As any collector can tell you, the rarer an item is, the most desired it is, and some of the rarest items are test presses. A test pressing is a vinyl record created during the production process to ensure the quality and accuracy of the final product. It’s usually pressed in a very low number, 5 to 75 units, depending on final order side and serves as a quality control step before mass production begins. RPM Records has a good article explaining them more in detail.

But it’s more than that. Having one usually denotes a close relationship with the artists or the label promoting said artists and it’s the ultimate level of connection that I can get to the music I like and support. And owning one in my collection makes me happy and proud. You can see the ones I already have below.