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Searching for information about the vinyl release

Kalininov

Kalininov

New Member
Hello friends!
I received the Slade album "You Boyz Make Big Noize". The cover has a stamp that says "For promotion only. Ownership reserved by CBS. Sale is unlawful." Records with this stamp have a limited edition. How and where can I find out the exact number of copies released?

P.S. The vinyl record itself does not have a press number stamp around the label. The cover is slightly worn, but the record shows no signs of being played, and there are no marks from the turntable spindle on the label. Most likely, it was never placed on a turntable and never played.
Thank you!IMG_8338.jpegIMG_8340.jpeg
 

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Those were generally sent to radio stations, so the specific number of copies produced may be very difficult to ascertain. They sell for a premium because they are usually the "first pressing" of the record, and are often (but not always) in excellent condition.
 
djwhy60 said:
According to the bar code this is your release. In some cases the promo stamp is just placed on a stock album and distributed. Doesn't make it worth more
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I'm not sure about your assumption, as mass-produced records that end up on store shelves have a press stamp on the vinyl, like the one in the photo. My copy of Slade doesn't have such a stamp, so the "promotion only" copies were indeed produced in limited quantities.
 

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Kalininov said:
I'm not sure about your assumption, as mass-produced records that end up on store shelves have a press stamp on the vinyl, like the one in the photo. My copy of Slade doesn't have such a stamp, so the "promotion only" copies were indeed produced in limited quantities.
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OK.....go with your explanation....
 
djwhy60 said:
OK.....go with your explanation....
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This isn't my explanation, it's an explanation based on time, practice, and information available on the internet, and I think it's hard to argue with it. Records stamped "Promotion only" were produced in limited quantities and sent to radio stations, producers, and other interested parties. This was done to promote the album, introduce it to the music industry elite, understand how popular it would be worldwide, and determine the appropriate production run. Then the album went into mass production and was distributed to stores. Didn't you know that?
 
Kalininov said:
This isn't my explanation, it's an explanation based on time, practice, and information available on the internet, and I think it's hard to argue with it. Records stamped "Promotion only" were produced in limited quantities and sent to radio stations, producers, and other interested parties. This was done to promote the album, introduce it to the music industry elite, understand how popular it would be worldwide, and determine the appropriate production run. Then the album went into mass production and was distributed to stores. Didn't you know that?
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I have at least 5 promo stamped albums here.....I understand the concept....Screenshot 2025-12-31 110234.jpg
 
Kalininov said:
This isn't my explanation, it's an explanation based on time, practice, and information available on the internet, and I think it's hard to argue with it. Records stamped "Promotion only" were produced in limited quantities and sent to radio stations, producers, and other interested parties. This was done to promote the album, introduce it to the music industry elite, understand how popular it would be worldwide, and determine the appropriate production run. Then the album went into mass production and was distributed to stores. Didn't you know that?
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My understanding is that they are from the production run. Same pressing. Just pulled and given the gold promo stamp. Nothing special about them other than they are probably the first ones pressed. They were then sent to radio stations for promotion and other people in the industry.


I have a David Johansen gold promo. Tucked in the sleeve I found a pretty cool letter, addressed to Pat Benatar.

image.jpg
 
This can be sticky!

For many pressings, like early Impulse LPs, the quality can, indeed, be astoundingly high because the LP is an early pressing from the stamper. Other times, the quality can be terrible because the companies would make pressings more cheaply for promo copies and send the batches out to 'non-paying' end users.. I worked in a record store in the seventies and our promo copies could feel like those wispy little 'records' from the back of cereal boxes!

Many promo copies were handled and played "roughly," as well....so condition checks are paramount!
 
When it comes to non retail pressing, the 1st test pressing can be valuable.
These are 1st generation Mothers and Stampers, virgin vinyl, careful pressing.

No cigarette ash on these... ;)

I only have one, but have approximately 20 promo copies.
( including a full set of signed Wishbone Ash, obviously intended to be giveaways .. )

Don't take this as a slight against your collection, but consider the number of radio stations worldwide, and that the record companies write these off as " marketing expenses".
Im glad you have some, it's unique slice of this hobby.
:)
 
elvi said:
When it comes to non retail pressing, the 1st test pressing can be valuable.
These are 1st generation Mothers and Stampers, virgin vinyl, careful pressing.

No cigarette ash on these... ;)

I only have one, but have approximately 20 promo copies.
( including a full set of signed Wishbone Ash, obviously intended to be giveaways .. )

Don't take this as a slight against your collection, but consider the number of radio stations worldwide, and that the record companies write these off as " marketing expenses".
Im glad you have some, it's unique slice of this hobby.
:)
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Test pressings are cool. This one is #4 of 5.

I have another that’s #19/25 It is packed with marketing material and has kind of crossed the line into being a white label promo.

IMG_3916.jpeg
 
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