As I'm currently listing LP records on Amazon I'm checking all the run-off grooves for messages. The run-off groove is that no-mans land between the last track and the label, where the stylus 'runs off'.
Often there are production numbers with A or B depending on whether its side 1 or 2. These can be scratched on or machine-written. Its the other scratched messages I look for, handwritten with a needle or something by someone in the factory.
The most intriguing one today has been TOWNSEND on the run-off groove of Hounds of Love by Kate Bush. Maybe Townsend was the scratcher?
Whatever, its a lost art form and literally just below the surface.
I can't recall seeing any messages inside plastic toys, although there's plenty of room to scratch something. I guess the fact that the insides are not meant to be seen makes it pointless. Sometimes parts of other toys are re-used like the Boat box card in a T in a Circle Flying Saucer we covered years ago.
I do love hidden record messages, ghost posters, notes in old books and the like. Do you readers?
Now you're talking my language! This post may also be of interest:
ReplyDeletehttp://katebush.proboards.com/thread/2557
Richard, your'e a genius! There it is, in that thread, the word TOWNSEND! he was the mastering guy! i.e. "Most vinyl records do have some numbers and/or the name of the mastering facility/person scratched in the runout area (e.g. Townhouse, Orlake). These normally appear on more than one record and are not written by Kate". Mystery solved! Ta!
DeleteKick Inside was one of the first albums I bought with my first wage. Always loved Kate Bush. The messages must be scratched in the original master disc before pressing. The letters are almost always uniform and stylistically similar, even if the tiny messages are not!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to see on that Kate Bush proboard forum that Kate wrote some of the messages herself! How cool is that Bill! I've heard that there are some messages on Led Zep albums - to Alistair Crowley the arch-witch - but it might just be hearsay.
DeleteAlways heading for the small print, be it lps, toys, board games or other printed matter. Just now wondering about the register plates of cars belonging to the Kleeware Ferry Boat, and a no-hit production number of the Big Jim Sports Camper, embossed on the windscreen (Mattel GmbH version).
ReplyDeleteA whole new language Arto! New to me at least. Just had a look at the rear of a Kleeware ferry car on Hugh's Small Scale World. Its there but I can't make it out! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k36q0FhLCMU/U5xHMH3bzZI/AAAAAAAAICI/VvUiQ7L2_vk/s1600/Kleeware+Ferryboat+Lido+HP+Styrene+Hard+Plastic.jpg
DeleteI can't see the number on the Big Jim windscreen but then again I may not be looking at the GmbH version online. Looking at those campers, I realise that I have had a similar Barboie Country Camper in the past. My best Camper car boot find ever was a complete Barbie Star Traveler! What a day that was!
Yes it's Hugh who has ever covered those BV 4672 marked Kleeware cars. The Big Jim Camper was found in Växjö, Sweden, filled with not only the goodies that went into the set but one BJ doll and helicopter pilot & fireman accessoires as well! Never knew they made them also in Germany.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a haul Arto! Was that on your recent trip? Fab.The stuff of dreams. What will you do with it all?
DeleteI'll let you know ... once I find ... my way to my laptop ...
ReplyDelete