REALISTIC SUPERTAPE XR 1988/89 US/CA
Realistic were a brand of Radio Shack / Tandy Corporation. This was a US made 🇺🇸 cassette, sold in the late 80s, also widely distributed in Canada.
Supertape XR (Extended Range) range is Radio Shack’s premium ferric formulation (type I) tape. This high performance tape is designed to provide superior recordings on all cassette equipment. The precision-engineered cassette mechanism ensures excellent tape tracking and performance even in car audio systems.Â
Note 1: 60 Mins: 1988: CA:Â Bilingual (English & French) tailored specifically for the Canadian market. Much Rarer than its US counterpart. The wrapper(s) may contain a small rip (repaired) or some light scuffing. SOLD
Note 2: 90 Mins: 1988: CA:Â These have the iconic "Radio Shack" price sticker on them. Clean and priced 38 years ago at CAD $4.95. Box-fresh cassettes. SOLD
Note 3: 90 Mins: 1988: US: Â Nearly box-fresh cassettes with possibly some small blemish. See pictures. Very few available
Note 4: 60 Mins: 1989: US:Â Always a RARE length. OUT OF STOCK
Note 5: 90 Mins: 1989: US:Â Cassettes in great condition, with some light scuffing. Only 2 available
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
See Tony Villa's video below on these Realistic Supertapes!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
About Realistic:
Realistic was Radio Shack’s house brand for audio equipment and accessories, closely associated with the Tandy Corporation. Sold through Radio Shack stores in the United States and Canada, the name appeared on receivers, speakers, cassette decks and recording tapes. Tandy’s American operations were based in Fort Worth, Texas, while Barrie, Ontario served as the headquarters for Radio Shack’s Canadian business.
During the cassette era, Realistic tapes shared catalogue pages and store shelves with the equipment used to record and play them. The Supertape name became a familiar part of this range, supported by Tandy’s own magnetic-tape production in Texas. This connection between retailer, equipment brand and recording media gave Realistic a different identity from companies known primarily for manufacturing blank tape.
For many American and Canadian listeners, Realistic recalls a neighbourhood Radio Shack, its annual catalogue and the experience of choosing tapes alongside cables, components and recording equipment. Surviving cassettes preserve that everyday retail history, with Canadian packaging also reflecting the Barrie-based operation that brought the brand into homes across Canada.