Period Literature:
Although I'm still working on a list of all the paper work and case candy that LSLPs shipped with, I'd like to use this section of the page to provide images and descriptions of what period literature I have located so far. There is also a section on an original shipping box.
THE ORIGINAL BLUE PRINTS FOR THE LES PAUL CUSTOM AND LES PAUL STANDARD ARE SHOWN BELOW. How cool is that?
CASE CANDY:
It's really hard to compile a complete list of original accessories that is 100% correct. Forty plus years have gone by and most guitars have traded hands many times since new. It seems the only way to confirm the list would be to find a picture of someone opening their case for the first time by in 1969.
"Owner's Manual"
21 pages, hanging string, and warranty card. Note that the warranty card has the serial number and model stamped in it. You very rarely see them with matching serials. -- IMAGE IMAGE
"Diamond Jubilee Tag" - 1969
Reddish brown oval w/ gold hanging string, "Gibson Diamond Jubilee - 75 Years of Excellence" -- IMAGE
"Truss Rod Manual"
Light blue paper, 68 publish date, I am unsure if this shipped with LSLPs. -- IMAGE
"Leather Neck Strap"
Included with the guitar according to the "Return of the Les Paul" brochure shown below. -- IMAGE
"Quality Check List"
"Gibson Brand String Tag"
Unconfirmed if this was pre-68 or post-69. Probably correct for LSLP though. -- IMAGE
CATALOGS FROM 1968:
Always interesting to read the period catalogs! Only one has LP's in it. Send me scans of any others you have, thanks.
"Gibson General Catalog - 1968"
PDF format, no Les Paul's for some reason. -- PDF
"UK Gibson Sales Catalog - 1968"
PDF format, Les Paul's included. -- PDF
"Suggested Retail Price Guide"
Effective June 1,1968" - CMI GibsonJPG format, Les Paul's included. -- Danke to "Hardi D." from Germany!!! -- IMAGE IMAGE IMAGE
"Suggested Retail Price Guide"
Effective September 1,1969"
Multi-Page Literature:
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Gibson Gazette, Vol. 8, No. 2 
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'The Return of the Les Paul' published June 1968. 
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An Original, 898xxx-era, Gibson Shipping Box
I had to save this image when I stumbled across it a few years ago. How about that? An original shipping box from VERY late 1969. This bass managed to stay in NOS condition until now, amazing.
"Daddy of 'Em All"
A fun period advertisement. Two '68s are shown; I do not know the date of this ad, but it is likely VERY late 1969 or into the early 1970's as it has the Chicage, "Norlin" address. (Vs. the Parsons St address in Kalamazoo.). UPDATE 09/19/19 --- One of my readers recalls this ad being used in the April 1970 edition of "Guitar Player" magazine. Thanks Tim V.!
Les Paul Custom: The Original Blueprints
This is a companion section to the Les Paul Standard blueprints below. The plans are current to March 1968, model 5110. No real surprises here as in the LP Standard plans. The knobs are not the final "Witch hat" style, and the truss rod cover is specially stated that is should say "Les Paul" and not "Les Paul Custom" as the final model does.
PLEASE READ, VERY IMPORTANT:
Julien's Auctions successfully and professionally handled the estate sale for Mr. Paul. In doing so, they publically posted these images on their site. I have heavily watermarked them to ensure their ownership is permanently associated with these images. Please respect Julien's Auctions' property and do not attempt to remove the watermarks. The images are posted here are not for profit and for informational purposes only. However, if anyone from Julien's Auctions would like them removed, I will do so immediately and without hesitation.
Blueprint Images:
OWNER'S INFO:
Julien's Auctions
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 150
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
http://www.juliensauctions.com/
AUCTION INFO:
Julien's Auction Description: "An identical pair of full scale schematic blue prints with full specifications titled, "Les Paul custom 68 style" and dated April 8, 1968."
EDIT: There is a date which clearly states March '68 in one of the images.
Lot 387 of 745
Lot closed - Winning bid:$21,250
Proven: Original Factory Blueprints Show Goldtop Humbuckers
Rewind back to 1968. Imagine you have been wanting a Les Paul, but they are no longer made. Miraculously, you hear that Gibson is reintroducing both models: The Les Paul Custom and the Les Paul Standard. You can't wait to pick up a humbuckered, Standard model like most of your heros play.... And Gibson releases a P-90 guitar. :) Would leave a bad taste in your mouth, right?* Well I have always felt that this bad taste has contributed to why the collector's market has generally stuck their noses up at LSLP's. So, shock of all shocks, I found proof that Gibson intended to release both models with humbuckers in an estate sale listing for Les' property. The icing on the cake: a small notation on one page stating that LES HIMSELF REQUSTED HUMBUCKERS. How cool is that?
This is a companion section to the Les Paul Custom blueprints in the Period Literature section. ( CLICK HERE TO READ ) The plans are current to April 1968, model 5105. Non-production features are a blank truss rod cover, gold inserts on the reflector knobs, humbuckers, and sharp cornered inlays (ala 50's). The line about humbuckers is in the Specifications image. It reads, "HUM-BUCKING PICKUPS W/CREAM COLORED PLASTIC UNIT COVERS & MOUNTING RINGS PER LES PAUL'S REQUEST." Some Gibson Grande Console steel guitars had cream plastic pickup covers, so maybe that is what Les was after. We'll never know now that he has passed away. See the cropped image below...
Random Note: I wish I had seen this lot before the auction ended as I would have bid on it. I tried contacting the new buyer after the sale but they were not interested in selling one of their copies. If the owner happens to read this, I may still be interested.
* = Disclaimer: I LOVE P-90's too.
PLEASE READ, VERY IMPORTANT:
Julien's Auctions successfully and professionally handled the estate sale for Mr. Paul. In doing so, they publically posted these images on their site. I have heavily watermarked them to ensure their ownership is permanently associated with these images. Please respect Julien's Auctions' property and do not attempt to remove the watermarks. The images are posted here are not for profit and for informational purposes only. However, if anyone from Julien's Auctions would like them removed, I will do so immediately and without hesitation.
Blueprint Images:
OWNER'S INFO:
Julien's Auctions
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 150
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
http://www.juliensauctions.com/
AUCTION INFO:
Julien's Auction Description: "An identical pair of full scale schematic blue prints with full specifications titled, "Les Paul standard 68 model" and dated April 8, 1968."
30" x 49.5"
Lot 416 of 745
Lot closed - Winning bid:$5,312.50
Brochure / Manual #1:
"Les Paul Personal and Professional Guitars"
"The ingenious Les Paul has created, through years of experience and study, the most advanced electronic tonal network available. These unique instruments are capable of producing literally all modern tonalities and will bring forth sounds never before achieved on an electric guitar. Traditional Gibson quality and select materials have contributed to the success of this truly unique instrument."
Click To Enlarge
Brochure / Manual #2:
"Les Paul Bass Guitar"
"The Les Paul Bass is equipped with the most advanced electronic tonal network available today. This unique instrument will produce literally all modern boss tonalities and bring forth soundsnever before achived on an electric bass. This innovative instrument has been produced through endless hours of research by the finest Gibson craftsmen and the most knowledgeable electronic engineers."
Click To Enlarge
Brochure / Manual #3:
"Presenting the Monster"
"The new Gibson 'Les Paul' amp not only grabs you...it shakes you! This all new concept in amplifiers puts out 190 watts of might mean power That's RMS clean, clear power...not peak."
Click To Enlarge