Buying old EBWs, how to spot original and fake pressings ?

Everything is in the title. Most EBWs had bootleg copies, so how can I be sure I'm buying an original copy, and once the vinyl is here, how can I spot if it's the real deal ?

Have a look on Discogs. My guess is "etchings"/ engravings on the runouts.

Like for EBW 1/2
  Matrix / Runout (Side A (etched)): MIKE'S THE EXCHANGE
  Matrix / Runout (Side B (etched)): MIKE'S THE EXCHANGE
  Matrix / Runout (Side A (stamped)): XDUSTLPDJ 2 A-01-01- I
  Matrix / Runout (Side B (stamped)): XDUSTLPDJ 2 B-01-01- I

https://www.discogs.com/de/The-Chemical-Brothers-Electronic-Battle-Weapon-1-Electronic-Battle-Weapon-2/release/96835

I've actually been meaning to post about this as well. I recently went through and re-added my entire vinyl collection to Discogs, and was surprised to find after careful consideration that a couple of my EBW copies are in fact bootlegs. I can't remember off the top of my head what else gave it away, but comparing mine to the descriptions on Discogs I was pretty confident a couple of mine were boots.

On that topic, although maybe it should go in another thread, I found I had a couple other Chems bootlegs that I'd assumed were legit. For example: I have a bootleg of TPPR 12". The labels are slightly different and it came in a generic sleeve w/ no poster. Seems like an odd choice for someone to make a fake of, as opposed to say BRB or HBHG.

Well, the fake EBW5 is some sort of garbage trance song with the vocal hook instead. That’s an easy indicator. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago. Also, the weight was kind of light, but I didn’t have a real one to compare it to.

I've just inspected the ones I already have. I think my EBW6 copy is fake ☹️

Just checked again. Only my EBW3/4 is a bootleg. I'm missing EBW 5 and 11, thought I wouldn't trust buying EBW5 without play-testing since it seems to be the most well-known fake.

Curious, as I bought every one I own at Music & Video Exchanges in London, so it's odd they were getting in legit and bootleg pressings..

I bought a supposed "new" EBW7 from old stock on Discogs. "The price tag is still on the plastic". To be continued...

Received EBW7 and it's a bootleg...

Received EBW7 and it's a bootleg...

Bummer! How does it sound though? While a shame to have a bootleg, my unofficial EBW3/4 sounds nice and loud still.

Bummer! How does it sound though? While a shame to have a bootleg, my unofficial EBW3/4 sounds nice and loud still.

It sounds good, yeah, but still sucks to know it's not the real deal :/
The seller will refund me and I get to keep the bootleg, so pretty fair from them

Agreed it's a shame. That's really nice of the seller, makes it kinda worth it just to test out buying sight unseen. Did the seller seem to have any idea it was a bootleg?

Agreed it's a shame. That's really nice of the seller, makes it kinda worth it just to test out buying sight unseen. Did the seller seem to have any idea it was a bootleg?

No, but it's a record shop, so I think they're aware Discogs does not authorize selling bootlegs and don't want any trouble with them.
I did ask them beforehand but didn't get an answer, and still went from it.