Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables ORIG UK 1980 LP + Poster VG+/EX

	£		20
	$		26

ORIGINAL, U.K. 1980 Cherry Red Records 1st Pressing(?) L.P. of the Dead Kennedys ‘Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables’ album (Catalogue Reference: Cherry Red Records B RED 10).  I believe this is a 1st pressing of this.  The heads of the band members on the rear of the sleeve are intact.  The list of available records at the base of the sleeve on the rear does not include ‘Kill the Poor’.  The statements ‘IS LIFE AS BORING AS YOU ARE??’  and ‘DO YOU DESERVE TO LIVE??’ are written in the Side One and Side Two matrixes (respectively).  This appears to be a Lyntone pressing.  The best way of describing the pressing is that it looks like a contemporary Virgin pressing.  Many Cherry Red pressing are of a poor quality as they were pressed cheaply on the continent but that is not the case here, this is a reasonably decent quality pressing.  The record is stored inside the original (and rare) Cherry Red label bag.  This set retains it’s large, double-sided, fold-out poster.  All this sits inside a relatively cheap and thin, single card sleeve.  This is my personal copy which is going because I’ve never bothered playing it however, it was purchased secondhand and had clearly seen use before coming into my possession.  These punk records generally don’t survive in great condition and yet despite the use this item has seen it remains in solid condition.

CONDITION: EX-/EX (VINYL) / EX (CHERRY RED LABEL BAG) / EX (FOLD-OUT POSTER) / VG+ (SLEEVE): Like all my items this has been graded under an intense light.  The first thing I would say is that the record could benefit from a light, sympathetic clean as it clearly hasn’t been played in decades and displays a small amount of encrusted dirt.  There are no obvious marks however, a limited volume of ultra-fine hairline marks are visible under an intense light and there is a minimal amount of groove-wear evident in places.  Spindle ‘drags’ are evident around the spindle hole but not excessively so.  The labels are otherwise in fine condition.  The original Cherry Red label bag is pretty crisp and clearly hasn’t seen much handling.  Crucially, the record hasn’t broken through the label bag.  The fold-out poster is also in fine condition with no indication that it has ever been fastened to a wall and little evidence of handling.  Like CRASS poster sleeves, these things did tend to see use and if they turn-up at all are often damaged, ripped, display holes from pins etc.  I’d say the sleeve is probably the weakest part of this package but that is not to say that it isn’t still in solid condition, it is simply that the construction is quite cheap and it is therefore much more vulnerable to the ravages of age.  Each of the corners displays relatively substantial wear which includes a small split to the bottom right-hand opening edge (measuring a couple of millimetres).  I note in the corresponding position on the rear of the sleeve that there is a suggestion that this corner has got damp at some point (not particularly obvious) and this might have caused this damage.  There is general wear around all the edges although it should be noted that all the spine information is still clearly visible.  The record has attempted to come through the top of the sleeve but hasn’t quite managed it.  Ring-wear is evident on the front of the sleeve but I should note that aside from the spine, the sleeve is pretty much crease-free.  Ultimately, this is a solid example of the original U.K. issue!

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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