12 Carat Gold

A very confusing LP for most - this LP had 5 issues in 1974 alone. 1) Paper cover stuck onto a card backing. Background is black with brown titles. Lower track titles are split. Possibly a test or proof cover. 2) Brown cover incorrectly made. Light brown background with brown titles. Lower track titles are split. Probably only a few made, as the cover incorrectly opened from the left. 3) De Luxe version on 'crocodile skin' textured cover. This time in Green with yellow background. Lower track titles are now joined. 4) Standard 'Stock' 1st Pressing (as pictured) with a Red 'silk screen' cover. Lower track titles are joined. 1st Pressings have indented edges for easy folding (later re-pressings do not have these). Often people incorrectly think the 'joined' track titles are later. This is incorrect. As the UK 1st Pressing Melodisc MLP 12-217 (also from 1974!) also has 'joined' titles! Almost certainly the first 3 covers were a developmental progression and all four cover types existed in 1974. Most importantly on the Red Cover, you only have a 1974 'Stock' 1st Pressing if the cover has 'indented' edges & 'deep groove' on the white Studio One labels. If it has normal edges, then it is a re-pressing from the late 1970s or 1980s.