So here it is then.
That very valuable Depeche Mode single.
And before you get all excited and think 'Oh I've got one of those', you haven't. Read on McDuff.
They say that every day you learn something?
I've been buying, selling and collecting all types of media now since the mid 1970's. Way before the internet age. Back then you just had mail order, Record Fairs and Record Collector Magazine mostly to get information from. Sometimes it was difficult and many mistakes where made.
Over all these years i'm still doing it but it's gotten a lot easier now. I've learned a lot and although I'm not an expert I have a pretty good idea now of what I'm looking at what it's value is. Depending on what it is, obviously. If you were to show me 200 50's Jazz albums e.g. I wouldn't have a clue.
Nowadays I just use eBay now and again when I can be bothered to do so. eBay irritates me a lot. Don't start me on the last millisecond bidders and those who 'watch' something that's £1.99. It's just sad and I've never really understood the logic behind it. All that's a rant for another day (maybe).
I don't buy to sell any longer. Haven't for a very long time. Unless I see something that I know will sell in a Charity Shop or something like that. I still have 1000's of items left over in storage from the old mail order and fairs days. I'm getting through them slowly but surely.
I picked this one out a few days ago and had a look at it. Assumed it was just the standard UK 7" which (depending on condition) is valued at around £10 - £15. Always remember that what something's value is and what you might get for it can be two entirely different things.
Back in the day I did develop contacts all over the world that I would buy from and trade with.
I noticed this one had a 'Made in Australasia' notice on it. Both label and sleeve. Bit odd I thought as why not just 'Made in Australia'? I can't recall where and when I got this but had a contact in Australia and it probably came from them.
https://www.discogs.com/release/1403706-Depeche-Mode-Enjoy-The-Silence
Off to Discogs then. As you do. Most strange as there appears to be an Australian release and an Australasian release. Both had different labels and slightly different sleeves. Collectors are anal about those sorts of things.
Most the Australasian version had ever sold for was around the £40 figure. Mine probably is VG/VG condition. Bit of wear on the sleeve but nothing major so I listed it on eBay at a £14.99 starting price.
Within about 5 minutes 3 offers had come through. One was for £200. Most pleasantly surprised. I accepted, obviously.
I contacted one of DM Fan groups to ask about it and they replied (thanks Ian) that it is very rare and that probably only about 50 are known to exist. He suggested that £200 was a bit low but it was fine by me.
Done a bit of research then on Australasian releases. As I'm sure you know Australasia isn't a country. It's a region that includes Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding islands. It can also include the likes of Malaya, Singapore, New Guinea etc.
According to Ian this specific single was intended for the Indonesian market and pressed in very small quantities and is thus highly sort after by Depeche Mode collectors.
So there you have it. The mystery of the DM single solved.
