This was a newspaper insert to join the coolest music 'club' in the world. The stickers of album covers were so freakin awesome that you know darn well you tore them out and stuck them on everything. They were like postage stamps of rock and roll.
The idea is you would get a ridiculous amount of free albums (this ad was for 9 free- but there were offers that went as high as 11) if you would promise to buy more in the future for a low low price and shipping and handling. I cannot tell you how many times I personally ripped off this company. Yup- no shame. I would get those free albums, they'd ship the next months selection and never hear from me again. I'm sorry Columbia House, don't send your lawyers. I actually know many who ran off with the free offer and didn't fulfill their obligation. Which is why I got to thinking about these guys- did they survive the honor system and well, is there any use for them now?
The whole direct mail thing seems to have fallen to the wayside. Born in 1956 Columbia (an offshoot of CBS records) decided to snag their market share of consumers who may not be able to get to record shops. There wasn't only a record club, there was actually a 'reel to reel club', 'cassette club' and 'eight track' club. Columbia was infamous for having stock in these antiquated formats years past their prime.
I did an informal poll. The majority I spoke remember fondly getting their free albums, such as Meatloafs "Bat Out of Hell", but cringed at the $18.98 obligation albums (three for the year) and once your commitment was met- buy one get one free offers. Making album lovers squeal with delight. Personally I only remember finding maybe 5 I wanted and having to pick random albums to get all the freebies.
Eventually Columbia House merged with BNG ( a division of Sony) and chugged along as best it could until rocked by scandal. Everything from security breaches on credit cards to licensing issues that landed folks in courtrooms. All for some free vinyl.
Columbia House still exists by the way. It is a DVD club where the latest offer is three DVD's' for $2.99 ea plus shipping and handling- with membership.
Crazy isn't it? This still exists and in the same boat as Tupperware serves a community that refuses to acknowledge technology and innovation. Who the hell in their right mind is going to pay $3.00 for a DVD and be obligated to anything when there is Netflix, On Demand and other services?
Evidently quite a few people for this company to have existed for over 50 years. Personally I just liked tearing apart all the album stickers and sticking them to my mirror— other than that, just a criminal past time.