Elvis Costello 45 b/w My Mood Swings RARE 2002 European Mercury Records 45 EX+

	£		16
	$		21

RARE, Original European 2002 Mercury Records 45 pressing of Elvis Costello’s ’45’ backed with ‘My Mood Swings’ (Catalogue Reference: Mercury Records 0639157/LC00268).  This saw only a limited issue.  I believe this was a promotional copy because it came with another record which was a promotional item.  The other reason why I believe it to be a promotional copy is because it is un-numbered and the issue which was made available to the public was numbered (I believe).  You can see the space where the number was meant to sit in the top right-hand corner on the rear in the attached images.  The item consists of a decent, thick vinyl pressing which is stored directly in a pretty thick card sleeve.  The item indicates it was pressed in the ‘EU’ however, I think it is likely that this is a British pressing for the U.K. market.  This is a stunning copy and I would guess I was the first person to play this for the purposes of grading for this auction.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX+ (SLEEVE): As noted above - I would think I was the first person to play this.  It is certainly very obvious that this has never seen heavy play.  I played this because there is a small area on the B-Side run-in which displays some fine marks which appear to have depth to them.  The 45 is stored directly in the card sleeve and these marks are a result of a little grit getting in the sleeve.  I could hear limited impact in the background on the first few rotations and so I can say it is nothing to worry about.  This is the reason I’ve graded the 45 as ‘EX+’.  The surfaces really shine with only the odd, fine hairline mark visible under an intense light.  The sleeve is really quite crisp and like the vinyl has obviously not been handled much.  While not obvious there is a slight bend to the top right-hand corner on the front of the sleeve.  There is a very small tear to the top edge of the sleeve on the rear which I have tried to capture in the attached images.  There is nothing else to say really.  A lovely copy of a very rare 45 which was pressed in only very limited numbers.

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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