DAVID BOWIE Hunky Dory SUPERB, EARLY, COMPLETE UK 1971 EX++ LP, PLAYS SUPERBLY

	£		196
	$		260

ONEADAYRECORDS – Serving-up a Christmas & New Year Feast of Entertainment

I would like to wish all my customers, regulars and newcomers, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Over the Holiday Period, I am offering some interesting Christmas ‘Crackers’ – the theme this year being ‘Rock Classics’ – ENJOY!

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible. PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT send any item, no matter what its value without a Royal Mail or courier tracking number. ALL my items must be signed and traceable to comply with Ebay delivery rules. Please do NOT ask me to make any exceptions to this rule as no country offers 100% reliable service without it.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: DAVID BOWIE

Album Title: Hunky Dory

Producer(s): Ken Scott and David Bowie

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Changes; Oh! You Pretty Things; Eight Line Poem; Life on Mars?; Kooks; Quicksand.

Side 2: Fill Your Heart; Andy Warhol; Song for Bob Dylan; Queen Bitch; The Bewlay Brothers.

Label/Format: RCA Victor – these have the smooth very shiny surfaces, later ones were matt.

Label Conditions & Overview: Both ultra clean, incredibly fresh and highly attractive with barely even a trace of a spindle mark. These have to be seen for real to be fully appreciated, these appear virtually as-made with the deepest orange colour you can imagine. It is very clear this copy has barely been removed from the cover, handled or played. The glossy finish quickly dulls and ages if handled many times, but these are simply immaculate. Also to date, it has to be the very pressed copy I have ever heard without the well-known pressing issues and flaws so many have. Okay, it isn’t the very rare laminated cover ultimate ‘first’, but in all aspect bar that, it is exactly the same, and it still one of the earliest made. Laminated covers were made in tiny numbers and came-and-went within days, hence their rarity. This copy appears hardly played and was a delight to play-grade, that always a nervous experience for any copy of this album, however clean it looks. So many, if indeed the majority of copies have inherent pressing flaws and unwanted sounds, or even distortion. I have heard and rejected many examples of this album, also it’s a title I am asked the most often about from customers, if I have a near perfect copy available. Many frustrated by imperfections and flaws that spoil the listening experience. This record has no such issues and I have never heard a better one. The matt cover is also very impressive as-seen with little to fault, and includes its original plain white inner sleeve and lyric insert sheet, both in lovely condition also. To make this copy extra special, I include an original promotional poster. These were used in shops to promote the new RCA era Bowie pressings, this for the repressing of ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ that was repressed at the same time this album was issued for the first time. It has four tiny pin holes in each corner and was mounted in the shop where a Mercury copy was purchased just prior to deletion on that label. These are very rare and seldom seen – I had three, all from the same source – this is very last one I still have. So this a rare piece of Bowie history in its own right and I think it adds to this era of Bowie releases. For those seeking a very early Hunky Dory in this condition, a very rare opportunity. Most will know the prices the laminated cover ones command now, but as stated, this is the same minus the shiny surface front cover. But the rarest element as far as I am concerned, this record, which is exactly the same visually, plays without distortion, pressing rasps, crackle or pops and clicks. That the rarest part of this set for me every time.

Catalogue Number: SF 8244

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 133 grams. A very fine solid weight for this record, and somewhat above average. Later pressings were often very thin.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Moderate in terms of units sold, but less easy as an early issue. Initially released with a laminated cover, these are very elusive and command vast prices. An album that failed to sell well initially, but like the other earlier albums, they were in demand after the release and acclaim of ‘Ziggy Stardust’, his major breakthrough album (also on offer as a very first pressing). This copy from 1972 without the Main Man credits. A beautiful example, hardly played and the most important factor, it plays superbly well with barely anything unwanted at all. That never to be dismissed lightly, so many of these have inherent pressing noises and other unwanted sounds. This still very early example was a genuine pleasure to play-grade, and I consider a copy in this condition rare. Also I have included a very rare original promotional poster from the same era, so a bonus piece few other Bowie fans or collectors will ever own.

Original Year of Release: December 1971. This copy from early to mid-1972.

Matrix Nos: A1 APRS-5947-3T / APRS 5948-3T [both machine punched and clear, these the very first matrixes]. Later ones were scripted.

Mothers / Stampers: A1A F / A1W

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘Bobil’ / ‘Rasputin’ [these messages are crucial to identify the earliest pressings, both are very clear and distinct], again, later ones had these details removed.

Musicians: David Bowie – vocals, guitar, alto and tenor saxophone, piano; Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals, mellotron; Rick Wakeman – piano; Trevor Bolder – bass guitar, trumpet; Mick Woodmansey – drums.

Brief Info: This fourth David Bowie album is regarded by many as his greatest work ever. Most these days will know the songs well enough, but when issued, few even were even aware of him. But changes were to happen fast – within six months, he was to become a household name and superstar with his seminal glam-rock masterpieces ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and later ‘Aladdin Sane’. This very ‘arty’ album paved the way for that legendary release, and only when ‘Ziggy’ went global, did sales for this one take-off as well. Although the laminate was now gone, the pre-Main Man albums with the glossy labels are still relatively scarce. Even more so in hardly played conditions and pressed without flaws or sound issues. This copy without doubt has hardly been played and the pressing quality is first-class, a rare delight to play-grade without those horrible pressing rasps, distortion or crackle many, if not most have. It has the earliest matrixes, so the pressing identical to the very first in the shops. To date, I have never enjoyed a copy more from vinyl than this – I simply had to put this to CD for my own future listening because I am as certain as can be, I will not hear a cleaner or better example.

