Collecting log: GREETINGS Japanese 2nd pressing LP with a wrap-around Obi

Note the unnecessarily and rather punctiliously
folded wrap-around obi (pic from actual auction).

Quite busy these days and can't have enough time to write something about rare records and old bootleg titles. So, I just made a quick note from my collecting log that may interest potential readers. I recently obtained by internet auction a used copy of the second Japanese LP pressing of GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N.J. (CBS/SONY SOPO-124), which is famous for the wrap-around obi decoration. It cost only 380 Yen (= 3 bucks and some pennies) without competition, probably because the obi, as shown in the picture (from the actual auction), was folded and cut open along the bottom edge. However, although the postcard sleeve and vinyl are rather clean in excellent condition.

From BACKSTREETS Records catalogs issued back in the 1990s
(specifically from 1991, 1992, and 1996).

This release has been one of the steady collectibles from Japan, even not only as a promo but also as a regular copy. Having looked through old catalogs I received from BACKSTREETS Records back in the 1990s, I found that it was advertised at between $350 and $425 for set sale (though I think this was still way overpriced even in the era when vinyl discs were more demand and much more valued than currently viewed as popular music collectibles). A good buy, isn't it?

But what made me happy with this cheap purchase is that I finally got all three copies for this particular release! (BTW, I have yet to buy that remastered LP box; that's way too expensive!)

ALL THE THREE GET TOGETHER: a test pressing with blank white labels, a white label sample copy with a boarding ticket-style questionnaire card, and a regular issue of the Japanese second pressing for the first album (CBS/Sony SOPO-124)