got my Holy Grail - an original Stereo Butcher Cover! It's an RIAA #2 pressed in Jacksonville, IL. As you may know, Stereo copies are 10 times as rare as Mono copies and I have wanted to own one for 20 years. A friend recently bought this for me as a gift and I couldn't be happier. It is a 3rd state with a really good peel job. It was steamed off in the late 60's and only has a few minor flaws due to the peel.
The bottom seam is split about 8" but I am considering repairing the split. It should be fairly easy to do as the split has been fairly "gentle" leaving the original cardboard intact. I should be able to use a tiny amount of glue and repair about 6 of the 8 inches of the split. I've read that Elmer's Glue Sticks work best and I would apply a very small amount with the tip of a small flathead screwdriver. I say I am considering it because I'm not sure if repairing it would decrease the value. I don't think it should, as I wouldn't be adding any new material (apart from the small amount of glue) and it would almost look as if it hadn't been split at all besides the slight cracks. If I ever resell it (which I don't plan on doing) I would of course be honest about the repair. If you are a serious collector and know about this kind of thing I would love to hear your feedback as to whether I should or should not do this.
I also ordered a Dry Clean Sponge from Amazon that rare book conservators and historical manuscript preservationists use that I intend on using (very gently) to remove the dirt and grime from the back of the LP. I do not want to use any liquids or other chemicals on the jacket. Again, feedback is appreciated.
There is also a small amount of fraying at the very top of the jacket. There is still some of the paper remaining but it is a tad shredded. I do believe I could glue down the pieces that remain and it would look a little better.
The record itself is in EX condition with only a few very minor surface scratches. (and I do mean VERY minor) It came complete with original inner sleeve which does have small seam splits on all three sides.
My plan is to do the very minor repairs and then place the record in a rice paper sleeve and frame the cover in a beautiful wood frame with 99% UV museum glass and I'll display it alongside my other Butcher cover (a 2nd state Mono copy in fairly poor condition) along with a copy of the recall letter in between.
Any suggestions / comments are greatly appreciated!
Nice score, I have collected records for quite a long time. I have a second state Stereo Butcher that I bought a few years ago in a small group of records at an auction. I was the only one there that actually realized what it was. After looking for likely 30 years for one I was dumbfounded when I actually saw it. Oddly, second states are becoming the most difficult to find, as so many of them have been peeled.
If I were you, I would simply take the cover and frame it in a record cover frame. I would not glue it or repair it in any way. I would also not do any cleaning on the rear. Repairing and cleaning would not really increase the value, and the risk of a mistake or damage that substantially detracts from the value is far too great. IMHO, there is no real advantage to doing it as it is not really going to increase value much if at all, and there is a great risk in doing so.
nice findddddddddddddddd.
Thanks welzebub! That's pretty good advice. I think I'll take your recommendation. While I'm pretty confident I could repair it very well, it probably is best to just leave it alone. That seam split just bugs me! :P
Once it is framed up in a record frame, which you can pick up on Amazon, you will not even see it. The record frames fit the jackets just right. That is what mine is in.
Great find, great advice. Let it be...
T A
That's the same frame I was referring to I bet- the wooden one with 99% UV glass. Thanks again for the advice! And haha I will just Let It Be.
GREAT PIECE!!! As the others have said....just leave it as it is...get it framed with UV glass to filter out the light...
Thanks BeatleJim55! I've decided to leave it as it is and I am just waiting for the frame to arrive. It's just that damn seam split...such a shame...all of the original seam is still there and if someone were to repair it, it would only look like cracking which would be so much better...but I'm not going to do that. Once it is in the frame I won't care as much.
Very Nice Man!!!
Very cool find ! wow . I have to say was glad they changed cover but what a HTF album . I agree "Let It Be "
Congratulations! It is sure rare sleeve. I read somewhere that the first edition was destroyed in due course almost entirely.