Asi Canta Honduras, Trio, c. 1978 MINT LP, Sent by Military Junta to Expatriates

$

45

Up for sale is a most unusual, vintage but MINT*, SEALED 33 RPM LP vinyl record containing some great songs from Honduras.  This album was issued by the President of the Military Junta then in charge of the country and was apparently directed at Honduran expatriates, possibly in an attempt to curry favor this group and perhaps even to induce them to return home!  The jacket has a full sized photo of the General in charge (General Policarpo Paz Garcia), whose uniform is adorned with an impressive number of ribbons and medals!  This album is a great example of the use of public relations by a military regime!

[* NOTE ON CONDITION:  I have listed the condition as "New" because it is sealed in the original shrinkwrap and has never been played.  The following comments are meant to clarify the condition of the LP.  There is a small separation of the shrink-wrap near the spine of the album cover but the record has clearly never been removed from the shrink-wrap.  There is no ringwear of the album cover.  There has been a soft fold at the lower corner of the jacket; see photo #2 right lower corner.  This corner lies flat now.]
Full Title: Asi Canta Honduras
Artist:  Trio Honduras
Label:  Indica S.A., IN LP 135 "Producto Centroamericano Hecho En Cost Rica Por Indica S.A." Date:  Not mentioned (probably 1978 or 1979, certainly no later than 1981).
Side A (Lado A): 1.  El Costeno - Lidia Handal  2.  Agarrense (Xixique) - Serafina de Milla  3.  Corazon (Balada) - Rodolfo Bonille  4.  Maizales (Xixique) - Serafina de Milla  5.  Morenita de Suyapa (Bolero) - Jose Reyes Carranza - El Indio Hondureño  6.  Ritual (Bolero) - Dario Ulloa
Side B (Lado B): 1.  Virgen de Suyapa (Vais) - Paco Medina  2.  Na Facunda (Xixique) - Serafina de Milla  3.  Eras Tu (Balada) - Lc. Arnaldo Villanueva Cn.  4.  Amor Que Tenia (Xixique) - A. D.  5.  Plenilunio (Vals) - Dario Ulloa  6.  Jamas (Bolero) - Linda (sic) Handal
The notes on the jacket are entirely in Spanish.  I have used an online translation website to translate the message from General Garcia that appears in the box on the back cover.  (Please excuse any errors in the translation.)
"I would like to make it clear to my beloved nationals residing abroad that the Government of your country wishes them the greatest possible good in the efforts of evolution and prosperity that keep them away from the native nation.  At the same time, I express the most sincere votes (?) because the image of Honduras remains fixed in his memory and in the best feelings of his  heart.
I am pleased to send you the modest gift of this album that combines the inspiration of authors and voices from Honduras, so that, despite the distance, each day they feel more identified with the  authentic values of our nationality.
Fraternally, Policarpo Paz Garcia President of the Military Government Junta"
Military coups and juntas have long been a staple of Central American political history.  In Honduras, a civilian President, Ramon Ernesto Cruz was in power between 1970 and 1972.  He was then deposed by General Oswaldo Lopez.  (This General was also responsible for a previous coup and junta, which governed between 1963 and 1970.)  It has been said that Lopez's policies during his second time in power became more progressive and included land reform.  General Lopez was followed as military leader by General Juan Alberto Meigar Castro (from 1975 to 1978) and General Policarpo Paz Garcia (from 1978 to 1982), the latter of which is the imposing figure on the cover of this album.  According to the Wikipedia, these years were an era of economic growth and improvements in infrastructure.  In 1979, the Junta committed to a transition to civilian rule.  The process included the election of a Constituent Assembly (April, 1980), general elections (November, 1981), and a new Constitution (January, 1982), at which time power was transferred to the civilian government of Roberto Suazo.  Suazo successfully completed a full 4 year term in office.
My research into the history of this album indicates that it may have been previously issued in 1967 as Indica IN-135.  That album has a photo of an airplane on the front cover.  The two albums have the same tracks, but - curiously - the sides are reversed.  The songs on Side A previously are now on Side B, and vice versa.  In any event, my album could not have been issued before 1978 (when General Policarpo Paz Garcia became President of the Junta) was was likely issued well before 1982 (when Roberto Suazo came to power) because there is no reference at all to him, or to the transitional period that started in 1980.  If the tracks are the same, then my research indicates that the vocalists who comprised "Trio Honduras" were:  Abelardo Fortin, Victor M. Vasquez, and Angel Lopez.  (Please note that these names do not appear on the album cover of the record I am selling.)
Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.  Please note that if you have a Military Mail address (e.g. APO), I must ask that you choose USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses.
Attention International Buyers:  I will ship using USPS First Class International Parcel (to selected countries with e-Delcon service) or USPS Priority International Mail (worldwide), your choice.  Please note that the buyer is responsible for any customs charged by the country to which this is delivered.