This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2021
Offered is an incredible display piece created with the original factory-used metal "mother" plates for the production of the 2008 limited edition vinyl record release of John Lennon's Imagine LP. The plaque on the display gives a brief description of the nature of the production artifacts presented:
John Lennon "Imagine" Original Playable Metal "Mother" Mastering Plates used in the Production of the Apple Records Limited Edition Vinyl Record Album Re-Issue, S-66132 0337919, Recorded at Ascot Sound, Berkshire...Record Plant N.Y.C., Abbey Road Studios, London Originally Released 1973.
The diagram at right is presented below the text, and it is an excellent primer on where the mother plates fit in the production of vinyl records. Copies of sides A & B of the record's positive metal "mothers" were produced from the "master" discs for duplicating the metal stamping dies (the stamper) for the record pressing machines to produce the finished vinyl records. See the diagram at right for a visual explanation of the process. That these mother plates exist at all is special because most mothers and stampers used in production were recycled to reclaim the precious and expensive nickel. Beyond that, many mothers are destroyed in the process of creating the stampers, but the limited nature of this pressing left these in great shape. Very few survived the rigorous manufacturing process in such pristine condition. The metal mothers both measure 12 3/8 inches in diameter, and the framed display measures 29 ¼ x 23 ¼ inches. Near Mint to Mint condition.