REM Radio Free Europe **HibTone TEST PRESSING**
$
899
$ 899
Sold For
Mar 29, 2010
Sold Date
Mar 22, 2010
Start Date
$ 30
Start price
22
Number Of Bids
Japan
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
Background:
For sale is one of the Holy Grails of REM collecting - a genuine test pressing of their first release on HibTone Record, “Radio Free Europe”, Catalog # HT-0001.The HibTone single itself is legendary and, due to its rarity, earlier pressings can sell for hundreds of dollars. A test pressing like this is pretty much impossible to find.
I acquired this one in 1995 in a (pre-Ebay) auction by the (now defunct) Graveyard Records in Georgia. When I purchased it, the proprietor, Mark Vaquer, saw fit to include an official “Affidavit of Authenticity” (see photo) guaranteeing the record and its provenance, and this of course will be included with the record.
Around 10 years ago, I was able to get in touch by e-mail with Jonny Hibbert, the founder of HibTone, to ask about this disc. After confirming some identifying aspects of the disc, here what he said:
“I think you've got a gem of a collector's piece there. Wish I had it…How in the WORLD did you get it? I wonder who could have gotten their hands on it. It had to have been in the possession of one of the band members, or Jefferson Holt, their former manager. It was done at Masterphonics, a mastering lab in Nashville. Isn't it amazing that you'd even HAVE it!!! Thanks for writing. Jonny”
Years later, I also got in contact with the original seller to find out more information about the record. Here is what Mark said:
“Yes, I do remember selling this item & you probably will never see another. An attorney friend of mine was a friend of the person who owned 'Hibtone Records' in Athens. He gave this attorney a test pressing of this rare 45 back when it really wasn't that collectible. He asked if I'd sell this for him on consignment & I did…I would think that this test pressing would be the 'holy grail' piece of any REM collection. There probably wasn't more than 5 or 6 of these pressed. I can't stress to you just how rare this 45 is. At the time, REM was only a local band and nobody had any idea how big they would ultimately become.”
This has been one of my most treasured possessions for the past 15 years, but alas I must sell it now. I hope that whoever buys it will treasure it as much as I have!
Condition: The record is conservatively graded NM- to VG++. There are some light surface marks that come from general play. I did play it once and there are no skips or audible surface noise during play aside from the little bit in the silence before and after the songs. The cover is a generic white sleeve.
Please see the scans to see the catalog # and titles inscribed in the matrix area. ‘Masterfonics’ is also inscribed.
Shipping:
Record will be shipped using EMS express mail, which includes tracking and insurance.
Asia: $10
North America/Australia: $15
Europe: $20
Record will be well-secured between thick cardboard stiffeners and sent in a customized record mailer.
Sales Policy:
Please place a bid only if you're serious about buying the item. If the seller is unable to establish contact with the winning bidder within 3 days of the end of the auction, item may be relisted.
Payment Details: PayPal
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