Disc: Yellow label label.1
Matrix numbers: M-HARUM A / M-HARUM B (hand etched) (unknown pressing)2
This is the M.G.M. Presents “Harum Scarum” on a 33 1/3 R.P.M. 12″ LP that contains seven radio spots or commercials promoting the movie Harum Scarum. It is a two sided disc.
Disc: White label label.1
Matrix numbers: P EASY COME (hand etched) (unknown pressing)2
This is the Paramount Pictures Presents “Easy Come, Easy Go” on a 33 1/3 R.P.M. 10″ LP that contains seven radio spots or commercials promoting the movie Easy Come, Easy Go. It is a one sided disc.
Disc: Orange label.1
Matrix numbers: # UA CLAMBAKE Ro (hand etched) (unknown pressing)2
This is the United Artists Presents “Clambake” on a 33 1/3 R.P.M. 10″ LP that contains five radio spots or commercials promoting the movie Clambake. It is a one sided disc.
Disc: Yellow label.1
Matrix numbers: NG CHARRO 02-692
This is the National General Pictures Presents “Charro” on a 33 1/3 R.P.M. 10″ LP that contains five radio spots or commercials promoting the movie Charro. It is a one sided disc.
Much like any release, bootlegs and unauthorized Elvis releases needed advertisements too. This is a gallery of advertisements from the collection of Felix Gübeli, editor of Bootleg Elvis (2012).
The Wooden Heart sticker that is associated with and may be applied to some of the covers of the early pressings of G.I. Blues is one of the most counterfeited stickers on the market. A goal of this article is to identify key differences between an original sticker and one questionable example. It should also be noted that there are likely many different variations between counterfeits. A purpose of this article is not to attack any individual or specific piece, however, to serve as a resource to quickly identify questionable, non-genuine, counterfeit, or bootlegged stickers as compared to an original. Of course, if the sticker passes all these tests, then a physical examination would be prudent. Sticker edges, has it been pealed, cut smoothly, or rigid. The texture, the color, the shape, and so on.
At a quick glance, the two stickers may appear quite similar if not identical in design, however, there are many differences between the two. The sticker on the right is a known good example of an original sticker as found on the original pressing. The second, questionable sticker was also found on an original pressing. Both stickers have been taken from their original sources images and oriented as close as possible to the same scale as one another. The second image was slightly taken at an angle, hence the somewhat skewing of the letters.
Before continuing to the fonts, a note about the curvature of the heart. Where the heart creates the crevice at the top, there should be a pronounced and sharp curvature as seen on the left. The image on the right has a large, rounded curvature which is a good indicator that the sticker is not genuine.
The color of the font is nearly purely white. Genuine examples should have some wear or glue bleed through the sticker giving it some off-white appearance with age.
A non-scientific approach in identifying characteristics between a genuine and questionable sticker by analyzing the font. This is a basic analysis, further detail could be identified, however, this detail should be more than adequate. Each line has been broken into pairs, where the top is the questionable font and the bottom is the genuine font.
Top: F and E, all three horizontal lines are identical length. The R is curved at the crevice and the center and top are heavier font than the sides. The I is narrow. The G has a rounded back.
Bottom: F and E, the middle line is smaller than the top and bottom. The R is straight at the crevice and the font is consistent throughout. The I is consistent with other letters. The G is is compact with a straight back.
Top: The W, where the two Vs meet extends past the bottom inverted V. Heavy font for the O. The E has all three horizontal lines at identical length. The N, the crevices extend past each other.
Bottom: The W, the three Vs meet. Consistent font for the O. The E has a smaller line in the middle than the top and bottom. The N, the crevices meet
Top: The E has all three horizontal lines at identical length. The R is curved at the crevice and the center and top are heavier font than the sides.
Bottom: The E has a smaller line in the middle than the top and bottom. The R is straight at the crevice and the font is consistent throughout.
Top: The M, where the two outer lines are straight lines from top to bottom. The angle of the / is more like 20-30 degrees. The number 6 is curved downward. The letters appear to be bold.
Bottom: The M, where the too outer lines are angled lines, where the bottom is further out than the top. The angle of the / is more of 45 degrees. The number 6 is straight and upwards. The letters appear to be regular.
This article was inspired by several emails that had been received regarding this subject matter and through a discussion that can be found on the FECC.
Kissin’ Cousins (Number 2)
Smokey Mountain Boy
There’s Gold In The Mountains
One Boy, Two Little Girls
Catchin’ On Fast
Tender Feeling
Anyone(Could Fall In Love With You)
Barefoot Ballad
Once Is Enough
Kissin’ Cousins
Echoes Of Love
(It’s a) Long Lonely Highway
Cover Front: RCA and catalog number upper left corner. Victor and stereo upper right corner. RE-2 lower left corner.
Cover Back: Catalog number upper right corner. Copyright information center of red box. RE-2 in red box.
Disc: Black label, dog near top.
Matrix numbers
Side A: RPRS-0230 11 A1B AFL1 2894A / Side B: RPRS-0231 9S A2A AFL1-2894-B (Indianapolis pressing)
Inner Sleeves
To identify the inner sleeve that is most appropriate for each release, look at the Inner Sleeves page on this site.
Originally released as LSP-2894 Kissin' Cousins and re-released as AYL1-4115 Kissin' Cousins.
It has long been understood that the My Boy sticker on CPL1-0475 Good Times is rare. However, isn’t understood, at least by me, when this sticker was applied to the record. It is also understood that the My Boy / Loving Arms release is considered rare and released in 1974. Once again, the question is when in 1974?
| Dates | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 11, 1974 | RCA Victor APB0-0196 Take Good Care Of Her / I've Got A Thing About You (45) | Released in USA |
| February 9, 1974 | RCA Victor APB0-0196 Take Good Care Of Her / I've Got A Thing About You (45) | USA charts on Billboard, peaks at number 39, and charts for 12 weeks, where Take Good Care of Her charts for only 7 weeks. |
| March 20, 1974 | RCA Victor CPL1-0475 Good Times (LP) | Released in USA |
| March 1974 | RCA Victor CPL1-0475 Good Times (LP) | Sticker CPL1-0475 Contains the Smash Hits: "I've Got a Thing About You" and "Take Good Care of Her" |
| April 6, 1974 | RCA Victor CPL1-0475 Good Times (LP) | USA charts on Billboard, peaks at number 90 on May 4, and charts for 8 weeks. |
| November 23, 1974 | RCA Victor RCA-2458 My Boy / Loving Arms (45) | UK charts on UK Top 40 reported by Billboard for Music Week, peaks at number 5, and charts for 8 weeks. ( 33 - 21 - 7 - 7 - 7 - 6 - 16 - 21) |
| RCA Victor RCA-2458 EX My Boy / Loving Arms (45) | UK charts on UK Top 40, peaks at number 5, and charts for 8 weeks. (Source: http://www.everyhit.com/retros/index.php?page=rchart&y1=1974&m1=11&day1=2&y2=1974&m2=11&day2=2&sent=1) | |
| January 4, 1975 | RCA Victor PB-10191 My Boy / Thinking About You (45) | Released in USA |
| January 8, 1975 | RCA Victor APL1-0873 Promised Land (LP) | Released in USA |
| January 25, 1975 | RCA Victor PB-10191 My Boy / Thinking About You (45) | USA charts on Billboard, peaks at number 20, and charts for 11 weeks. |
| RCA Victor CPL1-0475 Good Times (LP) | Sticker CPL1-0475-1 Featuring the Hit Single "My Boy" |
From this table, I have drawn a few conclusions. The following is purely my speculation as I wanted to make sense of the My Boy sticker and the RCA-2458 EX release.
Speculation 1: The CPL1-0475-1 sticker was produced during the time that the RCA-2458 EX (where EX is for export) was produced. Although the coal strikes and energy crisis had long been resolved, the residual fallout from those continued to remain. My Boy charted in late November 1974 on the UK charts with the flipside being Loving Arms. Both songs are from the Good Times album. Each song is track two on each side of the album. The song, My Boy, was very successful, peaking at number 5 on the UK charts1.
Speculation 2: It was during this run of several consecutive weeks where My Boy charted in the top 10, where RCA exported product to support the demand in UK. Since the Good Times album was a charting disaster peaking at only number 90 on May 4, 1974, and the song My Boy was a huge commercial success in the UK, on January 4, 1975 RCA releases My Boy in the USA with the flip song Thinking About You. This song was chosen from the forthcoming release on January 8, 1975 of the album Promised Land. Which would be a logical tie-in which may fuel the sales of the single, Promised Land, and generate some interest in the Good Times album.
Speculation 3: To support the above two speculations, it would be logical to suggest that My Boy / Loving Arms was likely released in December 1974 or January 1975. It would also be logical to suggest that the export release of My Boy / Loving Arms, the US release of My Boy / Thinking About You, and the push of old stock of CPL1-0475 Good Times with a new sticker announcing My Boy were all produced simultanesouly. This would explain one other point. The reason Good Times does not exist with a tan label and Promsed Land does.
Cover Front: White sleeve with punch-out to see record labels. CBS RADIO.
Cover Back: White sleeve with CBS Radio .1
Cue Sheets
Crusin’ America with Cousin Brucie. August 14-16, 1987. Elvis Special.2
Disc: White label with blue and black text. All discs look the same except where the hour and side is replaced accordingly.1
Matrix numbers
Side 1: CA-33-HR-1-A MZ KM / Side 4: CA-33-HR-2-B MZ KM4
Side 2: CA-33-HR-1-B MZ KM / Side 5:CA-33-HR-3-A MZ KM4
Side 3: CA-33-HR-2-A MZ KM / Side 6: CA-33-HR-3-B MZ KM4
Cover Front: Dick Clark’s Rock Roll & Remember.
Cover Back: No print on back.1
Cue Sheets
Dick Clark’s Rock Roll and Remember January 4, 1985.2
Disc: Maroon label, white print. All discs look the same except where the hour and side is replaced accordingly.1
Matrix numbers
Hour 1 Side 1: RRR #152 1-4-85 HR1 S1 KPG / Hour 4 Side 2: RRR-1-4-85 – HR -4-S-2 (hand etched)4
Hour 2 Side 1: RRR #152 1-4-85-HR 2-S1 KPG / Hour 3 Side 2: RRR #152 1-4-85 HR 3 – S 2 KPG (hand etched)4
Hour 3 Side 1: RRR #152 1-4-85 HR 3 – S1 KPG / Hour 1 Side 2: RRR #152 1-4-85 HR 1 – S 2 KPG (hand etched)4
Hour 4 Side 1: RRR – 1-4-85 – HR-4 – S-1 / Hour 2 Side 2: RRR #152 1-4-85 HR2 – S2 KPG (hand etched)4
Cover Front: Slic, with Dick Clark’s Rock Roll & Remember A Rock and Roll Adventure, over white box.
Cover Back: White box bound to the front.1
Cue Sheets
Dick Clark’s Rock Roll and Remember hosted by Gene Ward aired on September 4, 1982. There are other artists, it is primarily Elvis. On hour four segment 3 there is something odd – Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. We now know the duets were sang by Orion but back in 1982 many people thought it was Elvis.2
Disc: Black and white label, white print. All discs look the same except where the hour and side is replaced accordingly.1
Matrix numbers
Hour 1 Side 1: RRR – # 30 1A / Hour 4 Side 2: RRR-30 4B SG (hand etched)4
Hour 2 Side 1: RRR – 30 2-A SG / Hour 3 Side 2: RRR 30 3-B (hand etched)4
Hour 1 Side 2: RRR 30 1B SG / Hour 3 Side 1: RRR 30 3-A SG (hand etched)4
Hour 4 Side 1: RRR-30 4A SG / Hour 2 Side 2: RRR#30 2-B SG (hand etched)4
Cover Front: Slic featuring Elvis: Memories … over a black box.
Cover Back: Black box bound to the cover front with slic with program details.1
Insert
A 16 page booklet detailing the show. The first picture is the front cover. Program Operation Instructions. This program is cleared for one time only broadcast on affiliates of the ABC Radio Network. “Elvis: Memories …” is for the sole broadcast use of the ABC Radio Network, and may not be copied or offered for resale. The second is the first of the 16 pages.1
Disc: Tan label, blue print.1
Matrix numbers
Side 1: ASP-1003-1 SIDE 1 / Side 2: ASP-1003-2 SIDE 1A (hand etched)4
Disc: Tan label, blue print.1
Matrix numbers
Side 1: ASP-1003-3 SIDE 2 / Side 2: ASP-1003-4 SIDE2-A (hand etched)4
Disc: Tan label, blue print.1
Matrix numbers
Side 1: ASP-1003-5 SIDE 3 / Side 2: ASP-1003-6 SIDE 3-A (hand etched)4
Disc: Gold Standard. Red label.1
Matrix numbers: PB 10191A 1 (scratched machine stamped) GB 10489A 1 (hand etched) A A1 / PB 10191B 1 (scratched machine stamped) GB 10489B 1 (hand etched) A2 (Indianapolis pressing)2
A red label copy sold on eBay on February 5, 2013 for $45.88 plus shipping.3
Disc: Gold Standard. Black label. Dog near top. Gold Standard on side.
