Now there are obviously desirable items that are one-offs or stupendously rare the 1985 Protest Songs test pressing being a good example but getting those is really a question of keeping your eyes open, and thereby being in the right place at the right time, and its not something you can just tick off a list.

This is the original version of The Devil Has All the Best Tunes with Walk On as the B-Side, released in October 1983, just at the point at which the band had taken Swoon to CBS and been signed.

So originally it was a Kitchenware production, and the early posters have it as being distributed by Rough Trade and The Cartel.

By this time Rough Trade were already operating as a distributor which included supplying Red Rhinos shop.

Tony became the General Manager of the Cartel, amongst his vast number of other projects.

But in the historical context of Kitchenware and Prefab Sprout its very significant as being the first truly collaborative production.

Kitchenware repackaged Lions of course, but this was the first real fruit from the relationship.

And East Orange designing the sleeve, so all the classic early elements are there.

The first pressing can be identified because it has mpo scratched into the run-off area (and I believe has a card rather than paper sleeve).

Both pressings have SK7 A1SK7 B1 in the run-off area, so youre looking for mpo for an early one.

The double pack was usually split, so you find quite a lot of the later pressings around.

As this is reasonably common, its worth looking for mint or near mint and paying a little extra.

Last Jewel Thief about to go EPIC Ebay Item of the Weekend November 11th, 2018 Ebay Item of the Week Sept 21st 2015 Hammersmith Odeon March 5th 1986 Porky Prime Cuts Cars and Girls French TV 1988 Photo Corner Prefab Sprout at the Brewers Arms, c1980 Top 10 Sprout Collectibles.

No. 10 First Pressing of The Devil Has All the Best Tunes Sylvie Simmonds, Mojo4Music Website August 2001 BBC Going Live March 11th 1989.

Prefab Sprout Wikipedia