FAQ
What is the purpose of thecurerecords.com?
The site was created with a single goal: to bring to light official The Cure records that have never been seen before. By helping collectors organize their collections, we aim to continuously attract new fans and collectors worldwide—and to keep discovering new pressings.
I want to contribute. What should I do?
Scan the record you would like to contribute and click the Submit new record link on the homepage. Attaching images is essential—they serve as proof of the item’s existence and are critical to listing it
Do I need to scan everything?
Yes. Even tiny differences—often unnoticed—can appear on any part of the record. Following this rule is crucial to maintaining the site’s reliability.
What if my record is sealed?
You will not be able to scan all parts. If you submit a sealed record, or an incomplete record, we will remove it from the Pending page.
How do I scan a 12" sleeve?
Unless you have a A3 scanner, you have to scan the sleeve 4 times. We will piece the parts together. If you use Photoshop, you can do that with Photomerge (
File > Automatize > Photomerge).
Can I send photos instead of scans?
Photos often suffer from glare, blurriness, and uneven lighting. Unless the item is exceptionally rare, photo submissions are likely to be removed from the Pending list.
What are the 3 most common reasons contributions are rejected?
1) Incomplete scans
2) Cropped or cut edges
3) Low image resolution or size
Should I remove the CD back inlay from the case?
No. Just follow the examples already on the site for guidance. When possible, use a white background while scanning—it greatly improves results.
Where do the images come from?
99% of the images are scans from private collections generously shared by their owners.
Do you think my copy is a "new item"?
If your copy has slight differences, the best way to know is to scan it and submit it. We’ll review and get back to you with an accurate answer. Note: Stickers or extras only make an item “new” when they are The Cure or item-specific. Generic stickers, jagged sleeves (like Italian promo-style ones), or common inserts usually don’t qualify—exceptions listed on the site may be removed over time.
How is an items Country defined?
“Country” refers to the target market, not where the item was made. For example, a record made in Japan but released for the UK market is considered British. Usually, the manufacturing country matches the target country, and the "Made in..." mark is a helpful first clue. Other indicators include stickers, seals, folders (typically in local language), sleeve design, label codes, rights societies, matrix numbers, and even information from dealers or marketing reps.
Do you list mislabeled vinyls and white label test pressings?
We list them when the source is trustworthy, the scans are of high quality and the dead wax inscriptions are visible. If the label is misplaced (e.g., wrong side), we also list it as a new item.
Can I contact other collectors?
Yes. Sign in and click the "Contact member" link on any collector’s profile.
How are records value determined?
Click here to read our Price guide. Quotations give you an estimate of what you might expect to pay—or receive—for a mint, complete copy.
Do you list bootlegs?
No.
Are all the records listed official?
Almost all—around 99%. We carefully avoid bootlegs, fakes, and amateur live recordings. However, we do include a few exceptions marked as "Non-official." These are real Cure titles, professionally pressed and distributed locally as commercial releases, but not authorized by the band. Click "Non-official" to see them.
How can I tell my record is official, bootleg or fake?
Sadly, there is no foolproof method—even seasoned collectors sometimes struggle. In general, "bootlegs" are easy to spot by their unofficial titles, unknown labels, or unreleased content. Fakes pretend to be rare official releases (promos, test pressings, acetates). Most are obvious due to poor printing or artwork, but some—like white labels and CD-Rs—are nearly impossible to detect. Our advice: never buy unless you deeply trust the source.
What are quarantined items?
Quarantined items are items we doubt they should be listed. Sometimes because we seriously doubt on their authenticity, sometimes because we believe they do not exist. As a consequence, in the long term these items are due to be removed (fakes) or remain listed with empty boxes (unexisting).
What are "Strangely HTF" items?
Can I download my personal lists?
Yes! You can download your lists anytime in Microsoft Excel format. Just log in, click the list you want, and then click "Download".
Please
contact for any further questions.