Praying Mantis Time Tells No Lies U.K. 1981 Arista Records LP + Inner NWOBHM EX

	£		20
	$		26

Relatively CRISP, Original U.K. 1981 ARISTA Records L.P. pressing of Praying Mantis ‘Time Tells No Lies’ (Catalogue Reference: Arista Records SPART 1153).  This is a New Wave of British Heavy Metal classic and appears to be a 2nd pressing with ‘A//2’ and ‘B//2’ matrixes.  The vinyl is a Polydor-style pressing with a raised edge around the labels and relatively thin.  The artwork here is somewhat notorious and it is certainly a very attractive-looking package.  This extends to the labels which are picture labels.  The vinyl is stored inside a thin paper lyric inner sleeve which is itself stored inside a thinly-laminated, single card sleeve.  The set retains the original A4 paper insert advertising Praying Mantis memorabilia .  This is another item which I purchased for my own collection but ultimately never played.  It was purchased second-hand and had likely only seen a couple of plays before coming into my possession.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (INSERT) / EX (INNER SLEEVE) / EX (SLEEVE): There are no obvious marks here and I wouldn’t think this copy has ever seen heavy play.  However, this type of thin paper inner sleeve has a tendency to cling to the vinyl’s surface when it is withdrawn and if you look very hard under an intense light there are a reasonable volume of ultra-fine hairline marks which have been caused by this.  The surfaces retain a great sheen (which they wouldn’t if this had seen heavy play) and the bulk of the playing surface is mark-free.  The paper insert has clearly not been handled much although someone has ‘ticked’ some of the options in blue biro (please see attached images).  In my opinion and considering how thin and flimsy it is, the paper inner sleeve remains in somewhat miraculous condition.  Crucially, the vinyl hasn't broken through.  It has left an impression in the inner sleeve but without having creased it.  The odd brown mark is visible (from handling a very long time ago) and if it is angled under an intense light some light bends can be seen where the paper has bent around the fingertips whilst being handled.  The sleeve is pretty crisp and displays no major flaws.  There are some light creases along the spine where this has presumably sat in rack at some point in time minus it’s contents.  There is minimal wear to the corners and along the top edge on the rear.  When angled under an intense light limited impressions are visible in the soft cardboard.  There is nothing else to say.  This is a very fine example of this NWOBHM classic!

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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