Ok, tough question coming up.
Does anyone know how to identify a REAL copy of the black album on vinyl? As you probably know, a limited few copies of Black got out in 1987, but it was quickly copied and resold by bootleggers. So how do you know if you have a real copy of black or just a bootleg-copy?
I've seen many obvious fakes, but there are some that look a lot like the original so it's hard to tell. My personal copy has the black background and orange lettering just like the original, and it has the issue# on the side of the cover. It does not have a warner bros logo stamped into the cover, and apparently this means it's not an original. can anyone shed some light on this?

The wb logo is stamped into the cover on the original versions. another thing to look after is the inscription on the vinyl (after the last track). It supposed to be manufactured in alsdorf and many bootleggers have copied the inscription. But if you compare the alsdorf inscription on other officially prince released material with the one on the black album you should be able to see if its an origínal or not.

tommysoul said:

And look at the spelling of "RockHard In A Funky Place" on some boots it stated as "RockArd" and the fade-in fade-out part is missing at the end of "Rockhard"...

Neversin.

AN original copy of the 1987 Black Album also has the catalogue number WX147 shown on the sleeve I think.

Yes there is a tiny WX147 in peach on the spine of the album sleeve. Also the little indented WB thingamebob on the reverse.

Much love Pochacco

I think I have an original. There is 'Alsdorf' on the vinyl scratched like originals always have. I bought it from a second-hand-store (ca. 20 DM).
But my question is:
Does WB manufacture some on vinyl when they re-issued them in the 90ies?
(Mmmh, I think Alsdorf manufacture didn't exist then anymore..)

To the best of my knowledge all the re-issued vinyl copies were on colored vinyl. Dont quote me on that tho.

Much love Pochacco

The "re-issue" Black album was issued on vinyl in Europe and I have several copies myself. They are not on coloured vinyl as is the common conception but regular black vinyl. The strange thing is that on 2 of the 10 copies I have the spine lettering is in red instead of peach. Strange!

I also have a US promo vinyl from the 90s re-issue which is by far the best sounding version.

BlurredEye said:

The "standard" version was on black vinyl (I have two of them), but I'm pretty sure that they pressed some copies on grey, white, and peach vinyl. I seem to recall hearing that the grey ones were given to WB execs.



I think both of mine also have red spine lettering.

Yup, The Black Album Vinyl Promos were in Peach Marbled Vinyl(1000 copies),and white vinyl(300 copies-each individually numbered!!)
But the normal issue was just plain old black vinyl.

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