This is the red version of Metallica’s Ride the Lightning sticker. Only 500 were printed. Somebody won it on eBay in 2006. Final price: $2,247.22.
Why so much?
Early Metallica items are some of the most collected pieces in metal. Ride the Lightning came out in 1984 on Megaforce. It was their second album and the one that showed they were more than a speed metal band. Fade to Black, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Creeping Death all came from it.
Promo stickers from that era were cheap giveaways. Most got stuck on guitar cases and school lockers and are long gone. A short run color variant in good shape is very rare. Collectors will pay big for that.
Collecting tips
- Check for the original printer marks and colors.
- Look out for reprints. They are common.
- Keep paper items out of direct sun.
- Store them flat in acid-free sleeves.
Metallica t-shirts
You do not need two grand to rep the album. Grab the Metallica Ride the Lightning t-shirt.