Paul McCartney - Hope For The Future "Sweet Thrash" mix RSD 12" Beatles RARE New

$

865

The chances are that you already know something about this item, if you're looking at it with any serious intent to purchase, but I'll try to break down the details the best that I can with the knowledge available.  Keep in mind, however, that there is still a slight bit of mystery surrounding this release.  One thing that is confirmed is that it is an incredibly scarce and sought after item.

The album is brand new/sealed and features special "Sweet Thrash" mixes of Paul McCartney's song "Hope For The Future" that do not appear on the standard release.  It is a white label 12-inch vinyl with the initials "PM" and the word "SWEET THRASH" handwritten on the label; the back is blank.  Although it is sealed, other copies that I have tracked down online include a download card with link to download/print a 3D model of Sir Paul himself.  One owner was able to work the card out through the hole in the die-cut sleeve to verify this; I, however, am less comfortable shaking and knocking this item around to test it.

I purchased this record from a record store on April 18th, during record store day, after locating it in the Paul McCartney section of the store -- not in the areas where they featured the previously announced "official" releases for Record Store Day.  Random retailers were selected in the US to receive copies and asked to secretly shelve them in Paul's section of the store specifically, and wait for them to be discovered -- this has been consistently referred to as the holy grail and "golden ticket" of RSD2015.

When I purchased it, someone from the store excitedly asked to take my picture, explaining that it was an incredibly rare release; a procedure relayed from McCartney's people and outlined in the press release sent to the chosen/participating locations (see/read copy in pictures).  Early accounts stated that only 100 were pressed worldwide, but, oddly enough, I've also seen the number "109" claimed elsewhere.  Some felt there might be 100 in the UK and 100 in the US, but people following this promotion on forums obsessively have noted that not even 100 copies have been accounted for, factoring in ebay listings (which have been relatively few) and the photos taken/posted of people like myself finding it -- which was part of the promotion.  The general consensus, at this point, is that there was probably about 50 released in the US and 50 more in the UK, with the UK copies being released in stores in the weeks leading up to the secret un-promoted RSD promotion in the United States.  Other confusion has come out surrounding whether or not Paul was actually the one to hand sign these himself, although highly regarded/widely respected retailers like Newbury Comics and Rough Trade have publicly referred to the copies as "signed" or "autographed" test pressings, both online through social media and to their customers directly.

I was incredibly excited to discover such a rare item -- I'm a huge Beatles/McCartney fan, and record collector, myself -- but I have a 3-year-old and, no matter how much of a prized possession it is, I feel guilty holding onto it, knowing what it's worth, both monetarily and, undoubtedly, to someone else out there (I have to get this out of my hands before I become any more attached).


Contact me to verify accurate shipping fees and/or with alternate requests.  
(Insurance, signature, and registered mail services to be included, which may create additional charges.)

I know that there are fans worldwide who were not as lucky as I was to stumble across one of these, so I'm offering international shipping, but this is not something that I'm willing to play around with or take lightly; I will not send this without it being registered, signed for, insured, etc. so keep that in mind when determining whether or not you want to purchase this, because you'll be paying for the those additional services, both domestically and internationally.  I'll wrap this thing up and box it like a tank, but I want to be as confident as possible that it gets to you in as perfect condition as possible.  We can also work on the shipping, since the calculator on here isn't always perfectly accurate, but please get a hold of me first -- although I've shipped plenty of records, I've never shipped one of this rarity and value, so I'm being incredibly cautious.  My only real concern is getting it to you in the condition that it is in now and, if something left-field and crazy does somehow occur, making sure that we are both covered.

If you do not have a perfect ebay rating of 100% and a feedback of at least 20, then please contact me before purchasing, or the transaction will be canceled.

Please contact me with any questions.  It's a lot easier to work things out before the transaction goes through then for us to bumble through it afterward. 

Thanks for looking and good luck


Serious Offers Only, Please.  
I've already received 2 offer retractions for reasons of "entered wrong amount" for this item and another bid retraction on another item (2 days after it was made) for the same exact reason on another listing earlier this week.