Collecting log: Bolivia-only Tunnel Of Love 4-track EP

TUNNEL vinyl rarities; still lacking the Spanish advanced promotional package, though.

Nearly 20 yeas ago, I obtained this EP (Tunnel Of Love / Ain’t Got You // Brilliant Disguise / One Step Up), originally released in late 1987 or early 1988 in a west-central South American country.

Close-up pic of the left side of the rear
sleeve with a half-round cutout

Back then, I never expected it to become one of the scarcest and most valued items among Springsteen collectibles, although it was already tad pricey as a 7-inch vinyl. Not knowing the "future value", when I found a copy for sale, my motivation to purchase it was just simple: "It's a rare format and configuration from a rare country, so OK, why don't take it."  Since then I have never seen any copy offered, whether by private sale, set sale or auction. On literature and Internet review, Record Collector ranks it as no. 8 out of the top 40 worldwide rarities, estimating the value of £ 1,250(!) in mint condition (No. 329; November 2006 issue) and the Lost In The Flood collector's website describes it as "one of the rarest worldwide Springsteen 7-inch releases ever." Unbelievable.

Hand-etched matrix number on Side 1

Playable at 33 1/3 rpm, unique to this disc is of course its 4-track configuration including the only 7-inch release of Ain’t Got You. Another feature is that, like LP sleeves, the picture sleeve is open at side rather than at top, a single pocket sleeve format that is common to most European 7-inch releases but uncommon to the US and UK releases. The rear sleeve states in Spanish that "MANUFACTURADO POR HERIBA LTDA. CON LICENCIA DE CBS-INDUSTRIA BOLIVIANA" (manufactured by Heriba Ltda., CBS-licensed Bolivian industry), which is also printed along the rim of the sunburst labels on the wax. According to Google search, Heriba Ltda. is a legitimate record manufacturing company in that country, dealing with 7" singles, EP and LP vinyls released by various artists (for example, check Discogs). Matrix numbers are hand-etched "CBS SCP 10522 A" and "CBS SCP 10522 B" on Side One and Two, respectively. There are two more hand-written inscriptions on each side of the dead wax area, one being "28-I-88" and another unreadable to me (maybe mastering engineer's signature?). Just guessing that the former inscription may refer to a certain date (28/01/1988) such as the day the lacquer master was cut, or the official release date of this particular EP. Frankly, I am not so enthusiastic about this item, but I must admit that I'm happy with it in my collection.