Sold Date: April 24, 2018
Start Date: April 17, 2018
Final Price: £11.51 (GBP)
Bid Count: 8
Seller Feedback: 36
Buyer Feedback: 40

Artist: The Smiths
Album: Strangeways, Here We Come
Label: Rough Trade – Rough 106
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, First Press
Country: UK
Release Date: 1987

A VG+ first press copy of The Smiths’ 4th and final LP, ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’. To be honest, I’ve only played it about three times so the condition is pretty much the same as when I bought it (Near-Mint). As an original 1987 first press copy, it features embossed silver titles on the cover and a glossy inner sleeve with lyrics.

Both Marr and Moz cited Strangeways as the best album they ever recorded and it's hard to disagree. It features some of the band’s best-loved tracks, including ‘Girlfriend In A Coma’,‘Stop Me If You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before’, and ‘Death Of A Disco Dancer’. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a first press copy in finer condition.

Vinyl Condition: Very Good+

When I bought the LP, it was labelled as being in Near-Mint condition. I’m reluctant to list it as NM now because I've played it a few times and there are a couple of very fine hairline scratches on it. These don’t affect play in any way. As well as the printed inner sleeve, I shall deliver the LP in a Nagaoka No. 102 Anti-Static Sleeve.

Cover Condition: Very Good+

The cover and inner sleeve are in seriously top-notch condition. Seeing as how I’ve handled it a few times, I think it’s only right that I list the condition as very good+ as opposed to near-mint. I have kept the record in a plastic sleeve which I shall deliver it in for safe-keeping and protection.

Grading System Explained

Mint: Vinyl is in perfect condition and has never been played. Sleeve is sealed/unopened. This grade is only issued to records that are, quite literally, as good as new. We're talking 'fresh out of the pressing plant' quality.

Near Mint: Vinyl is almost perfect. The likelihood is that the record has never played. However, it has probably been taken out of its sleeve and handled. Sleeve has likely been opened but is in near perfect condition.

Very Good+: Small signs of play and handling, such as slight scuff marks. These won't taint enjoyment of the record in any way and the record will play perfectly from start to finish. Cover may have very light signs of wear.

Very Good: Surface noise evident upon playing, particularly during soft passages of play, intros and fades. There are likely to be light scratches on the record. Cover and sleeve may have sticker residue marks or writing on them.

Good / Good+: Surface noise, scratches and groove wear is evident. However, record plays through without skipping. Sleeve may have seam splits,most notably at the bottom and on the spine.

Poor / Fair: The record is cracked, badly warped and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The cover is so damaged that it hardly keeps the record inside it. Inner sleeves are split at the bottom and sides.