Ever seen one of these?

This here came from a dj that worked for WBCN out of Boston. It is a signed test pressing of The Eagles Hotel California from 1976. Does anyone here know anything about these old test pressings? Also are the signatures real and what do you think it could be worth?

Thanks 20210815_012247.jpg 20210815_012822.jpg

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Saunders on June 23, 2023 at 10:17pm

Another pi8

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20210815_012243.jpg, 4.3 MB

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Permalink Reply by Stepeanut on June 24, 2023 at 12:05am

Columbia Records had three pressing plants back in the day: Pitman, NJ; Terre Haute, IN; and Santa Maria, CA. This one was produced at the latter. Unlike the “limited edition” test pressings we sometimes see these days, this would have genuinely been produced in very small quantities. You might want to check the dead wax info. You’ll probably see the codes 1S and CSM there, beside the catalogue number. Collectors like these test pressings. In some cases, where there is a musical difference from the finished product — such as Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks — they can be worth a great deal of money.

I have little interest in The Eagles, but it does seem like a number of these test pressings were sent out, fully signed, for promotional purposes:

https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/33969130533694-the-ea...

http://natedsanders.com/mobile/lotdetail.aspx?inventoryid=50199&...

I’ve never studied their signatures, but, if they look good, and the provenance of this LP is solid, then you may be onto something special.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 24, 2023 at 12:24am

That's a GREAT set of Eagles autographs. I don't know test pressings like Stepeanut must but I've seen these signed test pressings sell at a wide range of prices. I think this set is worth mid-4-figures.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Saunders on June 24, 2023 at 12:46am

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on June 24, 2023 at 7:28am

what a cool item, the signatures do look good to me

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Permalink Reply by JK on June 24, 2023 at 10:10am

Is the "Mark" in the inscription Mark Parenteau?

WBCN was a giant in FM radio in its day, with very noteworthy and well-connected DJs.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Saunders on June 24, 2023 at 11:14am

Yes it did come from Mark Parenteau.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Saunders on June 24, 2023 at 11:18am

Does anybody know how many were printed and signed like this?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 24, 2023 at 11:32am

I know of at least 5 that have been offered for sale. All legit autographs. So figure at least twice that. It would be really cool framed with a high-grade, first release Hotel Cal!

Here's one Julien's sold for $7,680 in 2021. Bigger, bolder sigs but I like yours better:

https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/365/lot/158878

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Saunders on June 25, 2023 at 12:53am

I think I will frame it with the original cover and the big picture Insert that comes with it. It has two folds and is like 30" wide._87788096_84baeabd-3aef-469c-8571-1d8e454c6c63.jpg%20%281%29.webp

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on June 24, 2023 at 1:43pm

100% authentic. This same one was on eBay a few years ago asking price $4000. I have heard anywhere from 25 to 50 of were produced/signed mostly to DJs across the country. I have only seen one that is not inscribed to anyone.