Title:	The Man Who Sold The World
Territory:	United States	Record Label:
Catalogue #:	SR 61325	Release Date:	197*
IdbD Ref #:	999999999
Sleeve Type:	Single	Sleeve Finish:	Matt
Label Colour:	Red	Label Text:	Black

One of the most common counterfeits and not always obvious to the naked eye. Once placed alongside an official version the differences are more apparent but it's no wonder these are often sold by reputable dealers as authentic. Softer, paler image quality, a hand scratched matrix and wider run out areas are the identifiers.

It's said that scratched matrix copies have circulated since 1971, giving rise to the theory that the counterfeit is in fact a legitimate pressing. But for this particular pressing, the most conclusive evidence is right there on the vinyl itself. It is sourced from a noisy copy of the record (the additional surface noise is clearly heard in the lead in and run out areas), and there is a skip in All The Madmen.

UPDATE 9th June 2015: Further variations of this LP with scratched matrices are known to exist without the audio flaws found on this pressing. However, they share identical matrix numbers to the genuine pressing with no stamper inscriptions to differentiate them which is counter to standard practice. In addition, the audio is of lesser quality than the original stamped matrix copies with tape damage evident. Until conclusive evidence is presented that Mercury Records pressed copies with hand-etched matrices, buyer discretion is advised.