White Label Albums - Any Value

[Dayo]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, as it's not really Northern related, but....

Continuing my trawl through the darker corners of my garage I came across a handful of white label albums from around 1976. There's no sleeve or info on the label. Just plain white.

Had a spin though them and spotted one by Minnie Ripperton, plus a Joe Tex and a Teddy Prendergrass. There's another that sounds like Bunny Sigler, but I can't be sure. So probably a bunch of CBS distributed demo albums - except they don't say demo - it's just a white label.

General question for collectors; is there any value in this kind of white label disc other than novelty? I'm trying to clear out a lot of marginal stuff on ebay.

Edited March 14, 2009 by Dayo

[Guest mel brat]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, as it's not really Northern related, but....

Continuing my trawl through the darker corners of my garage I came across a handful of white label albums from around 1976. There's no sleeve or info on the label. Just plain white.

Had a spin though them and spotted one by Minnie Ripperton, plus a Joe Tex and a Teddy Prendergrass. There's another that sounds like Bunny Sigler, but I can't be sure. So probably a bunch of CBS distributed demo albums - except they don't say demo - it's just a white label...

I've often thought to ask about info on these, as I acquired several plain white label albums myself back in the 70s - including some Tamla Motown albums by Willie Hutch, Marvelettes, David Ruffin, Stephanie Mills etc.

In the case of EMI recordings, the original sleeve artwork is usually present but cut and folded in half with the top and bottom sealed with sellotape (rather than glued). This seems the norm for EMI white labels I've encountered. Also the artists's name is often stamped on one label in purple ink using what looks like a 'John Bull' printing set! (I happen to think they look really cool!) I always thought how nice it would be to own something like "What's Going On" in this format (somebody out there probably does!)

White promos on other labels (CBS/EPIC etc) are usually in the "proper", finished sleeves. I have a few of these.

I'm wondering when the EMI white label copies FIRST BEGAN TO BE DISTRIBUTED, as I've personally never seen a 60s Tamla Motown white label album, though I have seen other label product from that period.

Edited March 15, 2009 by mel brat

[Guest biggray1]

I have lots of these white labels,a lot of them come with a press release and ofcourse track listing and some endorsements from Label managers etc,there just A4 papers tucked in the sleve,must have been done to save cost etc,as for seeing 60s uk white labels must say i havnt seen any,infact i havnt seen many Uk Demo Lps from the 60s at all.You usualy find just a promo sticker on the album cover,as for the Usa Demos now they printed the Lps like the Demo 45s wich are much nicer,even Motown issued white Promo's like the W/P 45s etc.Lps I Love'um.

[Guest mel brat]

...as for seeing 60s uk white labels must say i havnt seen any,infact i havnt seen many Uk Demo Lps from the 60s at all.You usualy find just a promo sticker on the album cover...

I have an plain white label copy of the Betty Harris LP on Action, but can't say I've seen any others either...

The earliest Tamla Motown ones I have are from 1974, but I just wondered if there were any earlier ones...?

Edited March 15, 2009 by mel brat

[Guest geomcewan]

I have an plain white label copy of the Betty Harris LP on Action, but can't say I've seen any others either...

The earliest Tamla Motown ones I have are from 1974, but I just wondered if there were any earlier ones...?

I have plain white label LP's of the Four Tops and Jr Walker greatest hits, both of which are in the original general release covers. I got them sometime in the seventies and have no idea as to what they're worth or even if they're rare. When I got them the seller told me they were test "runs" to make sure all was OK before the production run was put in place. I think this is BS, but am still clueless as to what they really are.

Anyone have the right answer?

[Guest mel brat]

I think they're simply pre-release demos - sent out to certain DJs, radio stations and retail shops etc., as I had many of mine from one particular shop C.1974-76. I know that I bought several of them a few weeks before their official release date, including Willie Hutch "Mark Of The Beast" (now sold). I also have a white label of Bobby Womack's "Home Is Where The Heart Is" album (CBS, 1977), but that was bought second hand. The others were brand new.

I'm so not bothered about their potential value. (They're usually cheap enough). I just like the look of them and wish I'd kept them all!

Edited March 16, 2009 by mel brat

[Guest Eddies]

I'm waiting on a white label L.P. of Barbara Lewis's Solid Smoke release from '81...are there any unreleased tracks on there,as there was on the Deon Jackson L.P. on the same label(remember the feeling etc.)

Anybody know?

cHEERS