BEATLES MOBILE FIDELITY MFSL 14 ALBUM VINYL COLLECTION BOX SET NM #3070 UNUSED

$

1,100

     This auction is for a superb pressing of THE BEATLES -- MOBILE FIDELITY SOUND LABS 1982 14 ALBUM COLLECTION BOXED SET.  

     Before going any further...THIS BOXED SET  WILL NOT...NOT...NOT!!!!!!!!! BE SHIPPED THROUGH THE MAIL!   Don't even bother asking.  This "rule" will be repeated throughout this ad...so get ready to get sick of it.  The set is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, an hour away from the New Jersey/New York borders.  Location details will follow so you can find out the distance between you and this set.

     The Certificate of Authenticity states that this limited edition set is #3,070 (pic #2).  It comes in the original shipping box with all the stabilizing inserts and box coverings (pic #3).  Even the original receipt ($318 in 1982) and cashiers check that was used for payment will be included.

     This was purchased soon after I got out of college.  I THOUGHT that somewhere along the line I'd have a music room with some over-the-top expensive stereo to eventually play this on.  Ummmm...sorry...that was never going to happen, and instead a lifetime of being one of the working-poor was all that was in store.

     This set has always been stored in the back of a dark closet.  Other than the day it was purchased, it never saw the light of day again until I took it out recently to take pictures.

     There are some very minor defects, which all of the sets have (whether ebay sellers point them out or not).  I will be pretty honest and up front about them so you know exactly what you are getting.  Since an auction can only list twelve pictures, the photos shown will mostly be of any "problems" I can see.  Others will just be described.

       If you are reading this, you pretty much know what the box looks like inside and out, and how the albums are placed in the box, including the large booklet and Geo Disc.

     First...the case.  As I said, it comes in the original shipping box.  There are eight styrofoam corners...four on top, and four on the bottom.  The case has a sleeve of light spongy material over it.  The front clasps are clean and untarnished (pic #4).  Along the middle of the right door edge (when you unclasp the front section and open the doors up) there is an inch-long depression (it is not cracked, and there is not a break in the black material...pic #5).  On the back of the box is a small inch-long area that shows what I thought at first were scratches.  Upon closer inspection, I do believe that these are remnants of glue (a tiny blob and some strands...pic #6).  The bottom is covered with a felt-like material.  Due to the box sitting on the four styrofoam corners for so many decades, you will see these leftover square impressions on the felt (pic #7).  They are there, and I do not think that they can be "brushed away".  Finally for the case, there is a very small ding on the back top left corner (pic #10), and a couple of small light, white markings here and there.

     That's it for the case.  Keep in mind that when this was shipped, I'm SURE that the box was not kept upright during the entire shipping process!  It was thrown around every which way, with the albums being jostled around, banging against those inside covers.  The only way you could ever find a pristine copy of this set would be if you worked at the factory and took it right off the assembly line.  I've never seen one like that...

     AGAIN!!!!   THIS BOXED SET IS FOR LOCAL PICKUP ONLY AND WILL NOT...NOT...NOT...BE SHIPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     Now for the contents.  The booklet is slid into the far left slot.  On the top and bottom corners of the left (binding/stapled) side of the booklet, there are small 1/8" breaks in the paper. (If you look at a closeup of pic #8, the far left slot contains the booklet...look at the top and bottom of the booklet edge and you may be able to see these slight splits).  There is some kind of fogging or ghosting on the front and back covers (pic #9).  If you look at the cover, it doesn't look like a sheet of blackness, but here and there you will see these highlights.      The Geo-Disc and directions are in the right side of the case.  In between are the fourteen albums.

     For the most part, all the album covers are perfect!  ALL the cardboard inner sleeves (that fold and wrap around each album) are a light brown color on their insides (pic #12), which leads me to believe that this is how they came (because it would be highly unusual for all of them to fade to brown in the exact same way). 

     I just looked and closely inspected all the covers again, and this is what I found.  On the outside spine of the outer "Rubber Soul" cover, there is a minuscule topical paper break (or scrape...see closeup of pic #8 again...slot 6 from the left) right above where is says "The Beatles" that is an 1/8" in size.  A tiny corner snub on the bottom of the "SPLHCB" cover.  Finally, the two "White Album" sleeves have things that need to be pointed out.  On LP#1 cover, there is an inch long light crease/impression along the top, left back cover edge (pic #11).  On LP#2, there is a 3/8" break in the paper along the top folded edge of the INNER folder sleeve (NOT the cover...the inner cardboard sleeve).  After reviewing the photos I couldn't fit in this ad, I believe that there is also a similar paper break along the folded edge of the inner cardboard folder sleeve of "Beatles For Sale".

     That's about all I can think of to tell you.  Any questions you have about condition, throw them out there.  Again, the albums were NEVER played, so however they are, that's how they were originally pressed back in '82.  I believe any problems identified do not detract much from the set.  After all, if YOU originally ordered this, this is exactly what you would have received.

     Do not wait to purchase this.  It is a bargain at this price.  Over the past couple of years I have seen both Paul and Ringo in concert.  They are healthy...and will be turning 79 and 81 soon, respectively.  I really do not want to think or live in a world without Beatles, but imagine what this set is going to cost when they pass?   Astronomical!

     Now for the "shipping"...there is NONE!  Plain and simple.  This can only be picked up.  Break out your GoogleMaps site and key in your address, and then one of the following locations to see how far away you are.

     If you are NORTH of NorthEastern Pennsylvania, key in the town of "Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640".  This is about twenty minutes from my apt, and there is a Walmart or a Park & Ride lot in the vicinity.  This is about an hour south of the PA/NY border (Binghamton basically).

     If you are SOUTH of  NEPA, key in "Bear Creek Township, PA 18702".  This is EXIT 105 off the NorthEast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  As soon as you go through the toll and get to the stop light, there is a Mobil gas station on the right where we could meet ("3377 Bear Creek Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702" is the Mobil address).

    Coming from the WEST, I imagine you can use one of the two above addresses.

      If you are EAST of NEPA (NJ, NY, LI), you can either meet at one of the two locations listed above...OR if you have to travel really far, there is the famous Crossings Premium Outlets complex in Tannersville, Pa.  This is only about fifteen minutes west of the NJ/PA border, and very easy to find (address is "1000 Premium Outlets Dr, Tannersville, PA 18372").  There is a Dunkin' Donuts on the outer rim of stores bordering one of the parking lots.  This is a ways from where I live, but if it makes the transaction easier for you, I can swing it.

     Oh yeah...two more things.  If you meet me at one of the three locations listed above, I will refund you...on the spot...$100  for your time and tolls!  No lie!   We meet, you look over the set...BOOM!   A Ben franklin for your troubles...

     Finally...I do not own a cellphone.  After arrangements are pre-made, we can call each other to see how far you are into your journey.  I will then leave my place and meet you at the ultimate destination.  If you do not show, I'll go back home, cancel the transaction, and refund your money.   Capiche ????   SIMPLE!  I figure if you're going through all this trouble, I will be on-time.  I expect the same from you, fellow ebayer.

     If you have any questions about this wonderful item, please email me before your tap the shiny blue "Buy It Now" button.   Also, check out some of my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest.  Thanks again for looking...during these most very...very...very...troubled times...(Mother Mary comes to me....).

10-1-17/3-2-18/9-23-18/9-17-19/2-11-21