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CD: Abba The Visitors West Germany Red Polydor CD Prototype 3 Promo 1982 No Barcode
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Abba The Visitors West Germany Red Polydor CD Prototype 3 Promo 1982 No Barcode
Perhaps the ultimate CD collectable memorabilia. Manufactured before CDs were available to the general public to promote the launch of the new media as well as testing the manufacturing process. This is the playable promo digitally identical to the red label 1st press available to the public but with a different catalogue number and font to disc and unique artwork. Handed out to the members of Abba and Stikkan Andersson together with Philips CD100 for promotional purposes when CDs were launched to the market(and selected members of the press perhaps?).
Would be the crown piece of any serious collectors collection?
I have only seen two copies, including this one, pictured online.
Polygram - The first CD pressing plant in West Germany was owned by Polygram Records. This plant, which opened in August 1982, was located in Hannover, West Germany. CDs that were pressed by Polygram had "Made in West Germany by Polygram" on the label, except when they did lego pressings for other companies(like EMI and RCA Victor). In October 1985 Polygram transferred control of their West German pressing plant to a joint venture between Philips and DuPont Optical. This company, Philips DuPont Optical or "PDO," was used to press CDs for a number of companies. It was then they started to use hubetchings specifying which pressing plant the disc originated from, perhaps as a measure to control quality. Discs produced by the old pressing plant in Hannover before October 1985 will therefore have no etching in the hubarea. Pressings dating after that same date will most likely either have "Made in W.Germany by PDO" or "PDO Hannover" around centre.
Early CDs are collectibles since many of them are the original issues and are, therefore, remnants of the early days of the “Compact Digital Disc”. Aside from the historical significance, many music enthusiasts also feel that these early pressings offer superior fidelity to later remasters. The reason for this is that many early CDs represent a “flat transfer” of the tapes used. By contrast, many recent remasters have been prepared through excessive processing, including the abuse of compression and noise reduction. Often these early Cds are the best way to obtain a recording that is as close as possible to the original master. Most were manufactured in either West Germany or Japan for distribution throughout the world before the domestic pressing facilities existed or had capacity to meet demand.
Grading
Expedited shipping(with online tracking to 150+ countries):
40 USD
None(zero) of my customers so far has been forced to spend extra on customs duties or other government applied taxes.
My grading system(US Goldmine converted to ebays system):
I always grade under a strong light from an angle.
Like New(M-): Very near perfect playing surface and artwork. When held at an angle under extreme lighting you can see perhaps 1 or 2 very light scratches or pin dots.
Very Good(EXC): CDs in this condition look used, but like they were taken good care of. Only a few very light scuffs can be seen when the disc is held at an angle to the light. The booklet and inserts are present and have only a few very minor flaws such as a slight bend or light fingerprints
Good(VG+): No more than 10 very light to light scratches between 1/8" and 2". Artwork has case dents or a crease. Plays perfectly.
Acceptable(VG) : CDs in this condition are more for listening to than collecting. The disc is heavily scratched but can be played through without skipping. The booklet and inserts are present but heavily worn, and may include heavy fingerprints, bent corners, smudges, creases, case dimple marks, and writing.