Back in the day (and still), a good, cheap way to 'protect' your music was to record it, mail it to yourself and never open it. You could always prove the date by the postmark.
Recently acquired by the NYPublic Library, among other things, is just such a tape - unopened - made by Lou Reed in 1965, with acoustic versions of several of the songs that became the Velvet Underground's first album.
That album was part of the soundtrack of my earliest cannabis experience.
Fifty+ years later, thank you, Lou!
From the Youtube description;
I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Heroin,” “Pale Blue Eyes” — In May of 1965, Lou Reed, with the help of future bandmate John Cale, recorded the very first known versions of these iconic songs along with a handful of others and mailed the tape to himself as a “poor man’s copyright.” The tape remained sealed in its original envelope and unopened for nearly 50 years — entirely unheard and forgotten, until now. In partnership with @lightintheatticrecords and @laurieandersonofficial, the tape will be released for the first time (remastered from the original analog tape) on Deluxe Edition LP, Standard LP, CD, Cassette Tape, and Digital on 8/26 and are available for pre-order now. The first single, “I’m Waiting For The Man is available to stream now. Throughout 2022 and beyond, Light in the Attic will continue to honor the music and influence of Reed through the Lou Reed Archive Series. Visit LouReedArchive.com to learn more, and stay tuned for forthcoming releases. Words & Music, May 1965 will be available on August 26th in a variety of formats, including LP, cassette, 8-track, digital, and CD.