• Artist: Sade

• Title: Stronger Than Pride

• Format: Vinyl LP, Album

• Release Year: 1988

• Record Label: Epic Records

• Catalog Number: OE 44210 (Spine) / 07464442101

• Vinyl Condition: Presumed Mint (M) — Factory Sealed

• Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM / NM-) — Still in original shrinkwrap with breath holes and original hype/price stickers

Condition Description (eBay Field)

Factory Sealed / Unplayed (Presumed Mint vinyl). Jacket is preserved in its tight original factory shrinkwrap with original breath holes, front hype sticker, and vintage retail price stickers intact. Absolutely flat, unwarped profile with sharp edges and a clear, fully legible spine. Very faint shelf softening at the outer corner tips under the shrink and minor vintage sticker residue/aging on the shrinkwrap exterior only. Truly exceptional collector-grade archive copy.

Full Item Description

SADE — Stronger Than Pride (1988)

Original US First Pressing | Epic Records – OE 44210 / 7464-44210-1

Format: 12" Vinyl LP | 33 ⅓ RPM | Stereo

Condition: Factory Sealed (Presumed Mint / Sleeve NM/NM-)

The Collector’s Breakdown

For collectors of sophisticated late-80s quiet storm, soul, and audiophile-grade studio recordings, finding an untouched, original 1988 US first pressing of Sade’s masterpiece Stronger Than Pride is becoming increasingly difficult.

Recorded across Compass Point Studios (Bahamas), Studio Miraval (France), and Studio Marcadet (Paris), the original 1988 Frankford/Wayne lacquer cuts mastered by Herb Powers Jr. remain legendary among collectors for their deep, uncompressed low-end warmth and breathtaking vocal intimacy—qualities that modern digital transfers struggle to replicate.

• Original Factory Shrinkwrap: Intact, tight, and completely sealed with original factory breath holes present.

• Original Hype Sticker: Vibrant black hype sticker highlighting the hits "Paradise," "Nothing Can Come Between Us," "Give It Up," and "Love Is Stronger Than Pride," complemented by vintage store price tags.

• True First US Pressing: Identified by the classic Epic catalog numbers OE 44210 on the spine and 0 7464-44210-1 barcode on the reverse.

• Presumed Mint Vinyl: Never opened, handled, or exposed to stylus wear.

Detailed Jacket & Packaging Condition

• Flatness & Lie: Rests completely flat on a level testing surface with zero warping, dish, or bowing.

• Spine & Seams: Perfectly intact. Crisp, legible text along the entire spine with no splits, breaks, or pinches.

• Corners & Edges: Sharp, clean perimeter. Minor microscopic corner tip softening consistent with 35+ years of gentle shelf preservation beneath tight factory shrink.

• Shrinkwrap: Fully intact with no tears or seam splits. Vintage price stickers remain on the exterior of the wrap as authentic period provenance.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Love Is Stronger Than Pride

2. Paradise

3. Nothing Can Come Between Us

4. Haunt Me

5. Turn My Back On You

Side B

1. Keep Looking

2. Clean Heart

3. Give It Up

4. I Never Thought I'd See The Day

5. Siempre Hay Esperanza

Shipping & Returns Policy

• Secure Handling: Your record will be shipped in a dedicated, heavy-duty cardboard mailer (LP or 45 specific) with extra cardboard stiffeners to prevent bending or crushing.

• Pro-Tip Protection: To prevent seam splits during transit, all opened records are shipped with the vinyl removed from the jacket (housed in its inner sleeve) and placed behind the jacket within a 4mil clear poly outer sleeve. (Note: This copy is factory sealed and will ship intact in its original seal unless the buyer explicitly requests it unsealed and packed outside the jacket prior to dispatch).

• 45s: 7" records are shipped with the same level of care in dedicated 7-inch mailers.

• Handling Time: I ship within 1–2 business days of receiving cleared payment.

• Tracking: A tracking number will be provided immediately upon shipment.

• Combined Shipping: I am happy to combine shipping. Please wait for a revised invoice before paying to receive the discounted rate.

• The "Collector’s Guarantee": I use strict Goldmine Grading standards. If you feel the record does not match the description or grading, please contact me directly before leaving feedback. I am a collector first and I value your satisfaction.

• 30-Day Returns: I accept returns within 30 days. The item must be returned in the exact same condition it was received.

• 🚨 CONDITION POLICY: For opened records, returns are accepted if the item is returned in the same condition as sent. Any new scratches, sleeve scuffs, or damage to the jacket incurred while in the buyer's possession will void the full refund. For factory sealed items, opening the original shrinkwrap voids return eligibility as it permanently alters the condition of the item.

• Shipping Costs: Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs unless there was a significant error in the listing.

💎 The "Vault" Collection: Attention Collectors: I am currently in the process of listing a massive, world-class collection of 250 Rare First Pressings and Audiophile Grails. While many are Factory Sealed, I am also releasing select "Open-Box" items that have been meticulously preserved and play-tested. If you are looking for museum-grade pressings, please save my store and check back daily for new additions.