What was the purpose of the die-cut sleeves?
Italian picture sleeves occasionally come in two versions: the standard and the die-cut center hole sleeve. The purpose of these die-cut sleeves remains uncertain, and I have conducted research but have been unable to find a definitive explanation.
One theory suggests that these sleeves were likely overstocked sleeves that were cut and reused. Some refer to them as jukebox sleeves, which may be the case. However, there seems to be a common view that these sleeves did not necessarily correspond to the actual artists on the records. They were likely mismatched, serving solely the purpose of protecting the discs.
Furthermore, there have been reports of sleeves being assembled inside out, with the print facing the inside.
In my search for old sales on Popsike, I discovered several instances where die-cut Eat That Question/Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus sleeves were sold without the record. This further supports the theory that these sleeves were primarily used to protect random singles rather than matching the artists on the records.
Additionally, I have not encountered any jukebox editions of the Italian Eat That Question/Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus. Therefore, it is unclear why a jukebox sleeve would have been created for this particular release.
The die-cut sleeve for the Italian Tears Began To Fall/Junier Mintz Boogie single is shown on Popsike either with the promo single or without a single. It is uncertain whether the sleeves and singles were assembled by the sellers or if they were issued together from the pressing plant.
Similarly, the Daddy, Daddy, Daddy/Magic Fingers die-cut sleeve was sold multiple times alongside the Spinach/Frank Zappa – Action Man/Daddy, Daddy, Daddy single, according to Popsike. Again, it is unclear whether these sleeves and singles were assembled by the sellers or if they were issued together from the pressing plant. Why would they use a sleeve that represented the b-side only?
While I do not have definitive answers to all these questions, it is important to acknowledge that these sleeves may or may not have been issued with the singles represented on the sleeves. I hope that future research will provide further clarity on this matter.
Please do not hesitate to contact me using the contact form or the ZappaFrenzy Facebook group if you have any information that could help clarify the use of the Italian die-cut picture sleeves.
