TOM WAITS - CLOSING TIME- ORIG 1973 ASYLUM LP TRUE FIRST PRESS WHITE LABEL EX/NM

$

110

Up for auction is a super rare original pressing of the debut Tom Waits album Closing Time, originally released in the U.S. on Asylum Records (SD 5061) in 1973:
-Guaranteed original First Pressing, NOT reissue -Original white Asylum labels -1841 Broadway NYC address on labels -Artisan mastering mark in deadwax on BOTH sides -Original inner sleeve w/ lyrics -NO UPC/bar code on cover -Vinyl comes in poly audiophile protective inner sleeve
Note: Most copies of Closing Time sold as "original" pressings on eBay are reissues.  Originals have these rare white Asylum labels, which were discontinued right after this album was released, so very few of these white labels were pressed before the record was issued with the later "blue clouds" Asylum labels, which 99% of copies have.
Condition: The cover is very nice, still has its original shine.  No ring wear on front.  Has a light crease in lower left corner (see photo).  Back cover is clean with some light rub top middle.  Corners are sharp with just a hint of rub on a couple.  Seams are strong, no splits.  Titles are clear on spine.  Nicely preserved original. Grade: Excellent (EX), better than typical VG+ copies
Vinyl also looks great, still retains its original glossy shine.  No apparent scratches or scuffs, but under a strong light, just some faint superficial signs of having been taken out of paper inner sleeve a few times.  Labels show no wear around spindle holes.  Former owner's name written on Side One label (see photo).  Has a slight storage warp that does not affect audio quality.

Spot-tested: The record sounds very clean for one of these early '70s pressings, no significant surface or pressing noise.  Music is clean and distortion free--not audiophile perfect, but none of these original pressings are.  This is the nicest sounding original I've come across.  Probably has been played only a couple times but handled with care. Grade: Near Mint Minus (NM-)


Combined Shipping:
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International Shipping:
Because of unreliable postal services, buyers in France and Italy must pay for Expedited international shipping, which includes tracking and insurance.  I've had too many records lost or damaged shipping to these countries.  Also, I do not ship to Central or South America, or China.
How I Pack Your Records:
I remove the records with inner sleeves from the covers prior to packing.  I sandwich the record between two pieces of cardboard for padding and protection.  I also reinforce the corners of the shipping box to protect the corners of the record jacket from damage.
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