Beatles Get Back Apple / Americom Pocket Disc
$
620
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Description
Beatles Pocket Disc. This scarce flexible Pocket Disc (measures 3-7/8" diameter and plays @ 33-1/3 RPM) was produced by Americom in 1966 through arrangement with Capital records. This one is the Beatles "Get Back" with flip side "Don't Let Me Down". Pocket Disc only in MINT / UNUSED condition without a cover jacket.
History: The Pocket Disc was manufactured by Americom, Inc. in 1966-1969. A former president of RCA, Lawrence Kanaga, came up with the idea for the Pocket Disc. Americom, who had previously pressed records for use in communications, pioneered the format, marketing it to the record companies as an alternative single. Since some record companies were testing the waters to see if they could stop pressing singles, the Pocket Disc offered them an opportunity, also allowing singles to be offered cheaply to folks who did not wish to purchase the more expensive LP. Americom giant Fred Hyman reports having explained to record company bigwigs the usefulness of a format that could be played "on the go."
Capitol/Apple was among several record companies which made an arrangement with Americom to release certain of its latest hit singles in the Pocket Disc format. These carry crude Capitol and Apple labels, with some of the Apple discs having the Capitol logo (just as the singles did). Americom's discs ran 33 1/3 RPM and were 4" in diameter. If a song ran over three and one half minutes, it was edited in order for the format to accomodate it. Apparently the editing was done at the record company level, and not by Americom. The discs were available via Americom vending machines -- with the idea being that the instance of theft would be reduced. Each came in a generic (red or blue) Pocket Disc sleeve.
For those interested, here are additional views (Please excuse the dust particles):
Get Back enlarged view
Don't Let Me Down enlarged view
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