Ed Kuepper Honey Steel's Gold RARE ORIG UK 1992 UFO 1st Press LP A1/B1 Saints EX

	£		28
	$		37

RARE, Original U.K. 1992 UFO Records L.P. pressing of Ed Kuepper’s ‘Honey Steel’s Gold’ album (Catalogue Reference: UFO Records UFO 7LP).  This is the 1st pressing with ‘A1/B1’ matrixes and is ‘A Porky Prime Cut’.  The pressing is relatively thick and weighty and it looks to me like a French pressing for the British market.  It is stored inside a pretty thin, glossy paper inner sleeve which is itself stored inside a relatively thick, single card sleeve.  This is my personal copy and it is going because I have never bothered playing it.  However, it was purchased second-hand and had seen play before coming into my possession.  This remains a solid example of a desirable, hard-to-find record.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / VG (PAPER INNER SLEEVE) / EX (SLEEVE): The vinyl has definitely seen play however, it remains in solid condition.  The main issue is dirt and dust which is present on the surfaces however, the surfaces retain a great sheen.  This could do with a light, sympathetic clean before play.  There is a light, superficial surface ‘drag’ on the final track on Side One (‘Friday’s Blue Cheer/Libertines of Oxley’) otherwise only ultra-fine hairline marks are present which are largely a by-product of the thin paper inner sleeve gripping the vinyl’s surface while it was withdrawn.  There is an isolated section of the Side Two surface which displays a concentration of such marks otherwise only odd hairlines are present.  The inner sleeve is graded as being in very good condition as the vinyl has come through the bottom edge (and quite substantially so).  To be honest I’d imagine it would be hard to find any copy where this hasn’t happened to some extent as the paper is so very thin.  Otherwise it is in quite respectable condition and while the record has unavoidably left an impression in the thin paper it hasn’t caused creases.  The sleeve is in fine condition.  It retains pricing stickers front and rear (which could likely be removed without too much difficulty).  The vinyl has left a light ‘impression’ in the sleeve here and there but there isn’t ring-wear.  There is fraying to the bottom right-hand corner and to a far lesser extent the other corners.  There is a ‘dig’ to the bottom edge of the sleeve on the rear (please see attached images) and minimal wear to the opening edge.  This is a solid example of this hard-to-find disc!

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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