U2 The Cork Connection 1987 Double Live L.P. BLUE & RED Vinyl EX/EX+ Cond.

	£		40
	$		53

RARE, U.K. 80s(?) UFO Red & Blue vinyl Double L.P. pressing of U2 ‘The Cork Connection’ (Catalogue Reference: N/A).  This is apparently a recording of a live concert from Cork and a couple of tracks recorded at the Glasgow Scottish Exhibition Centre on the 28th June 1987 (according to the information on the sleeve).  There are twenty-three tracks in total including ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’ and ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’.  There is also apparently a recording of The Edge receiving his birthday cake for his 27th birthday.  The rear of the sleeve states the package was manufactured in the U.K. and that the set is ‘For Promotional Use Only’.  The sleeve may have been manufactured in the U.K. but the thick, coloured vinyl pressings are almost certainly American or Canadian in origin and feature labels with ‘UFO’ references.  In my opinion the recordings are of a decent quality (from what I’ve heard).  The sleeve is a single affair, relatively flimsy and with a reasonably wide spine to contain the double vinyl pressing.  The sleeve is fully laminated.  This is one of a lot of U2 records which I’ll be selling over the next few weeks and which were purchased together.  I would guess each record has only been played once or twice.

CONDITION: EX/EX+ (VINYL) / EX (SLEEVE): Grading coloured vinyl is obviously not as straightforward as grading standard vinyl however, I’m pretty experienced at grading coloured vinyl and picture discs.  These have been carefully graded under an intense light.  The odd, ultra-fine hairline mark is visible (the sort which has been caused by the white paper inner sleeve clinging to the vinyl’s surface as the record was withdrawn).  There is a small piece of paper in the pressing on Side One (under the track ‘I Trip Through Your Wires’) which can be heard in the background for a number of rotations but doesn’t result in the needle jumping.  It is obvious that the records haven’t seen heavy play.  The sleeve is relatively crisp in appearance.  There is creasing to each corner where the cover has collapsed inwards a little because the spine is quite broad.  There is pronounced creasing to the top right-hand corner on the rear.  The vinyl has left a light impression in the sleeve in places which has resulted in minor ring-wear to the lamination.  There is the odd impression in the sleeve in places.  This is a very fine example of this rare U2 set!

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.

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