Cocteau Twins Evangeline ORIG U.K. 1993 Numbered Fontana 12" + Poster 4AD EX+/NM

	£		18
	$		24

RARE, Limited Edition U.K. 1993 Blue label Fontana 12” pressing of the Cocteau Twins ‘Evangeline’ backed with ‘Mud and Dark’ and ‘Summer-blink’ (Catalogue Reference: Fontana CTX 1).  This was a pressing of 5000 numbered copies and this is number ‘3721’.  This also retains it’s original poster.  Otherwise the item consists of a single sleeve containing a decent quality, most likely U.K. pressed 12”.  I purchased this for myself second-hand however, I have never bothered playing it which is why it is going.  It is fairly obvious that this had only seen a single play prior to coming into my possession and is arguably as fine a copy (overall) as you are going to find.

CONDITION: EX+/NM (VINYL) / EX (POSTER) / EX+ (SLEEVE): I believe this might have seen a single play and I come to this conclusion from a suggestion of a needle having ‘hit’ the run-in groove (visible under an intense light).  It is somewhat cheeky to grade a record that you believe has been played NM however, under an intense light there is really only an odd, ultra-fine hairline mark.  The surfaces really shine and it is obvious that this copy has never even seen light play.  The blue Fontana labels are made of the kind of print which shows up greasy fingerprints.  There is one fingerprint here but they are otherwise clean.  It is obvious that the poster has never been attach to a wall.  If angled under an intense light there are some very light bends where it has bent around someone’s fingertips whilst being handled.  The record has left a very light impression in the poster but the poster is flat and crease-free.  The sleeve remains crisp and really doesn’t look nearly 25 years old.  It is flat.  The only flaws are some greasy fingerprints evident on both sides which could be removed without leaving any lasting impression and the fact that the bottom right-hand corner has received a light knock (the other corners are sharp).  This is a very fine copy!

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.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.