I mentioned in another thread that an original CD longbox of the 1987 Black Album release sold on eBay for $7,500 recently. Well, someone is now offering a different one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2...500wt_1413

Before anyone gets angry at me, no, I am not the seller, and yes, I wish this wasn't so expensive (so that I might actually be able to buy it). The opening bid is GBP 1,500.

I wonder just how many of these things really were produced.

TheDigitalGardener said:

I wonder just how many of these things really were produced.

That's a good question. Our own Princepedia says that "hundreds of thousands of copies were pressed" but "a few escaped destruction." The problem is that we have no way of knowing how many escaped destruction. Some unknown former WB employee might have a whole box of them in his closet that he hasn't told anyone about. I wish I had worked at Warner Brothers the day the album release was cancelled.

electricberet said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

I wonder just how many of these things really were produced.

I wish I had worked at Warner Brothers the day the album release was cancelled.

Or worked at the record pressing plant.

My Sister in Law did work at WB UK on the day (In HR), but she never got a sniff of it.

I did get the original vinyl, but from the WB rep that used to deliver to my town. In fact, I got it a week before the release date as the reps had the copy in ther car to tout to independent shops to get them to place orders. He said they had one to play so they could prove it was acutally a Prince record.

Because I got an original vinyl, I never bothered to try for the CD.

In theory, the CD is rarer, as less were pressed, let alone survived. But personally, The vinyl is were it is at. The bass is much hotter.

SquirrelMeat said:

My Sister in Law did work at WB UK on the day (In HR), but she never got a sniff of it.

I did get the original vinyl, but from the WB rep that used to deliver to my town. In fact, I got it a week before the release date as the reps had the copy in ther car to tout to independent shops to get them to place orders. He said they had one to play so they could prove it was acutally a Prince record.

Because I got an original vinyl, I never bothered to try for the CD.

In theory, the CD is rarer, as less were pressed, let alone survived. But personally, The vinyl is were it is at. The bass is much hotter.

Does the 1987 vinyl pressing sound any different from the 1994 pressing? I have heard that the CD pressings sound identical.

electricberet said:

SquirrelMeat said:

My Sister in Law did work at WB UK on the day (In HR), but she never got a sniff of it.

I did get the original vinyl, but from the WB rep that used to deliver to my town. In fact, I got it a week before the release date as the reps had the copy in ther car to tout to independent shops to get them to place orders. He said they had one to play so they could prove it was acutally a Prince record.

Because I got an original vinyl, I never bothered to try for the CD.

In theory, the CD is rarer, as less were pressed, let alone survived. But personally, The vinyl is were it is at. The bass is much hotter.

Does the 1987 vinyl pressing sound any different from the 1994 pressing? I have heard that the CD pressings sound identical.

The 1987 and 1994 versions of both the CDs and the vinyl LPs sound identical (as the same original 1987 masters were re-used for the 1994 release). Which is why the 1994 CDs sound a bit quiet and lack brightness by 1994 standards.

Current bid

Reserve not yet met...

1 day to go... Will there be a phantom bidder who will take it through the roof!?

Looks like the bidding ended and the reserve price was not met. I wonder if he will relist it with a lower reserve price.

FYI, this was relisted and sold for US $7,500.00

funkylust said:

FYI, this was relisted and sold for US $7,500.00

Get the F--K!!!

funkylust said:

FYI, this was relisted and sold for US $7,500.00

Really? I thought that was the earlier one (which didn't have a picture but was claimed to be sealed).

I think that two auctions are being confused here:

The initial auction (Canadian seller) realised $7500... however, the buyer may want to comment on this auction.

I listed my copy, (UK seller) it didn't reach its reserve in auction, but I sold privately afterwards.

Sale ended