Shriekback Oil and Gold ORIG 1985 European Arista Test Press EX/EX+

	£		20
	$		26

VERY RARE, Original European 1985 White Label L.P. Test Pressing of Shriekback’s ‘Oil and Gold’ album (Catalogue Reference: 207 206).  The catalogue reference indicates that this is the Arista Records European pressing.  The catalogue reference is written in blue ink in the top left-hand corner of the plain white card sleeve and is also scratched into the dead wax of the vinyl (‘207206 A-1’ & ‘207206 B-1’).  The matrixes also indicate this was mastered at the ‘Townhouse’ however, the vinyl is clearly a German pressing.  They also confirm that this is the 1st pressing.  This is a typical mid-80s German pressing of the kind that Sire and WEA were issuing at the time.  This means it is of high quality but relatively thin and flexible.  The labels are standard German white labels of the period with the artist’s name written in blue ink diagonally across the edge of the A-Side label (the B-Side label is blank).  The record is stored inside the original poly-lined paper sleeve.  As noted above - The record sits inside the original plain white card sleeve with the artist’s name, record title, catalogue number and release date (‘28th June’) written in blue ink in the top left-hand corner.  It is very hard to find white label pressings in this kind of condition.  The sleeve displays a little wear but it is obvious that the record has likely only been played once.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX (SLEEVE): I’d be really surprised if this copy had seen more than a single play.  Upon withdrawing the vinyl from the poly-lined inner sleeve it is immediately obvious it has never seen heavy play.  The surfaces retain a great sheen and remain clean.  There is a spindle ‘drag’ around the spindle-hole on the B-Side label and a much smaller spindle mark just about visible on the A-Side label which suggest to me a single play.  There are no obvious marks here but like all my items this has been graded under an intense light.  There is a light ‘scuff’ which manifests itself as a concentration of fine hairline marks on the edge of the playing surface on the B-Side.  This is really why I have not graded above EX+.  Otherwise only the odd, ultra-fine hairline mark is present.  It really is rare to see test pressings in this kind of condition.  The plain white cardboard sleeve displays a little more wear but remains in very solid condition.  Perhaps the most obvious flaw is some staining to the spine which is visible in equal measure on both sides of the sleeve.  While not anywhere near as obvious there is light brown staining from handling (fingerprints) to both sides of the sleeve when it is angled under an intense light.  This is essentially small spots of encrusted dirt.  The sleeve is pretty flat although each corner has received a knock with the knock to the bottom right-hand corner having resulted in a crease in the corresponding position on the rear of the sleeve.  The knock to the top right-hand corner has resulted in a much smaller crease just about visible in this corner on the front of the sleeve.  There is a suggestion of ring-wear.  Ultimately, this is a fine example and a rare opportunity to buy one of the earliest pressings of this record.

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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