Title: Cat People – Original Soundtrack
• Film: Cat People (1982), a cult erotic horror/fantasy movie directed by Paul Schrader.
• Label: MCA Records (UK pressing)
• Catalog Number: MCF 3138
• Year of Release: 1982
• Producer: Giorgio Moroder
• Special Feature: Includes the track “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” by David Bowie, one of his most iconic collaborations with Moroder.
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Unique Provenance
• BBC Gramophone Library Copy:
This copy has original BBC Gramophone Library labels and inventory stickers (seen on the cover and vinyl labels), making it a former broadcast or archival copy.
Collectors highly value BBC library items because of their rarity, historical significance, and direct connection to UK broadcasting history.
• Retention Card Present:
The retention card attached on the front is another sign of institutional provenance.
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Vinyl & Sleeve Condition (Visual Assessment)
• Outer Sleeve:
• Glossy front cover with noticeable wear around edges and corners.
• Library stickers on the front and spine.
• Some signs of handling and light creases.
• Rear cover has barcode labels and BBC property stamps.
• Vinyl (Both Sides):
• Appears glossy overall, but there are visible fingerprints and dust.
• Light hairline marks present (normal for library usage).
• Labels intact, bright with BBC Gramophone Library stamps.
• Inner Sleeve not present
Condition Grade (Visual):
• Sleeve: VG (Very Good) – due to stickers, edge wear, library marks.
• Vinyl: VG+ (Very Good Plus)
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Track Highlights
• Side A includes the famous Bowie track:
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) – 6:41
• Other tracks by Giorgio Moroder emphasize his electronic/synth score style.
Please understand that this is an official UK archival record from the British Broadcasting Corporation and the sleeve(s) may contain archival stickers from the BBC. Some of these stickers are 'on top' of the plastic with some 'underneath' (i.e. on the sleeve itself). Some sleeves have been 'laminated' either by way of 'punching' the plastic wallet to two parts of the sleeve or by fully wrapping the plastic to the sleeve. Where sleeves are laminated stickers can be removed with the use of appropriate sticker removal fluids however it is unlikely that stickers can be removed from any sleeves that are not laminated. The sleeves as such in this collection are generally graded as VG with the records often VG+ to Ex+.
The BBC Gramophone Library: A Historic Institution in British Broadcasting
Overview
The BBC Gramophone Library was the centralized archive and distribution hub for music and spoken-word recordings used by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) across its radio and television networks. Established in the 1930s and reaching its peak usage from the 1950s through the 1980s, the library served as a critical resource for programming, background music, and live broadcasts.
Primary Roles:
1. Music Programming & Licensing
• The BBC did not allow advertising, so it relied heavily on pre-licensed or internally approved music for airplay.
• The Gramophone Library held tens of thousands of LPs, singles, and 78s, carefully cataloged and labeled for legal and logistical reasons.
2. Record Circulation Across Studios
• Library copies were loaned out to BBC producers and engineers working on everything from Radio 1 pop shows to classical music programs and regional BBC radio stations across the UK.
• Many records bear checkout stickers and barcodes with issued/returned fields, tracking circulation between studios.
3. Archiving Broadcast-Ready Media
• The BBC required high-quality and clean copies for broadcasting, so many library records were early or first pressings sourced directly from record labels or distributors.
• Labels often provided the BBC with promo or advanced copies, which were then filed and made broadcast-ready.
4. Editing, Marking, and Custom Labeling
• Library staff often marked faults or added stickers (e.g., “STEREO”, “DO NOT USE SIDE B”, “OBSCENE LYRICS”) based on BBC content standards.
• Some records have cue sheets or fade/duration notes handwritten on inner sleeves for radio DJs and engineers.
5. Preservation & Disposal
• When formats shifted (vinyl to CD, then digital), the BBC began deaccessioning large portions of the library.
• Many records were sold, gifted to staff, or disposed of — though some were retained for archival and legal purposes.
Collecting Significance
Records from the BBC Gramophone Library are now highly sought after due to:
• Direct association with British radio history
• Unique, institutional provenance (often impossible to fake convincingly)
• Early pressings used during the golden age of BBC radio (1950s–1980s)
• The possibility that famous BBC DJs (e.g., John Peel, Annie Nightingale) handled or played the exact copies
Legacy
The BBC Gramophone Library remains a legendary archive in British media history, now largely digitized or merged into newer holdings. Physical copies like yours are time capsules, often tied to decades of public service broadcasting, music history, and cultural memory.
1/6/2026