Retro in Miniature

Forget the retro fitting of reno shows: re-engineer the past. That's what the White Stripes did on their latest tour. Their merch table was peddling a miniaturised player that would only play an already obsolete three-inch vinyl record. Six of their hits were ported to the format and packaged with the player, and for only a few dollars more fans were offered an optional upgrade of a seventh. "Top Special" is in the unique position of being the only record to be release solely on this ultra-rare format. In doing so they have also unleashed perhaps the greatest collectors item since the Beatles made an industry of it. One opportunistic concert goer has turned a $160 (U.S.) investment into just under a g-note on eBay.