Sold Date: December 3, 2023
Start Date: November 26, 2023
Final Price: $45.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 13
Seller Feedback: 1236
Buyer Feedback: 0

     This auction is for a WHITE LABEL PROMOTIONAL COPY OF THE STAR WARS CHRISTMAS ALBUM --  "CHRISTMAS IN THE STARS".   This album was released in 1980 on the RSO Records label, with the catalogue number RS-1-3093.


     Honestly, until a couple weeks ago, I never knew that this was the very FIRST recorded vocal performance by Jon Bon Jovi on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas".  He is credited as John Bongiovi (see pic #19).  Apparently, his cousin Tony Bongiovi ran the Power Station recording studio in NYC (photo #20), and was looking for a way to get John's career off the ground.  This is the result.

     Supposedly, RSO Records went out of business on the eve of the albums release, and only 150,000 copies were pressed and released.  There was a single released, "What Can You Get A Wookie For Christmas (When He Already Owns A Comb)".




     The album is in Very Good Minus (VG-) condition (or Good +, if there's any such thing).  As this looks like it was a radio station promo copy, it was probably played more than a stock copy of this album.  Because the beginning of side one starts off with some low music, it does sound very scratchy until C-3PO says "Oh my stars!  I've never been so busy before!  It seems Christmas arrives sooner each year!". 


     You will definitely hear surface noise between cuts.  The louder parts of the musical selections will usually drown out the surface noise.  Light scratches and scuffs can be seen on both sides (pics #23 and #24), and some songs sound better that others (quality-wise).  I play-tested the entire album, and there were NO skips.


     The cover is in Good (G) to Very Good Minus (VG-) condition.  Again, because this was a radio station copy, it was pulled in and out of a tight shelving unit filled with albums.  First of all, there is a four inch seam split along the left edge (pictures #2 and #3).  For some reason, there is a blob of white paint along the left side (pic #4).

     Photograph #5 is of the bottom edge, #6 of the bottom right corner of the front cover, #7 of the top right corner, #8 of the top left corner (note small white label), and #9 of the bottom left corner. 

     Pic #10 is of the full back cover, and photo #11 shows the gold promo stamp in the top right corner.  Photograph #12 is of the top left corner, #13 of a nick along the open edge of the back cover, #14 is the bottom left corner, and #15 of the bottom right corner.  #16 is another view of the closed edge where the seam split is.  As you can tell, there are a lot of creases on this cover.

     Pictures #17 though #20 are of the track listing and credits.  Pics #21 and #22 are of one side of the album and a closeup of the label.  The last two photos are some views of the vinyl scratches.


     This may make a good copy for the beginning Star Wars collector until they can afford an upgrade.  Not the best, but good if you don't already have it...plus, it's a promotional copy.



     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including an opened copy of "The Empire Strikes Back" movie soundtrack album still in the shrink wrap).  Thanks again for looking during these most very...very...very...troubled times...




11-26-23

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and occasionally distracting surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deep marks. Several sleeve flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE VERY GOOD MINUS records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty banged-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. I will listen to any record in this condition to guarantee no skips. Surface noise is moderate to heavy. Sleeve splits are usually a big problem here with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE GOOD records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.