Sold Date: April 15, 2016
Start Date: March 27, 2016
Final Price: $59.95 $35.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 2222
Buyer Feedback: 67

Lot of three LP Records in Original Jewel Cases from Capitol Records, The Age Of Plastic!

From time to time, we like to focus on the packaging, especially when it is unique and pioneering in nature. Packaging has had a lot to do with the marketability of records over the years.

The 1960s were just underway and some record companies like Capitol were looking way beyond the modern age of the mid-century. A group of marketing folks, along with a special group of "boffins" (engineers!), were huddled together and they were working on an entirely new packaging concept for the higher end stereo albums produced by the large American record companies. The concept was simple, what new album packaging could be made from space age materials ? Moulded plastic was the answer. It was already being used in spacecraft, new cars, TV sets, radios, record players, and toys.

Above all, it was intended to be a packaging innovation. The moulded plastic case was designed to hold a vinyl album securely and there was a hinged plastic outer cover to protect the vinyl inside. The hinges were on the right hand side. The case had a small plastic spindle to hold the record and the Capitol dome logo was moulded into the plastic backing at the bottom right hand corner. The US patent numbers listed on the booklet inside are 2,848,106 and 2,785,797.

It is not known who actually created the plastic cases, but it is probable that they were proposed by an American supplier and not by Capitol's in-house personnel. Capitol may have come up with the design, but that background is not known at this time. In any event, the design was cool and was well suited to the contemporary designs found in the listening lounge of any North American Atomic ranch bungalow!

The designers came up with a novel plastic case and it was presented to management for approval. The green light for the new plastic packaging was duly given by the bosses at the Capitol tower in Los Angeles, and in the late fall of 1961, Capitol USA and Capitol of Canada introduced a series of specially recorded stereophonic albums for the growing market of "stereo buffs" who could afford high-end stereo equipment, and who wanted a thrilling "wide stereo" sound from their Hi-Fi investment. These new albums would be shipped in the new moulded plastic cases.