Definitely two distinct possibilities. As we've talked about before, despite all the great material that FTD has given us over the years, there has to be a finite end to the label when they simply don't have anything else to release. Of course, we've already talked (in other threads) about how much longer the label can continue on, but at some point, there just won't be anything left in the vaults that Ernst deems worthy of release and that will be the end of FTD Records.
So you may be right, that something like the opening night '69 show is being held for a swan-song style ending to the label (perhaps the EOT material as well?). Or perhaps they simply don't have the tape...
perhaps the picture Ken posted is just the tape box, but the tape itself is missing? Certainly not out of the realm of possibility, considering there are several tapes that RCA has boxes for with no tape in them.
TCB!
Mike