FRANK ZAPPA - 200 MOTELS - RAREST VERSION IN THE WORLD?

	£		125
	$		166

FRANK ZAPPA

"200 MOTELS" 

SINGLE LP

UBELIEVABLY RARE

February 1972

1st

SOUTH AFRICA PRESSING

ON THE UNITED ARTISTS LABEL

UAS 7045

An absolute must for serious Zappa collectors!

I have not seen this version of 200 Motels documented in any of the Zappa discography sites. It is known that 200 Motels was released in Sweden, Mexico, UK, Italy, France, Germany, USA, Canada, India, Venezuela and there is even an American Armed Forces release. However, this South Africa release does not seem to show up on the Zappa radar on any Zappa enthusiast's site - other than a very brief mention on the "The Zappa Patio" website. I have been collecting Zappa stuff for 44 years and this is the only one I have ever seen.

South Africa pressings in the late 1960s and early 1970s were made in very small numbers for distribution in South Africa and Rhodesia. This pressing would, in all likelihood, have been limited to just a few hundred. It is unlikely that Zappa would have been particularly popular in this area at the time and, let's face it, this is not the most accessible of Zappa's recordings.  For this reason, I am gusessing that it is unlikely that more than 100 or so were sold (most of those pressed would subsequently have been pulped) and that only a handful now remain in existence.

This official South Africa release of 200 Motels is radically different to any other official release. Firstly, it was released as a single LP rather than the regular double LP. It comes in a non-gatefold cover rather than the ususal fold-out. The front of the cover is laminated whereas most regular releases were unlaminated. The rear of the cover is in unlaminated black & white rather than colour. The United Artists logo on the rear cover is an earlier version and different to the one used on regular releases - it has the 'a' inside the 'u' and the whole logo is boxed. The UAS labels are matt/lightly textured rather than smooth. The catalogue number (UAS 7045) seems to be unique to this particular pressing. It was released without the booklet/poster that came with other 1st issue releases. The handwritten matrix numbers UAS - 7045-A/B are also unique. The tracks (see label scans) are listed on the rear cover but are abbreviated in many cases from the full titles on other official releases e.g. 'Semi Fraudulent' rather than 'Semi Fraudulent/Direct From Hollywood Overture'.The track listing (16 tracks taken from all 4 sides of the regular release which contained 35 tracks) is unique.

If anyone has any more substantive (not guesswork) background information on this rarity, do please contact me and I will add to the listing.

Cover: Laminated front (unlaminated rear) 1st pressing South Africa non-gatefold cover - made by 'Interpak' - the most famous South African manufacturer that made covers for South African Rolling Stones and Beatles albums. No writings, doodles or seam splits. Excellent condition. Minor wear to edges only. Well cared for. Comes in its original paper inner sleeve with the outer seams and square corners at the base.

Vinyl: Not play tested but looks to be Excellent to Excellent+. Lightly played and well cared for.

Labels: Excellent+.

Postage

£4 (UK - special delivery)

£10 (EUROPE - signed for & insured)

£15 (REST OF THE WORLD - signed for & insured)

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Returns. If for any reason you are not happy with your purchase, do please contact me to discuss as soon as possible. If the item has to be returned, in addition to refunding your payment I will also refund your initial postage costs when buying the item. However, I'm afraid I cannot reimburse you for the postage cost for returning the item.

Mint - The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.

Excellent - The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.

Very Good - The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch.

Good - The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches.

Fair - The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise, it may even jump.

Poor - The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc

Bad - The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler.