Sold Date: October 26, 2024
Start Date: October 19, 2024
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 1777
Buyer Feedback: 0

Here is a PROTOTYPE pic sleeve of the classic The Vampire Speaks horror novelty record from 1997.  Only 300 sleeves were made back then and only a handful exist.  This sleeve was never glued.  The performer Al Zanino, didn't glue it correctly and the front sleeve never married to the back sleeve.  The edges were never folded but you can see some glue residue from the failed attempt.  Down the road we figure out a better way to attach the front of the sleeve onto the back of the sleeve.  So I consider this a prototype.  Here's some info about the record:
"The original was recorded back in 1957 by Al Zanino and Cliff Juranis of Reading, PA. Only a few copies of the original pressing survive. They have gone for more than $300 at record shows all over the world. This one features a new pic sleeve designed by John Fundyga along with artist Rick Ulrich. The back features a copy of a rejection letter written by Roland/Zacherle on his original 1957 letterhead. Al Zanino sent a copy of the 45 to Roland when he hosted his Chiller Theater show back in 1957 in Philly. His letter was recreated from the original copy on the back of the sleeve. The letter has some funny comments written by Roland himself! The record label was painstakingly made to look like the original. It is a very interesting piece of horror history.
The record is very cool. Al Zanino does a dead on (pun intended) impression of Bela Lugosi complete with scary sound effects and weird piano music. There is a point on the record where the vampire remembers a time when a stake was thrust into his heart. The sound effects on that are chilling to say the least. The A side is called The Vampire Speaks and the B side is called In The Vampires Lair. Al does all the voices, Cliff did the piano work and effects. What a super cool piece of horror memorabilia."
The actual record is un-played.  BONUS items.  An original autograph from AL ZANINO the performer on the record is included in this package.  He signed a few of these pics of him in 1997 showing Zacherle the record with his rejection letter on the back.  This was before we had a computer so the pic is real homegrown.  Zach loved the project!  Both gentlemen have left the planet years ago.  Also some related articles and reviews on the record are included.