As I remember (geez, this was 49 years ago!) the FIRST stereo record I
heard was a stereo demonstration disk released by Omega (which had
been making 2 track, 7½ IPS stereo tapes since about '56 under the
Good reminiscing there dBob. I started looking at records
(mostly 45s and the CKY charts) in record stores (Woolworths downtown
Winnipeg) in about 1958. We took the trolley bus down Portage Avenue to
crowded bustling sidewalks every Saturday. Alone....no parents needed. This
at 9 1/2 years old though my sister was almost 12 years old. Anyway, I don't
think they even sold LPs. In about 1962 I started looking at LPs half
interested though I had nothing but a little suitcase player to spin them
with. My first several purchases were Mono as they were cheaper than stereo
by several cents and on an early teen budget it counted. Besides the player
only had one tiny little speaker so no point, even though the jackets
assured one that playing the stereo record on a mono player would not
adversely affect it. There are some collectible LPs I see on lists where the
mono version is worth more than the stereo version. I am guessing this is so
because in the transition time stereo outsold mono thereby creating a
scarcity. Or, possibly the stereo effect was so gimmicky audiophiles now
prefer the mono version?