Journey To The Centre of The Earth - Promo Copy, Rick Wakeman

This is heralded as the Masterpiece of Prog Rock music. It's a speciality pressing only for Radio and DJ's.

Has the magnificent booklet in great shape. Unfortunately the cover has a hole punch in top right corner. Gatefold - magnificent pics. 52 Years Vintage copy. 

A must have for Prog Rock enthusiasts. 

Rick Wakeman - Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (Promo Vinyl)

Artist: Rick Wakeman Title: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Format: Vinyl LP (Promotional Edition) Original Release: 1974 Label: A&M Records Genre: Progressive Rock / Symphonic Rock

The Deep Dive Details:

• The White Label Promo (WLP): For US copies, the definitive promo is the White Label Promo (Catalog Number: SP 3621). While the retail version has the standard silver or ochre A&M label, the promo features a stark white label with black text. These are highly prized because they were often among the first few hundred pressed from fresh metal stampers.

• The Australian Promo Stamp: On the Australian first pressing (Catalog Number: L 35147), look for a gold foil or ink stamp on the back of the gatefold sleeve that states: Sample Record Not For Sale. Because this album was a massive chart-topper in Australia, finding a genuine early promo that survived with its sleeve intact is a major win for local collectors.

• The 8-Page Color Booklet: A complete promo copy must include the 12x12 inch color booklet stitched into the center of the gatefold. It contains lyrics, illustrations, and credits. In many promo copies, this booklet is in better condition than retail copies because they were handled by professionals rather than being flipped through repeatedly in a store.

• The US Pressing Plant: Check the label for the letters next to the A&M logo or at the bottom of the label.

• SP: Pressed at Specialty Records Corporation.

• RE: Pressed at Richmond Record Pressings. Specialty (SP) promos are generally considered the superior audiophile choice for this specific 1974 release.

• The Dead Wax Messages: US promo copies usually have the MASTERDISK stamp. Some copies also feature a small hand-etched P or CP, indicating they were pressed at Pitman or Columbia plants. These early pressings capture the dynamic range of the London Symphony Orchestra much better than later mass-produced reissues.

• The "Roger Dean" Confusion: While the artwork style is similar to the fantasy landscapes of the era, the painting and artwork for this album were actually done by Michael Doud and Michael Wade. However, collectors of Roger Dean (Yes, Asia) still cross-collect this record due to its thematic and visual similarities to the classic prog-rock aesthetic.

 Keywords: Rick Wakeman, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Vinyl LP, 1974, Promo, White Label Promo, A&M Records, SP 3621, Progressive Rock, Symphonic Rock, Gatefold, Booklet.

Tags: Prog Rock Vinyl, 70s Promo Records, Rick Wakeman Collector, Rare Australian Vinyl, White Label Promo.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve