George Michael—Faith (1987), original 1st US vinyl LP, fully tested—PLEASE READ

$

26

My history with this item: I bought this item pre-owned (or used) from a library in the late 2000s at a very, very cheap price, but it wasn't used formerly as a library item apparently, despite a residue mark, which was of a price tag done by a library. More like "family and friends of" or "friends of" the library donated this item for bargain sale.

About this item: This is the USA/US edition of the album Faith (1987) by George Michael, manufactured and printed in the USA by Columbia Records. One of early vinyl pressings. NOT a re-release or remaster.
One thing for sure: this release LACKS bonus tracks that CD and later editions contain, like "A Last Request (I Want Your Sex), Part III".
The album has yet to see another vinyl release that is still in-stock or coming soon. Currently available on CD and digital services, like streaming ones (e.g. Spotify). Nonetheless, this listing is a legit vinyl copy of the album.
This listing has NO lyric insert and NO hype sticker and NO factory shrink wrap, unfortunately. At least there are the outer and inner sleeves, both intended for this edition. And there is still the vinyl.
Again, NOT one of vinyl re-releases, NOT even the 2010s limited edition. This pressing was done by one of Columbia Records's manufacturing plants in more likely Carrollton. This Carrollton(?) pressing variant contains the below matrix/runout numbers:

• Side 1: AL-40867-1D G1 <some scribble/symbol?>D24 ↑
• Side 2: BL-40867-1B G1 I16

Conditions of paper-ish accessories of this item: Conditions of this item's accessories (or whatever that's left in this listing) are still intact. Unsure whether I call them "good" or "very good", but I wouldn't say "excellent".
The outer sleeve is NOT horrendously damaged, but the back sleeve has some marks or wear. The left side of the outer sleeve has no damages yet. Conditions of the outer sleeve might vary, depending on delivery and time of arrival. As I can assure you, when I send this item, the conditions of the sleeve should be (almost?) the same as what I am describing now.
Vinyl labels are still intact without major damages.
The original inner sleeve (inlay?) is still intact, but a big stain on the artist/musician photo side can be seen. Furthermore, left and right edges have openings ranging from one to two inches. The bottom of the inlay(?) has no openings... yet. Conditions might vary, depending on delivery and at arrival. I really hope the inner sleeve isn't damaged further by the time I'm sending the whole item.
The inner sleeve is paper... but glossy-ish. Manufacturer-made, not a fake or anything like that!

The vinyl record itself: For casual audio experience, recently fully played/tested on a Bluetooth turntable twice: first without headphones, second with them. No skips during tracks and interval breaks, thankfully. Audio still intact and enjoyable to hear, even with quiet or normal static noises and quiet pops. Audio experience may vary, depending on turntable and condition of vinyl at arrival.
There were some dust around the record and some spots (maybe dust?). Fortunately, after fully testing the vinyl twice, I was able to use a microfiber cloth to clean the dust out, especially with the turntable spinning the record. I didn't heavily press hard on the vinyl with a cloth, especially in attempt to avoid damaging the record. The vinyl might catch dust again. If you like, I'll re-clean the dust out per your request soon before sending the whole item out.
There might be invisible scratches (seen by your own naked eye). Again, the vinyl is fully playable still. Furthermore, the scratches themselves are very hard to see on photos I provide, but they still haven't caused the stylus to skip around a groove. Of course, relationship between your available stylus and the grooves might vary, but I really hope no skips at the next playback.
May need anti-static gun or another anti-static item if static is your major concern, especially if you wanna preserve your stylus and enjoy a high-quality audio, like an audiophile. Speaking of that...
***MORE DETAILS BELOW FOR AUDIOPHILIC EXPERIENCE***
For audiophilic experience, the vinyl might or might not need possible cleaning, basic or advanced. Unsure how dirty the vinyl is now.
When I fully played the vinyl recently on a Bluetooth turntable, the record still works and has no apparent skips. Nonetheless, I hear vocal hissing or static, and possibly a few pops, primarily on Side 1, but they haven't yet detracted my joy of the vinyl record.
Side 1: fully playable still; no skips! Audio still intact and easily heard, despite various experiences with tracks.

1. "Faith" – Started using a portable bluetooth speaker. Static or pops heard when starting, but then they lessen when music starts and then continues.
2. "Father Figure" – static noise sounds quiet at start; sorta whispers... and then becomes more minimal as track continues.
3. "I Want Your Sex, Pt. I" – same as #2
4. "I Want Your Sex, Pt. II" – still hear static if your ears are good to hear them, but static isn't too loud but rather quiet and whispery. Or (almost?) same as #2
5. "One More Try" – Audio still tolerable, despite hearable static after switching to headphones. In middle and toward the end, audio still good in stereo, but vocals sound as if I'm hearing aging yet workable and hearable speakers. Maybe grooves are dirty, or static must've interfered?

I heard less hissing or static on Side 2 than what I heard on Side 1, but maybe I could be wrong.
Side 2: same as Side 1

1. "Hard Day" – static heard till the track begins. static becomes quieter and harder to hear when track plays further.
2. "Hand to Mouth" – static quieter when track plays than previous track.
3. "Look at Your Hands" – static also quieter, like previous track. Music still good to hear, but loud vocals sound iffy or.... I don't know how else to describe them (see Side 1, Track 5).
4. "Monkey" – vocals and music clearer than previous track. either loud music makes static much harder to hear, or I couldn't hear static much. vocals toward the end sounds similar to previous track.
5. "Kissing a Fool" – music clear. vocal still good, but issue similar to other tracks, especially #3 of this side.

Conditions and audio experience of the vinyl might vary, depending on delivery and arrival. As I can assure, the conditions of the vinyl record should be (almost?) the same as what I'm describing now when I send the item.
***MORE DETAILS ABOVE FOR AUDIOPHILIC EXPERIENCE***

How the whole item (seen in photos) can be shipped: For a single-item shipping, will write "FRAGILE" (or alternatively use a red "FRAGILE" sticker if I can afford it) on a mailer. Speaking of mailer, it will be a surprise! I'll reveal if you ask and win this item.
For combo shipping, please request first before paying if you win another vinyl from me. I won't reveal much about the mailer of combo shipping, so you might be surprised! And I'll tell you via eBay email/chat if you ask and win at least two vinyls from me.

My disclaimer about shipping and handling: I shall NOT be held responsible for the item damages on the vinyl record done from the time after you pick it up at arrival. Furthermore, I WON'T accept returns of this item, which shall belong to whoever wins AND pays for it.
Nonetheless, I really hope the vinyl record is shipped and handled carefully and safely amid delivery. Furthermore, I hope it's not damaged by time of arrival.

Final note to bidders: Fans of George Michael, fans of Wham!, lovers of vinyl, and lovers of vinyl who are capable of storing and preserving vinyl records very well, place your bids if you desire to have the whole item I have now and to clean and/or fix the vinyl!

On Mar-23-24 at 11:50:45 PDT, seller added the following information:

Post-editing update: I was able to obtain a No-Static® inner record sleeve (marked as "archival quality"). While shipping, the outer and inner sleeves are separate from each other, i.e. inner not within the outer, and the vinyl record will be in the No-Static® inner sleeve. Furthermore, the whole item (separately, the inner and outer sleeves, and the vinyl record within the No-Static® sleeve) will be bubble wrapped.