Here is an exceedingly rare 1987 U.S. (Mercury) first pressing of Def Leppard’s fourth studio album Hysteria signed on the cover by every original bandmember. Joe Elliott (signed twice), Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, and the late Steve Clark, have all signed in black ballpoint pen. The album was signed around the time of its release. Hysteria's creation took more than three years and was plagued by delays, including the aftermath of drummer Rick Allen's accident that cost him his left arm on December 31st, 1984. Subsequent to the album's release, Def Leppard published a book entitled Animal Instinct: The Def Leppard Story, written by Rolling Stone magazine senior editor David Fricke, on the three-year recording process of Hysteria and the difficult times the band endured through the mid-1980s. Hysteria remains Def Leppard's best-selling album to date, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. The album charted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart, spawning an incredible seven hit singles, including: Animal, Woman, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Hysteria, Armageddon It, Love Bites and Rocket. Due to its enormous success, the album has been certified 20x Platinum.
Shortly after this period, on January 8th 1991, principal songwriter and lead guitarist Steve Clark died tragically of alcohol poisoning. As such, signed Def Leppard items with the classic Steve Clark line-up are exceedingly scarce. To date, this is the finest fully-signed Hysteria album cover that we have encountered, including the legendary Steve Clark. A remarkable vintage-signed copy of Def Leppard’s seminal work! The cover and original vinyl are in excellent condition. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from music autograph authority Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication.