Men in Black The Album ORIG 1997 Columbia Soundtrack DBL LP De La Soul Snoop EX+

	£		16
	$		21

Relatively Hard-to-Find, Original American 1997 Red Label Columbia Double Vinyl pressing of ‘Men in Black The Album’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax 488122 1).  This was a promotional copy as attested by a small sticker on the rear of the sleeve.  This consists of a double vinyl pressing with each record stored inside a printed paper inner sleeve which are contained within a thin, single card sleeve.  I believe this is an American pressing but I’m not absolutely certain.  It is certainly an original pressing and relatively rare having been released at a time when few were buying albums on vinyl.  Obviously, the soundtrack features Will Smith but also includes tracks by A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Destiny’s Child, Ginuwine and Snoop Doggy Dogg (amongst others).  It also features a main and closing theme by Danny Elfman.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX+ (INNER SLEEVES) / VG+ (SLEEVE): I believe the first record has been played a couple of times and I would think the second record has never been played.  You only need to look at the inner sleeves which are pretty damn crisp considering that they are thin paper to know that these records have never seen heavy play.  The first record has a limited number of the thinnest, tiniest hairline marks visible under an intense light with the second record just displaying the odd hairline mark.  I believe the inner sleeves are in as good a condition as you are likely to find.  These inner sleeves crease the moment you touch them they are so thin.  While the sleeve is still very respectable it displays more wear than the rest of the package and this is hardly surprising when you consider how flimsy it is.  The spine has quite some depth to it which means that even when the records are contained within the sleeve it collapses slightly resulting in the records leaving an impression on the soft cardboard and creasing around the edge of the sleeve (as the cardboard falls inwards).  There is a suggestion that the records have tried to come through the top of the sleeve but haven’t quite managed to do so.  There are two stabs in the base of the sleeve which have exposed the white cardboard underbelly.  The top right-hand corner on the front has received a knock which has bent the sleeve in this corner on the front and has resulted in a crease in the cardboard in the corresponding position on the rear.  Ultimately, this is still a very solid 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 intense light 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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