I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.
R.E.M. : Lifes Rich Pageant A1 / B1 1st Press 1986

This first pressing is stunning!  The sonic quality is quite simply on another level and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is second to none and I only heard 3/4 very quiet statics.  There is basically no interference, it could not sound any better, and it clearly has not been played very much.  The vinyl is in lovely condition also with only some of the usual faint hairlines.

In my opinion this is a top quality album where all the tracks are so strong.  Why the music critic Robert Christgau was critical of it at the time of release of release I do not know.  He said it didn't really progress from their earlier albums but how wrong could he be!  There is a definite change in production, a harder edge to the music and Stipe's vocal is a lot more confident and much higher in the mix.  But then I have noticed he is critical of a lot of albums!

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the printed inner sleeve just has a little spotting on one side.

MIRF 1014  A//1▽420 T  1 1 1  Bilbo Tape One (etched)
MIRF 1014  B//1▽420 T  Bilbo Tape One (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The printed inner is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines and the I.R.S labels are in great condition with only hardly any spindle wear.

Play grading

'Begin The Begin' plays with a clarity, depth and power that cannot be faulted.  There is no background and Mint is very much deserved.

'These Days' plays with even more power but there is no distortion on the top end.  Again there is no intrusion on the audio apart from a couple of minor statics on the fade out.  Mint-

'Fall On Me' has a couple of mega quiet statics on the intro and then plays beautifully from then on with no interference.  A stunning Mint- version at the very least.

'Cuyahoga' again shows how well this vinyl has been preserved.  Through every section it plays with outstanding sonic quality - what a listen!  Mint

'Hyena' is the same.  Tremendous power and definition and... Mint

'Underneath The Bunker' completes the side with sublime clarity and no interference.  Mint

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'The Flowers Of Guatemala' is another stunning track!  The quieter verses play with impeccable clarity and the louder passages plays with genuine depth and power.  All I heard was one very quiet tick, you could easily miss it.  Mint-

'I Believe' is R.E.M. at its very best.  An 'out of this world' track that plays 'as new'.  Mint

'What If We Give It Away' provides more evidence of an album so well produced.  It helps of course when the vinyl is so clean!  A wonderful Mint version.

'Just A Touch' plays with STUNNING power and clarity with no background.  Again the sonic quality here is just on another planet!  Incredible definition and... Mint

'Swan Swan H' keeps up the standard and plays with imperious quality throughout.  Mint

'Superman' ends this classic album with audio that could not be any more impressive.  There is no inner groove distortion and the clarity, depth and power of the audio is flawless.  The definitive version.  Mint

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the spine has only a handful of minor specks.  The corners have no obvious wear and the opening edge is pristine.  The front cover is so clean with no marking and the back cover has just a little fading along the top edge and down the right hand side but no other marking.  I'm tempted to say Near Mint- but I think Ex+ is definitely a good indication of how good this cover is.
The printed inner sleeve has no side splits or tears but does have a little spotting on the credits side.
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

MIRF 1014  A//1▽420 T  1 1 1  Bilbo Tape One (etched)
MIRF 1014  B//1▽420 T  Bilbo Tape One (etched)

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!

One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!