LP.2108.9.1 is an unusual pressing that was not pressed by Capitol, even though it bears many Capitol markings. It is recognized by its darker purple label and the dome logo found in the perimeter print of the label. It also features the smaller 29 mm pressing ring, and a different textured outer ring surrounding the pressing ring.
Availability
This variation was available for a short time in 1977 (for only a few months) when a temporary subcontractor (Cinram) was seemingly used while Capitol was adjusting its operations at its new plant in Mississauga, Ontario. More information on the reasons behind the use of this third party pressing company at a time when Capitol was launching its own operation would be appreciated. The regular Capitol pressings returned a few months later (see LP.2108.10.1).
General Information
This pressing features the new "old-style" purple label, but unlike the standard ones found on following pressings, this one has a slightly darker label and features the Capitol dome logo in the perimeter print. It also bears a smaller pressing ring than Capitol pressings from the era (29 mm with a circular texture vs 39 mm clean pressing markings).
This pressing is part of an odd and scarce series of pressings. From the information that the authors gathered, it seems that Capitol subcontracted Cinram to press these records while operations were still being adjusted in the new pressing plant (maintenance, repair or support during a period of high demand).
Pressing Information
Cinram was subcontracted to press this series of reissues. The 29 mm pressing ring is indicative of Cinram, with the Capitol target logo etched in the matrix area.
Matrix markings are identical to those of the Capitol pressings of LP.2108.8.1: the hand-written catalogue numbers are followed by the same lacquer codes, and the trail-off carries the same stamped MASTERED BY CAPITOL marking. Cinram therefore pressed these records from the same set of masters prepared for the 1976 reissue series:
Side 1: ST-1-2108 H22
Side 2: ST-2-2108 H20
Seeing that Capitol temporarily subcontracted Cinram to press these as support while operations were still being adjusted in the new factory, it is most likely that these pressings were made from "borrowed" Capitol pressing plates sent from Mississauga (instead of creating a new master at Cinram). A "CR" marking in the trail-off would indicate a master made by Cinram itself; no pressing of this 1977 series has been documented with that marking so far (it is only found on later Cinram reissues).
Cover
The cover of this variation is similar in design to previous variations, but now features a new posterboard construction (image printed directly on the cardboard frame instead of gluing paper slicks). This results in a much thinner, flimsier cover, and a cover with no white frame around the front cover image. The back cover also features the new legal information as well as the new target logo.
One printing error is worth pointing out: the spine of these posterboard covers reads "Super Jac", next to the "Litho in Canada" credit. Super-jac was Modern Album's name for the paper-wrapped (wrap-around) construction of the previous variation (see LP.2108.8.1), where the mention belonged. The spine layout was simply carried over when the artwork was adapted for posterboard covers, which use no slick at all. The error survived on the following variation (LP.2108.10.1) and was only corrected in 1980 (see LP.2108.11.1).
Packaging
This edition was shipped in tight shrink wrap, with a plain paper LP inner sleeve. These Capitol sleeves can be square or rounded and have a large flap on the bottom and side.
Note** These inner sleeves were being used as they refilled stocks, so it is possible that leftover earlier sleeves were used as well.
