U2 Rattle And Hum LP 1988 Island Records 91003 (VG+ Vinyl) Gatefold 1st Pressing

COVER IS IN VG++ / Excellent CONDITION

RECORDS are IN VG++ / Excellent CONDITION

ALL RECORDS ONLY VISUAL GRADES 

Mint (M)   Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.(More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.
Near Mint (NM)   A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly)that no record is ever truly perfect. 

The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. 

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. 

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap. 

Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.
Excellent (EX)  A Excellent (EX) record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. 

Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". 

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. 

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. 
In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Excellent (EX) record highly acceptable.

Very Good+ (VG+)  Many of the defects found in a EX record will be more pronounced in a VG+ disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches 

Covers may have a small amount of writing, Slight seam splits and tears to the spine edges.The same will be true of inner sleeves. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them. 

Very Good (VG) Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be much more evident upon playing, Groove wear and lose of gloss, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. 

Covers may of writing, Large seam splits and tears to the spine edges.Ring Wear will be very visible.The same will be true of inner sleeves.  
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)   Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). 

A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. 

It is a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade.

Poor (P), Fair (F)   The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon.