I've just seen the new 2008 reissue of "Pet Sounds", and it's an EXACT replica of the 1998 mini-lp (TOCP-50859). This is the first time I've noticed the obi itself being exactly the same as a long-deleted edition- the 2008 reissue even has its release date/sale limit date as 1998 and 2000 respectively. There's absolutely no indication that this is in fact a 2008 reissue and not the original 1998 edition some collectors may have paid a hugely inflated price for from eBay or some such source. Obviously this must be quite galling for aforementioned collectors, and indeed for all of us who have tracked down long-deleted minis, often at great expense.

So, my questions are as follows- are the 2008 Beach Boys reissues really EXACTLY the same, inside and out, as the 2008 editions and, secondly, what's to stop other highly-collectible bands/artists (or rather the companies who produce their mini-lps) such as Floyd, The Who, Yes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, etc. from doing exactly the same?

I guess those bands/artists whose mini-lps were issued as a "limited edition" (with the number of copies produced written somewhere on the obi) are safe or at least safer from this kind of replication, am I right? And, if so, exactly what bands/artists fall into this category?

Thanks and best wishes,

Stu