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 generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

R.E.M. : Monster 1-A / 1-B 1st Press (Europe) 1994

This first pressing was pressed in Germany (there was no UK issue) and it plays with stunning quality all the way through.  S1 is incredible and S2 has only a couple of ticks, one of them could arguably be called a click but it is very quiet I hasten to add.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is sensational and it would be difficult to find a better version.

The cover is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear and the inner sleeve is in superb order with barely any wear.  A stunning example all round.

The first pressing has a 1A / 1B matrix and the cover has an embossed 'W' (Warner) on the back.  

WMME Alsdorf 936 245740-1-A Hü 5

WMME Alsdorf 936 245740-1-BX Hü 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 & T5 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a strong glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see a small number of faint hairlines and one on S1 that is a little longer but is still very faint.  The labels are very clean with hardly any spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2.

Play grading

The intro on 'What's The Frequency, Kenneth?' plays perfectly and the first verse and chorus are just as strong.  It continues in the same way with a clarity and power that could not be any more impressive.  Easily a Mint start to the album.

'Crush With Eyeliner' keeps up this fine start and plays with phenomenal audio through every vocal and instrumental section.  The only thing keeping it from a Mint grade is a small number of minor statics on the fade out.  Mint-

'King Of Comedy' and 'I Don't Sleep, I Dream' again show how well this record has been cared for.  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is stunning and Mint is well deserved.

The powerful 'Star 69' plays with, well great power and no interference.  I never really cared much for this track but having now heard it on vinyl for the time I appreciate it a lot more, that's vinyl for you!  No intrusion, just pure Mint audio from start to finish.

The gentle intro on 'Strange Currencies' is perfect as is Stipe's opening vocal section.  A superb track it continues to play with such clear sound for a final track.  Mint all the way.

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The piano intro on 'Tongue' plays beautifully with only a couple of very quiet statics and the opening vocal has no interference.  From then on there is a lot to admire!  For a relatively quiet track the clarity is stunning and there is nothing that gets in the way of the audio.  A handful of barely audible statics so I will say Mint- but even that could be considered a little harsh.

'Bang And Blame' is so close to perfect with just one very quiet tick in the second verse.  The 'separate' instrumental that closes the track has a couple of minor static ticks so overall I will grade as Near Mint

'I Took Your Name' plays with exceptional power and definition with no sign of any intrusion.  The sonic quality here is superb, no faults whatsoever.  Mint

In my opinion 'Let Me In' is a stonewall classic and it plays with STUNNING quality through every section.  Mills' guitar (not Buck!) is so strong here, out-grunging the best of them!  An outstanding track, dripping with power and emotion despite the decibel level and MINT is the only grade I can give.  It demands to be played loud!

'Circus Envy' has just one light dull tick / mega light click on the intro but otherwise plays with perfect clarity.  A 'busy' track and yet you lose nothing, every note is so clean and precise.  Near Mint

'You' ends the album with high end audio once more.  Another busy track the clarity of sound is stunning, all the more so when you consider it is the final track on the album.  No background apart from a touch of very light static on the quiet end piece so I will say Mint-

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The edges have very little rubbing and the spine remains very clean with minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are similar, very minor wear.  The opening edge has only 2/3 faint 'crimps' and the front cover has only a handful of faint spots near the top edge and some faint abrasive lines that you can only see at a certain angle.  The back cover is superb with no wear at all.  A fine example overall.

The printed inner sleeve is near perfect with no marking and very little creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

WMME Alsdorf 936 245740-1-A Hü 5

WMME Alsdorf 936 245740-1-BX Hü 5

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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 : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 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!!