BASF Chromdioxid 1972 - DE
& LH - 1971 - DE
A rare and distinctive BASF design — a purpose‑built mailing case created to send a single cassette anywhere with ease. Iconic, historic, nostalgic… and sealed. Untouched for 54+ years.
Inside sits an LH or a Chromdioxid tape that has aged remarkably well. The sample inspected for photos showed a smooth, healthy tape surface, not as glossy as later 1980s formulations, but entirely appropriate for early‑era R&D. The leader is firm with a solid bond to the magnetic tape, and even the felt pad remains surprisingly robust.
BASF clearly cared about quality with this line. These tapes have been stored properly for over half a century, protected from dust, dirt, and humidity, and it shows. They stand today as excellent surviving examples of this unique BASF era.
They (the Chromdioxid at least) also feature the well‑known “Special Mechanics” tape‑guide system, the same one many collectors recommend removing before use, and as historical pieces, they’re exceptional.
Note 1: 90 Mins: 1972: CrO2: Sealed tape showing light, age‑appropriate wear on the wrapper and case. The wrapper appears original and untouched, suggesting the tape was never used. Only 2 available.
Note 2: 90 mins: 1972: CrO2: Opened but the tape appears completely unused, and exceptionally clean with no signs of handling or playback (not tested either). Visible wear and tear on the case, and the wrapper was retrofitted to maintain as original a look as possible. Only 1 available.
Note 3: 60 Mins: 1971: LH: SOLD.
Note 4: 90 Mins: 1971: LH: This last sample is in great condition. Last 1 available.
Watch below a video by Tony Villa on the BASF "Mail Ready" cassettes:
About BASF
BASF SE is a German chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world.[3][4][5] The BASF Group comprises subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries and operates six integrated production sites and 390 other production sites in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas and Africa.[6] Its headquarters is located in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has customers in over 190 countries and supplies products to a wide variety of industries. Despite its size and global presence, BASF has received relatively little public attention since it abandoned manufacturing and selling BASF-branded consumer electronics products in the 1990s.
At the end of 2015, the company employed more than 122,000 people, with over 52,800 in Germany alone. In 2015, BASF posted sales of €70.4 billion and income from operations before special items of about €6.7 billion. The company is currently expanding its international activities with a particular focus on Asia. Between 1990 and 2005, the company invested €5.6 billion in Asia, for example in sites near Nanjing and Shanghai, China and Mangalore in India.
BASF 1972 Chromdioxid & BASF 1971 LH - Made in Germany (DE)