(...) I am not sure about 1977 but I do believe that LEGO did use shrink wrap plastic on a lot of older sets. For example this one: (URL) is in fact dated 1977... I have a copy that has shrink wrap on it. (...) (25 years ago, 1-Feb-00, to lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade)
(...) Yes, I'm sure about it. You can find many smaller sets which are wrapped in plastic from the late seventies. A very good way to preserve the box from dust and shelfwear. Giulio (25 years ago, 1-Feb-00, to lugnet.market.buy-sell-trade)