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(–): a superb example. A single unlaminated format with matt, smooth surfaces. Printed and made in England by Robert Stace (NO Mainman references on the earliest printings, they came later in 1972 onwards). Includes the GEM PRODUCTION (with Titanic logo and credit), the lyric insert and plain white inner no text inner sleeve, all seen in the pictures. Also as a bonus piece, the very rare shop promotional poster as-seen as well.

Cover Front: A superb front with little else to fault bar a very gentle rim arc rub trace near the top, few will escape with less. Just two spine edge hairline creases, those the only two that show a little, any others minuscule and ultra faint. Cover-protected, hardly handled, the difference is immediately apparent and few will retain its depth and deep colour with no light fading or sticker marks. To my eyes, the artwork looks the same as the laminated one I had a year or so ago. Of course laminate will always make any graphic appear darker still. The tiny apart, this front has no other rubbing, rim impression or dulling. An exceptional front and one of the earliest post-laminated ones you will find.

Cover Back: If anything, even better, that said, this paler back is not as revealing as the front. A tiny inside flipback press near the top edge with barely even a trace of grubbiness or ageing, or even creasing. This is fantastic again exactly as-seen in my pictures.

Top Edge: Clean and very straight with no rubbing or wear at all.

Bottom Edge: Close to above, any rub traces very light, patchy and faint. Being a black storage edge, this has also remained in highly impressive condition – and there is no evidence of any cosmetic improvements or touch-ins.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, ultra sharp with barely even a trace of thickening, even as viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.

Spine and Text: Again the surface hardly rubbed at all. The pictures do not lie, this is fresh, unfaded, rubbed with hardly any traces of compression. One hairlines crease only. All text is pristine and mainly well centred as-seen.

Corners: Four beautiful undinked corners that again come close of reminding of new. A tiny rub on the bottom right, the rest practically as-manufactured. The owner certainly knew how to store records, and few these days will ever remain as such?

Cover Summary: This has to be one of the finest unlaminated, very early Hunky Dory covers I have seen. When ‘Ziggy’ hit the market, many teenagers wanted the earlier albums as well, hence many of these are seen trashed or badly aged and worn. This copy bought by a discerning hi-fi purist who looked after albums to the highest standards. This fantastic cover example will prove immensely difficult to match or better. One for connoisseurs and a potential major upgrade for some?

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): a plain white unlined inner sleeve with no RCA text, that correct for an early 1970s RCA record, the texted ones also came later. Gently aged with a little darkening of the paper, mainly near the seam adhesive areas (as usual). Hardly creased and both window circles are pristine. All edges unsplit with no repairs.

The Lyric Insert: PRACTICALLY MINT: a matt thick paper lyric insert with NO Mainman credits. This has the ‘A Gem Production’ text and Titanic credit. Printed both sides, unaged, clean and fresh with any traces of creasing minuscule, it retains deep colour and appears barely even handled.

The Promotional Poster: EXCELLENT(++): a matt thick paper ‘poster’, printed one side only, the back white and still very clean with no toning. As mentioned above, this promoted the new RCA pressing of ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ that had totally different artwork to the original, this was mounted in the shop on each of its four corners that have tiny single pin-holes. A considerable rarity in its own right and seldom seen or offered. This also in age-defying and superb condition with barely any creasing, crisp unthickened edges with no tears or other corner blemishes bar the odd tiny tip crease. I had three of three of these, all originally obtained by a lady who bought one of the last Mercury MWSTW’s sold, this is the very last one. The other two were offered last year, one with the dress cover MWSTH original, the other with a lovely ‘Ziggy’ – so this time I wanted to offer the last one with a worthy copy of Hunky Dory, and it has taken over a year to find one. So, from me anyway, the very last chance to own this as well as one of the best ever Hunky Dory’s I have ever seen or heard. This is 100% genuine, NOT a reprint or copy. A wonderful piece of Bowie history in little short of immaculate condition, the pin-holes the only microscopic blemishes and registering little.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): arguably better, it hardly does this lovely record full justice. A very impressive visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly pressed. A copy hardly even played on all the evidence and typical from the collection it came from. Purchased from new by a discerning owner. Any surface traces are light, quite wispy and faint as seen critically under bright light. No penetrating stylus scratches and it is very clear any blemishes were present in the manufacturing process. What sets this apart is the total lack of impurity within the vinyl, so many examples of this, and other titles at this time have dulling and blotches within the record, but this has none. An album pressed at the time of the great oil crisis where vinyl was often mixed with recycled vinyl or pressed very thin. It is clear this was not one of them, and manufactured prior to the great demand this album suddenly had after the success of ‘Ziggy’, when then pressing quality became a lottery as did the audio quality. Many fans and vinyl collectors know this already, and I know several people who are still searching for a top-quality pressing which is always incredibly difficult to find. Visually a lovely record that should please many, if not most collectors – and as stated, this one plays beautifully.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This brilliant Bowie classic plays even above it’s high visual grading with barely anything to fault. It offers strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed and this is an exceptional clean pressing with no tracking issues*, pressing rasps, distortions or inherent noises from spots or pits which this pressing has avoided. Few available copies will outperform this still very early pressing I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, the separation and audio quality simply fantastic. These very early first matrix copies have the very best chance in offering the best sound and details – not all records sound the same – and this very much a case-in-point, especially when played on a quality system. My Linn LP12 Sondek really excelled playing this record, a rare and genuine thrill to hear like this. I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been very well stored and carefully handled within a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record – something I have rarely stated for this album. It will prove immensely difficult to find better and merits my highest possible recommendation. Now on CD for my own personal future pleasure, I doubt if I will hear a better example.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Nessie vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new Nessie Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 17­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.