In May 1970 work was underway to create a special package release that would utilize Elvis’ existing material. After the success of the budget-price Camden albums, the Colonel wished to capitalize on Elvis’ older material by compiling a four-LP box set release for a special price. This special four-LP set, Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1, would be released in August 1970. This compilation box of 51 hit songs was Elvis’ 38th album and was certified Gold by the RIAA on February 1973. Offered are two double-sided RCA Nashville acetates containing songs from this album set, plus two fascinating relics: two RCA sequencing sheets from pressing plant.
The first acetate has a red-and-white RCA Nashville label with handwritten notations in red ink of “Elvis / 50 Song Album / 33 1/3 / Mono / Side 1” with “Elvis / 50 Song Album / 33 1/3 / Mono / Side 2” on the reverse. It includes on side 1: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I Was the One,” “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender.” Side 2 includes the songs “Any Way You Want Me,” “Too Much,” “Playing for Keeps,” “All Shook Up,” “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” and “Loving You.”
The second acetate has a red-and-white RCA Nashville label with handwritten notations in red ink of “Elvis / 50 Song Album / 33 1/3 / Mono / Side 7” with “Elvis / 50 Song Album / 33 1/3 / Mono / Side 8” on the reverse. It includes on side 7: “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise,” “Bossa Nova Baby,” “Kissin’ Cousins,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby” and “Wooden Heart.” Side 8 includes the songs “Crying in the Chapel,” “If I Can Dream,” “In The Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” “Kentucky Rain” and “Elvis Sails.”
In addition to the pair of double-sided acetates, also included are two Sequence Sheets for the album, dated 5/11/70. These are internal RCA forms related to the final song order for an album. The sequence sheets being with the acetates indicates that they were most likely created very near the pressing date for the records. The Sequence Sheets contain the song lists for sides 3, 4, 7, 8 with the numbers 3 and 4 handwritten in blue ink. Interestingly, the “Elvis Sails” excerpts that appear at the end of Side 8 on the released version are not listed. This grouping of RCA acetates and Sequence Sheets are incredible original relics from this compilation album of Elvis’ greatest hits. Each acetate measures 12 inches (30.48 cm) in diameter and the pair is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Graceland Authenticated. Each acetate is in excellent condition overall with extremely minor surface wear. Each acetate has a single tiny nick to the edge. The labels are in excellent condition on all sides of the acetates with typical adhesive discoloration from age. The Sequence Sheets are in excellent condition overall with typical discoloration from age.