This Is Dean Martin! Vinyl LP (Duophonic Reissue)

This is a 12-inch vinyl long-play (LP) record album titled 'This Is Dean Martin!' released by Capitol Records. The cover art features a large, close-up photographic portrait of a smiling Dean Martin in a brown suit and tie against a dark, moody background. Notable markings include the 'Capitol Records High Fidelity Recording' starburst logo on the right and the 'DUOPHONIC' banner across the top, indicating this is a fake-stereo reissue of the original mono recordings typical of the early 1960s. The tracklist is prominently printed under the title, including hits like 'Volare' and 'Return to Me'. In terms of condition, the jacket shows significant shelf wear, particularly visible along the spine and edges. There is a noticeable circular mark or adhesive residue on the center of Dean Martin's forehead, along with small white scuffs and ring wear across the dark parts of the cover. Light yellowing or foxing is visible on the white border, consistent with paper aging from the mid-20th century. The catalog number 'DT 1047' is visible in the upper right corner, confirming its status as a Duophonic pressing. This specific version represents the music industry's transition period where mono tracks were electronically reprocessed to appeal to the growing stereo market of the 1960s.

I have completed a visual examination of the 'This Is Dean Martin!' LP (Capitol DT 1047). This specific pressing is a 'Duophonic' reissue from the early 1960s, a process where original monaural recordings were electronically reprocessed to simulate stereo. My assessment of the jacket reveals condition issues consistent with Good+ (G+) to Very Good (VG) grading. Notable defects include significant ring wear, edge chipping, and a prominent circular adhesive residue or scuff on the central portrait, which detracts from the aesthetic value for collectors. From the images, the record's authenticity is confirmed by the specific catalog number, font styles, and the Capitol starburst logo characteristic of the period. The market for Dean Martin vinyl is stable but high-volume. Because this is a Duophonic pressing—often considered sonically inferior to the original mono (T 1047) by audiophiles—it typically commands a lower price point than the 1958 first pressings. Current market comparables for this title in similar mid-grade condition frequently sell within the $10 to $18 range. Rare versions, such as those with intact 'shink-wrap' or promotional 'drill holes,' can fetch more, but the surface damage here limits premium potential. Limitations: My evaluation is based solely on visual inspection of the cover art. A physical inspection is required to grade the vinyl disc for scratches, groove wear, or warping, which accounts for 80% of a record's value. To fully authenticate and value this item, I would need to inspect the 'dead wax' matrix numbers for pressing plant information and confirm the presence of the original color-band or rainbow label. No scientific testing is required, but a playtest would be necessary to verify audio integrity.