I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

David Bowie : Space Oddity 1E/1E 1st Press 1972 (w/Poster & Lyric Inner)

This first pressing on the RCA Victor label plays with stunning audio on both sides with only one light click on S2.  The clarity of sound is quite simply on a level I have never heard before and to say 99% plays 'as new' is no exaggeration!  As always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grade and I honestly do not think I have heard sonic quality as good as this.  The fact that this is a 1E/1E pressing makes it even more impressive in a way.  The vinyl is also visually stunning and you would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this 'new' from from a record shop!

The iconic cover is in superb condition with barely any wear - just one minor corner crease - and the lyric inner is incredibly clean also.  This includes the rare poster which remains in near perfect condition.

This first press on RCA has 'Previously released on Philips Records SBL 7912' on one line on the cover bottom right and has the Titanic Music credit on the labels.  There is no MainMan logo on the back cover also.

BPRS 4501/2 // 1E / 1E

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 & T3 Near Mint / T5 Near Mint+)  

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex+

The original poster is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an 'as new' immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only under a certain light can I detect a small number of ultra faint sleeve removal hairlines.  The run out grooves are pristine and the orange RCA labels are unmarked with only very minimal spindle wear.  A stunning example and as good as it gets!

Play grading  

The quiet acoustic intro on the classic 'Space Oddity' plays beautifully with barely any static and there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  As the percussion comes in the playback is 'as new' with no 'background' and the same applies to the opening vocal.  As it builds there is no let up in quality and every note just plays with such incredible precision.  It's been a long time since I last heard a version as perfect as this and it is obvious that it has hardly been played over the last near 50 years.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is out of this world (!) and through every vocal and instrumental section there is no intrusion at all.  Even the instrumental finale which is very quiet at the end has no 'background'.  This is a Mint- start to the album and the minus is only there because of the barely audible static at the very start.  As good a version that you could wish for.

'Unwashed And Slightly Dazed' plays to the same high end standard from start to finish with no interference not even a dust tick.  There is a lot 'going on' musically with this track and yet the clarity is comparable to when it would have first played back in '72.  A powerful track also and yet there is no distortion.  A Mint version in every way.

'Letter To Hermione' provides further evidence of a vinyl so well preserved and plays with sublime quality throughout with no intrusion.  Perhaps a hint of mega quiet static for a couple of brief moments?  I don't even need to mention it really, it's more the needle running over the grooves - again you can barely hear it.  Bowie's vocal is crystal clear and again Mint is again deserved.

The gentle intro on 'Cygnet Committee' plays perfectly and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  It continues to play with a clarity and definition that cannot be faulted.  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and even on Bowie's higher register during the second half of the track there is no obvious inner groove distortion.  Perhaps just a minimal amount on the 'I want to live' end section but yes so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  It still sounds so strong and clear and I only mention it to be 'complete' in my grading.  From start to finish there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and Mint- is an honest assessment of this classic track.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The acoustic intro on 'Janine' plays with great clarity and it continues in the same precise way, as per S1 basically.  Each verse and chorus plays with impeccable quality and...no interference.  This has to graded as Mint- at the very least.  Just a hint of very quiet static right at the end of the fade out.

Another quiet acoustic intro on 'An Occasional Dream' and the clarity is again stunning.  The opening vocal is just as clear and then on the first chorus there is one light click which is literally the first intrusion on the album!  The remainder plays with no other issues and Bowie's voice is very much to the fore.  I think Near Mint is deserved here.

The intro on 'The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud' plays so clearly with only the lightest of light background static.  Again it is hardly worth a mention as it is so quiet.  From then on it plays beautifully with a clarity of sound that defies the age of the album.  Another 'busy' track and yet the sonic quality has not suffered in any way and there is nothing that detracts from the quality of the audio.  There is just a minor touch of very light static on the final quiet vocal but it is of course non-intrusive.  I will grade this as Near Mint although that may be a little harsh as there are no ticks, clicks or pops.

'God Knows I'm Good' plays with stunning precision from the first note to the last with no interference.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is exceptional and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The 'intro' on 'Memory Of A Free Festival' is near perfect with only a couple of very light ticks and a modicum of (again) barely audible static and then the opening vocal plays with genuine quality.  It continues to play with STUNNING clarity - the vocals are pristine and the 'Sun Machine...' section just could not play any better.  I cannot put into words just how amazing this section is!  The clarity and depth of the audio is on another level and 'as new' I guess sums it up.  This audio definition is kept up to the very end.  I will grade this track as Near Mint+ as Near Mint does not do it justice in my opinion.  It has to be the most impressive version I have ever heard, it is a stunning finish to a near perfect album.

In summary this first pressing on the RCA label plays to a wonderful standard with barely any intrusion as you can see.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so impressive and you could not wish to find a 1E/1E pressing as clean and precise as this one.  The audio is exceptional and this is clearly an album that has been so well cared for over the years and let's not forget it is 50 years old at the end of the year!  Together with the rare poster and a very clean lyric inner this is a stunning 'package' that will impress any avid collector.

The Cover, Lyric Inner & Poster

The cover is in superb condition and the only 'obvious' wear is a small corner crease bottom right.  Aside from that it is incredibly clean - the edges and other corners are unmarked and the spine is near perfect with only a couple of minor indents.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is practically 'as new' with only that minor corner crease of course.  The back cover is also in fantastic shape with no wear.  The cover has also retained its original shape and structure extremely well as per one that has hardly been handled.  A stunning example.

The paper lyric inner has no side splits or tears, no marking and very little creasing.  The top edge has only a couple of tiny 'nicks' but you would be hard pressed to find a better one.  Very rarely found as clean as this today.

The poster is super clean with no splits, tears or marking on the 'front' and only a small number of faint spots on the reverse side.

Play Tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

BPRS 4501/2 // 1E / 1E

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!