RARE, U.K. 1992 EPIC Limited Tour Edition Double RED VINYL L.P. pressing of Rage Against the Machine’s Self-Titled album (Catalogue Reference: EPIC 12-472224-20).  This album appears to have been bootlegged on various coloured vinyls but this is a legitimate, original issue.  It contains a bonus red vinyl 12” featuring live and remixed tracks.  The original album is also pressed on red vinyl (which is intriguingly thinner than the bonus 12”!).  The vinyl labels explicitly state that the records were pressed in the U.K. which in reality means the quality is superior to the contemporary European (i.e. German) pressings which tended to be very thin and flimsy.  The sleeve is a thinly-laminated, single affair with a broad spine to house the records.  The sleeve retains a large sticker on the front advertising the fact that the set is a ‘Limited Tour Edition’.  I would guess this was also manufactured in the U.K.  This is the only copy of this set I have ever seen and while not in perfect condition it is fairly obvious that the records have seen only limited play (I’d guess a couple of times apiece).

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / VG+ (SLEEVE): As I will go into detail below the base of the sleeve appears to have got wet at some point in time.  This dampness also extended onto the plain white inner sleeves meaning that when the records are viewed under an intense light there is a section on each of the four sides which features a thin layer of encrusted dirt.  This is nothing major and could easily be removed.  In reality it is obvious that these records haven’t been played in a very, very long time.  I’d hazard a guess that each record has seen a couple of play (judging by a couple of spindle ‘drags’ around the spindle holes).  The surfaces really shine and there are no obvious marks.  Under an intense light there is the odd, fine hairline mark with the bulk of the surfaces (even with the thin layer of encrusted dirt) being mark-free.  Once the thin layer of dirt has been removed both pieces of vinyl are solid EX+ territory.  Aside from the odd, light spindle ‘drag’ visible under an intense light the labels are immaculate and have not reacted to the damp (which labels are often wont to do).  The most obvious flaws with this set relate to the sleeve.  The sleeve is a long, long way from being wrecked however, there is damage to the base of the sleeve on both the front and back.  On the front there is residue (which is perhaps hard to see in the attached images and isn’t all that obvious in real-life) of where another sleeve was clearly stuck to the front.  It has not actually damaged the integrity of the sleeve and if you’re patient could be removed (but it will take time).  The same issue of the sleeve having been stuck to another cover occurs on the rear but it has caused an obvious tear which I have captured in the attached images.  There are a couple of less obvious tears in the vicinity and again a little residue of the sleeve which was formally attached.  The sleeve has a very slight ripple effect to the base but this isn’t overly obvious.  There is minor fraying to each corner and some small creasing along the spine.  On the rear there is a two-inch crease in the top right-hand corner which largely follows the outline of the record.  Ultimately, this is still a solid example of a rare set.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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