Matrix numbers: PB 10191A 1 (machine stamped) GB 10489A 1 (hand etched) A A1 / PB 10191B 1 (scratched machine stamped) GB 10489B 1 (hand etched) A2 (Indianapolis pressing)
Originally released by RCA Records on as My Boy / Thinking About You.
Disc: Gold Standard. Red label..1
Matrix numbers: PB 10074A (machine stamped) 3 GB 10488A 3 (hand etched) A7 / PB 10074 A 1 (machine stamped) B (hand etched) GB 10488B 1 (hand etched) A4 (Indianapolis pressing)23
A red label copy sold on eBay on February 5, 2013 for $74 plus shipping.4
Disc: Gold Standard. Black label. Dog near top. Gold Standard on side.
Matrix numbers: PB 10074A (machine stamped and scratched) 3 GB 10488A – 3 (hand etched) A8 / PB 10074 A B (machine stamped and scratched) GB 10488B 1 (hand etched) A4 (Indianapolis pressing)
Originally released by RCA Records on as It's Midnight / Promised Land.
Disc: Gold Standard. Red label.
Matrix numbers: PB-10278-A 20S TML-M GB10487A 20S A5 (hand etched) / PM-10278-B-1 A1 (machine stamped) GB10487B 1 (hand etched) (Indianapolis pressing)
A red label copy sold on eBay on February 5, 2013 for $74 plus shipping.1
Disc: Gold Standard. Black label. Dog near top. Gold Standard on side.
Matrix numbers: PB-10278-A 20S TML-M GB10487A 20S A2 (hand etched) / PM-10278-B-1 A1 (machine stamped) GB10487B 1 (hand etched) (Indianapolis pressing)
Originally released by RCA Records on as T-R-O-U-B-L-E / Mr Songman.
Disc: Gold Standard. Red label.
Matrix numbers: BPKS-1149-1 S A3 (machine stamped) GB 10486A 1S (hand etched) / BPKS-1259-1 S C1 (machine stamped) GB 10486B 1S (hand stamped) (Indianapolis pressing)
A red label copy sold on eBay on February 1, 2013 for $84.1
Another copy sold on eBay on January 30, 2016 for $67.2
Disc: Gold Standard. Black label. Dog near top. Gold Standard on side.
Matrix numbers: BPKS-1149-1 S B3 C (machine stamped) GB 10486A 1S (hand etched) / BPKS-1259-1 S C3 (machine stamped) GB 10486B 1S (hand stamped) (Indianapolis pressing)
Originally released by RCA Records on as Separate Ways / Always on My Mind.
Disc: Gold Standard. Red label.
Matrix numbers: APBO-0196A 1 A (machine stamped) GB 10485A 1 (hand etched) / APBO-0196A 2 A1 (machine stamped) GB 10485B 2 (hand etched) (Indianapolis pressing)
A red label copy sold on eBay on February 1, 2013 for $105.1
Disc: Gold Standard. Black label. Dog near top. Gold Standard on side.
Matrix numbers: APBO-0196-A SHELLY 9-3-77 50306 (hand etched) / APBO-0196-B SHELLY 9-3-77 (hand etched) (Santa Maria pressing)
Originally released by RCA Records on as Take Good Care Of Her / I've Got A Thing About You Baby.
Cover Front: White slic featurinng Elvis 10th Anniversary Six Hour Radio Tribute over a black box.1
Cover Back: Black box.
Inserts
A sheet detailing the six hour radio tribute. The other is an extra bonus found in the box set.1
Cue Sheets
The radio program is divided into hours, complete with commericals and was likely aired on Sunday, August 16, 1987. Above are a couple of pages from the cue sheets.1
Disc: Silver label, black print. Rigid vinyl. All discs look the same except where the hour is replaced accordingly.1
Matrix numbers
Side 1A: L-28121 E-10-1-A / Side 1B: L-2812-X E-10-1-B (hand etched)5
Side 2A: L-28120 E-10-2-A / Side 2B: L-28120-X E-10-2-B (hand etched)5
Side 3A: L-28149 E-10-3-1-1 / Side 3B: L-28149-X E-10-3-2 (hand etched)5
Side 4A: L-28149 E-10-4-1 / Side 4B: L-28149-X E-10-4-2 (hand etched)5
Side 5A: L-28157 E-10-5-1 / Side 5B: L-28157-X E-10-5-2 (hand etched)5
Side 6A: L-28156 E-10-6-1 / Side 6B: L-28156-X E-10-6-2 (hand etched)5
Girl Happy
Spring Fever
Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce
Startin’ Tonight
Wolf Call
Do Not Disturb
Cross My Heart And Hope To Die
The Meanest Girl In Town
Do The Clam
Puppet On A String
I’ve Got To Find My Baby
You’ll Be Gone
Cover Front: RCA and catalog number upper left corner. RE-2 bottom left corner.
Cover Back: Catalog number and title upper center. Copyright information bottom center. RE-2 lower left corner.
Disc: Black label, dog near top.
Matrix numbers
Side A: SPRS-2014 AFL1-3338A (hand etched) 10S A1DD / Side B: AFL1-3338B 14S A1A (machine stamped) (Indianapolis pressing)
Disc: Black label, dog near top. (1980s label)
Matrix numbers
Side A: AFL1-3338A-13 A2 / Side B: AFL1-3338B 14S (machine stamped) (Indianapolis pressing)
Inner Sleeves
To identify the inner sleeve that is most appropriate for each release, look at the Inner Sleeves page on this site.
Originally released as LSP-3338 Girl Happy.
Fake alert! This sleeve has been confirmed to be fake. Hopefully details will be provided soon. Purchase at your own risk.
Side 1: Love Me / Hound Dog
Side 2: Don’t Be Cruel / Jailhouse Rock
Cover: picture sleeve front and back.
Paul Dowling of World Wide Elvis had initially heard of this release around 1974 from super collector, Peter J. Milne from Scotland. It wasn’t until 1992, that information about this release was uncovered while Paul was going through the RCA archives in New York while researching a book. This prototype picture cover, constructed of thin cardboard and very durable, is from a man who used to work at BMG New York. Now, nearing 90 years old, the man decided to sell his rare items and this is just the first of many that he has that are unseen and unknown about. According to the former RCA employee, this catalog number was withdrawn because the company had decided against the issue of an EP with music from the 1950’s in 1961 but instead wanted to promote a new Elvis with a more current music catalog which later resulted in the actual release of LPC-128. No discs were ever made.1
This one of a kind specimen, previously not known to exist to the general public or even by many major Elvis record collectors sold on eBay on April 14, 2013 for $2023.00.1
RCA Official Listing Notices: One depicting the proposed ship of December 16, 1960 for the January 1961 album release schedule. The other depicting the cancellation date.1
Cover: (2012) picture sleeve front and back.
In 2012, this record was produced by an enterprising presser in limited quantities in both blue and black vinyl.
Disc: Black label, dog on top. RCA Victor, Compact Double 33. Black vinyl.
Matrix numbers: LPC 123 A / LPC 123 B (hand etched)
Disc: Black label, dog on top. RCA Victor, Compact Double 33. Blue vinyl.
The Sun Years
Contains Parts From Actual Recording Sessions With The Voice Of Sam Phillips, The Voice Of Elvis Presley, Plus Excerpts Of Elvis Presley’S Sun Recordings, Issued And Unissued.
Interviews And Music
Contains Interviews By Jay Thompson At Wichita Falls, Texas, Charlie Walker At San Antonio, Texas, Plus Various Other Rare Elvis Presley Talking Intros On Stage And Television.
Cover Front: Light yellow. Brown images and text. Stereo upper left corner. Sun logo and catalog number upper right corner.1
Cover Back: Light yellow. Brown images and text. Copyright bottom center.
Disc: Yellow label. Sun label with Memphis, Tennessee on bottom.
Disc: Yellow label. Sun label with Nashville, U.S.A. on bottom.
Cover Front: Yellow. Brown images and text. Stereo upper left corner. Sun logo and catalog number upper right corner.
Cover Back: Yellow. Brown images and text. Copyright bottom center.
Disc: Yellow label. Sun label with Nashville, U.S.A. on bottom.