10” BALL & BISCUIT–THE HOLY GRAIL OF THE WHITE STRIPES TEST PRESSINGS JACK WHITE

$

13,300

Ok take a deep breath…

This is the 1st auction ever in the world to offer the most sought after White Stripes test pressing in history. This may be the last time you see this record up for sale ever.

The only White Stripes record more desired by hardcore fans is the “Hand-Painted Lafayette Blues” which has sold for over $20,000.

Matrix #s: XLT181A / XLT181B

Since this legendary record has never sold on the open market, I’ve included photos serving as documented proof of the $7,000 paid 2 years ago.

NOTE: I only got it for this price because I paid a premium for the other items in the package (outlined in the photos). 

In reality well over $8,000 was paid for it and the few items that exist this rare have rapidly gone up in value. 

In the past 2 years I haven't seen proof of any others out there. The legend has grown and so has the value. They're scarcer than anyone thought.

Remember, this was pressed in 2003–6 years before Third Man Records in Nashville opened its doors for business in 2009.

As much as it's one of the rarest, storied records, it's also historic memorabilia which is surely museum-worthy.

DOCUMENTATION / PROVENANCE:

1) Photo shows portion of the email where seller agreed to the price following my email with prices on the bottom

2) The other photo shows copies of the checks I sent the seller– which I got from my bank Friday. 

The seller asked for 2 separate checks and a $1,000 deposit via Paypal which is noted in the email chain. 

The email clearly outlines what each record sold for. The 2 checks total $8,300. (+ $1,000 Paypal deposit) 

I will not disclose the seller’s info. This is solely for the purpose of documenting the past sale price & justifying the opening bid price.

This is not one of those auctions where a seller pulls an astronomical price out of the sky.

This is legitimate provenance.  (The seller originally had this up for sale at $13,000)

The record is photographed on red so you can see how incredibly it glimmers. It looks like a piece of crystal. It truly is something of beauty.

The last photo of the record on white was taken by the previous seller. The hand-written letter of authenticity has been blurred out just for the listing.

I only know of 3 of these test pressings for certain. This one, another collector’s, and you have to assume Jack White has one. 

Check out this link on the official XL website where they refer to it as “The Rarest Record In Our Catalogue”:

http://www.xlrecordings.com/news/cachedxlt181

XL states a “batch” was made but it’s unknown exactly how many that is.

Having contacted several pressing plants around the world in the past, I can tell you the standard number of test pressings most pressing plants press are 3-5.  

Any more than that are only usually pressed if requested by the artist. Jack is said to have overseen the pressing but did not approve

the record to be pressed & released commercially in the end. (Reasons explained in the XL link above)

ABOUT THE ACTUAL RECORDING:

"There's No Home For You Here" backed with an unreleased version of "Ball & Biscuit"(Live)–recorded  as part of a live session at the legendary 

Electric Ladyland Studios. This version of “Ball & Biscuit” is a whopping 9:03 seconds long–nearly 2 minutes longer than the version on 

the Grammy-winning Elephant album. It also has many different lyrics and guitar parts. The recording itself is perhaps the sharpest live 

White Stripes recording I’ve ever heard. I’ve only listened to it twice on a high-end McIntosh system and each time felt like an event.

FACTS ABOUT THE 10” BALL & BISCUIT TEST PRESSING:

–The first & only White Stripes 10” record to ever be pressed

–The first & only White Stripes record ever pressed on clear vinyl

–The only vinyl or any music format that exists containing this version of “Ball & Biscuit”

–The only White Stripes test pressing that was officially pressed but not commercially pressed

LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY ON THIRD MAN RECORDS LETTERHEAD:

This truly makes this gem complete. The official White Stripes Archivist (I prefer not to use names

out of respect) Collectors know who and it’s clearly signed on the letter. This person knows more

about White Stripes records than anyone on earth and has always been a big help to White Stripes

fans/collectors since the early days. A true gentleman who was so nice to authenticate this historic

record for a fan. The letter simply states that the record was obtained by the person who signs off

in the letter and that the record was a test and never went past the test pressing phase.

WHITE STRIPES TEST PRESSINGS HISTORY (Documented on Popsike):

–Not one but two XL test pressings of “Conquest”(a cover song) sold for a combined $3,200 in late 2013.

Many of these were pressed commercially and it’s a song The White Stripes did not even write.

They were both standard 7” black vinyls with white labels. 

–XL Test pressing set of The White Stripes “Live In Las Vegas” sold for $1,895 in late 2012.

These were just test pressings of a live show–which numerous live shows exist.

That gives an idea what XL test pressings have gone for.

Lastly I’d like to note that I’m not a record dealer. I’m a big White Stripes fan from back in the

DeStijl days and I’d prefer a true fan gives this piece of liquid gold a home.

I’m selling this because I’m in the process of potentially purchasing a big collection.

I have 100% Positive Feedback for a reason. Bid with 103% confidence.

SHIPPING:

I will NOT ship overseas. If you don’t live in the USA or Canada and are REALLY interested in

purchasing this, please contact me and we can arrange something before the auction ends.

I’m not taking a chance shipping overseas since I’ve had misfortune in the past.

I will ship this item free via FedEx next day service.

INSURANCE:

Buyer MUST cover full insurance for this item–NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

I will not ship this out without full coverage insurance.

If you're not sure what insurance costs, please ask FedEx before bidding. Thanks.

NOTE: I will NOT end this auction early for a lesser price.

May the highest bidder win... 

The Holy Grail of The White Stripes Test-Pressings.

Good Luck!