RARE, Original 2001 European/German Warner Bros. Records L.P. pressing of REM’s ‘Reveal’ (Catalogue Reference: 9362-47946-1).  As far as I’m aware this was manufactured in Germany for the European market (as opposed to being for the German market alone).  This is the 1st pressing featuring ‘A1/B1’ matrixes.  The pressing is surprisingly weighty for a German pressing of this period and is certainly weightier than the pressings churned out from the mid-80s to mid-90s.  The sleeve is pretty cheap and flimsy and contains a thin lyric sheet.  This is pretty damn rare on vinyl and would only have been pressed in limited quantities.  This was my personal copy and it is going because I never bothered playing it however, it had clearly seen some play before coming into my possession.  The sleeve and lyric sheet are pretty immaculate while the vinyl displays a little wear.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (LYRIC SHEET) / EX+ (SLEEVE): This has sat in storage for an extended time meaning there is a very slight musty smell to the vinyl and the inside of the sleeve.  There is a limited volume of fine encrusted dirt visible in places on the surfaces which is perhaps the most noticeable flaw with the vinyl.  The vinyl could do with a light, sympathetic cleaan before play.  There are no obvious marks and it is obvious this copy has never seen heavy play as despite the limited encrusted dirt the vinyl retains a great sheen.  Grading under an intense light a limited volume of ultra-fine, wispy hairline marks are visible.  Considering how thin and flimsy the lyric sheet is it is surprising it doesn’t display more wear.  The only real evidence of handling is when the sheet is angled under an intense light and then a light layer of encrusted dirt is just about visible.  Considering how thin the outer sleeve is it is remarkable that it remains as crisp as it is.  The vinyl has left a faint impression in places which stops well short of actual creasing.  The is a very slight suggestion that the vinyl has attempted to come through the top of the sleeve at some point in time but has failed to do so.  There is one minor crease near the opening edge on the front where the sleeve has been gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl was removed.  This is a fine example of this rare REM LP!

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.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.

FreeAuctionDesigns