Sold Date: September 12, 2024
Start Date: May 17, 2024
Final Price: $42.27 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3516
Buyer Feedback: 0

This pressing is true first Japanese pressing with the blue and black OBI along with no MJ credits.  This is the real deal and if Thriller is one your favorites (it's one of mine and I have a copy of this same pressing) this is the pressing to have. Vinyl was play tested through Focal Elegia's and it played as NM- on the B-side and NM on the A-side.  On the B-side it was more NM- on B1 and B5 and more like NM on the other tracks.  Visually it's really close to NM- anyway however the hairlines are driving the EX rating.  Finally, if you're wondering why I'm listing the issues on the B-side first, let me recommend that you play the B-side first (even if you're just looking, try it on your own) so that the album closes with Thriller. It's perfect and you'll love it. 
The sleeve is scored as EX and more in the lower to mid range of that spectrum (it's 100% better than VG+) with the most noticeable issue being the bump within the bottom left corner (whatever got it, got the OBI too). The other corners all show lesser light wear. You almost won't notice it unless you really look however, particularly within the white suit, you can see a number of very small discoloration spots (there is no mold smell, I checked a couple of different times) and you'll really only see them if you angle the cover back and forth. Within the front two more issues you almost won't see are 'rubs' within the top right area (they are about 1.5mm wide) and run almost to the half way point (you have to go out of your way looking for them). On the front top gatefold there are a couple of tiny color chip spots (longest is 2mm). On the rear, running in from the spine is a 19mm crease (to the right of the first track title) and on angles you can see very faint ring wear. Within the gatefold top left and right are areas of faint discoloration rubbing. The OBI is off and probably not getting back on unless you break the seal and reglue it.  Beyond being off it shows a fair amount of wrinkle wear most noticeably along the bottom left corner. The insert shows light wear as well and noticeably on the color insert (with the orange and yellow Thriller) there are finger print smudges (the prior owner certainly looked through the book) and the non-color insert shows only light wear. Numerically it's a solid 85 (I start VG+ at 82). I've really picked it apart and at arms length, on the right angle, it essentially looks perfect.
Album will be mailed in a cardboard mailer between cardboard with bubble wrap.  If you have any questions please let me know and thanks for looking!