Sold Date: August 13, 2023
Start Date: August 6, 2023
Final Price: $36.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 12
Seller Feedback: 5175
Buyer Feedback: 163

Up for bid is a 2017 double vinyl pressing of Iron Maiden's 2006 album "A Matter of Life and Death." This album was issued in the USA on double vinyl in 2017 as part of the band's Legacy of the Beast reissues campaign, and this one looks fantastic. "A Matter of Life or Death" is a standout album among Maiden's post-2000 releases. The album artwork is fantastic too.

Though mildly used, this double vinyl gatefold LP set has been well maintained and comes complete with custom inner sleeves and original Legacy of the Beast hype sticker. I have decided to downsize my collection for the sake of space, so I am letting this album go. I would love to see it go to a fellow Maiden fan who will appreciate the album as I have.  

While this album is not new, I am the lone owner and I seldom played this album as I typically listen to music through HD audio. Therefore, the album remains in great condition, but that does not mean it is without flaw. The vinyl does show some minor sleeve abraisions, dust, and fingerprints--all minor imperfections that do not inhibit the play of the record. Likewise, the outer jacket has some faint storage wear but certainly nothing that detracts from the overall look of the album. All in all, the aforementioned imperfections are minor, but I wouldn't want a buyer to expect a perfect record. With the aforementioned imperfections in mind, I conservatively rate this double album (vinyl records and jacket) as being in overall VERY GOOD+ CONDITION.

I am a fan like so many of you, so I want  your experience with me to be a satisfactory one. I don't want anyone to be disappointed with their purchase, so please study the accompanying pictures so you can see and assess the exact item up for sale. 

Feel free to reach out if you have questions, and please check out my other auctions for additional vinyl titles including other Iron Maiden records. Assuming items will fit in a single package, I will gladly combine multiple auction purchases into a single shipping container to save on overall shipping charges. Finally, I ship vinyl records double boxed for maximum protection. I place the album in a standard record mailer, and then I place that box inside a 13x13x3 outer box for added protection. I am all too familiar with the misfortune of having mail carriers fail to treat vinyl packages with care, so I do my best to neutralize a mail carrier's potential carelessness. 

Disclaimer: 

I make no claims as being qualified to rate records, so please bear in mind when reading my descriptions that I am an amateur. I am a music fan who has collected vinyl, CDs, and memoribilia for a long time. I am not, however, a record-collecting expert. Therefore, I rely on information from seasoned collectors, and I use Goldmine's rating system to inform my assessments. The Goldmind Record Guide provides the following standards for assessing condition:

Goldmine Record Rating Standards:

Mint (M)

Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all. 

Near Mint (NM or M-)

A nearly perfect record. A NM- record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. 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 any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc. 

Very Good Plus (VG+) 

A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. 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. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. 

Very Good (VG) 

Many of the defects found in a VG+ 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 (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time. Goldmine price guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price.  

Good (G), Good Plus (G+) 

A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback. 

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 split, crinkled, and written upon.