Depeche Mode A Broken Frame ORIG U.K. 1982 1st Press L.P. A1/B1 + Inner VG+/EX

	£		18
	$		24

Original U.K. 1982 Mute Records L.P. pressing of Depeche Mode’s second album ‘A Broken Frame’ (Catalogue Reference: Mute Records STUMM 9).  This is the 1st U.K. pressing of this album with ‘A-1’ and ‘B-1’ matrixes.  The pressing is relatively weighty and of a high quality (it looks like a UK as opposed to continental pressing).  It is stored in an ultra-thin paper lyric inner sleeve.  The outer sleeve is a thin, single affair which is lightly laminated.  This came with a group of contemporary promotional pressings (although I should say there is no indication this is a promo copy) and I’m fairly confident it has seen little play.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (INNER SLEEVE) / VG+ (SLEEVE): I don’t believe this copy has seen much play although the surfaces are a little dirty and dusty.  Isolated patches of encrusted dirt are evident around the rim of the record and I’d advise a light sympathetic clean before play.  There are no obvious marks.  Under an intense light limited, ultra-fine hairline marks are present.  These are a by-product of the thin paper inner sleeve clinging to the vinyl whilst it was withdrawn.  The surfaces retain a decent sheen and it is obvious this copy hasn’t seen heavy play.  The inner sleeve is in fine condition considering how thin and flimsy it is.  This is the type of inner which you only have to touch and it gets damaged.  The vinyl has started to breakthrough on one side.  The vinyl has left a light impression in the inner which stops short of actual creasing.  I would say that finding a perfect copy of such an inner is next to impossible.  The outer sleeve displays a little more wear than the rest of the package but I’d still say my VG+ grade is on the conservative side.  Ultimately, the sleeve is solid.  The most noticeable flaws are to the bottom right-hand corner with a ‘dig’ to the opening edge of the sleeve having caused a bend to the opening edge on the front and small tears (a couple of millimetres apiece) on the rear (please see attached images).  Each of the corners displays a little wear with light fraying to the top left-hand corner on the front and the bottom left-hand corner has been knocked which has resulted in a ‘stubbed’ appearance.  Otherwise the sleeve is pretty flat and only displays minimal ring-wear.  If you angle the sleeve under an intense light the letter ‘S’ can be seen impressed into the front of the sleeve in three places.  Overall, this is a very solid copy of this L.P.!

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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