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 2E / 1E Very Early Press RCA + Lyric Insert & Poster 1972

This first press variation on the RCA Victor label plays to a very high standard with only a little intrusion and there is certainly no loud interference!  Overall the clarity and depth of the audio is stunning and there is only a little light static on 2/3 tracks as detailed below, there are no clicks or pops.  The vinyl itself is in excellent shape with barely any spindle wear and cannot have been played very much.

The cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear and the paper lyric inner is in pretty good shape with only a little wear here and there.  The original poster which is so often missing remains is superb condition.

The first pressing on the RCA label had a 1E / 1E matrix and this one is known as the first, first press variation.  This edition has the Titanic publishing credits on the labels and no Mainman logo on the back cover.

LSP 4813 // BPRS 4501 - 2E   A2A (all etched) // BPRS 4502 - 1E  (stamped)   A4AX (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 VG for a few seconds then Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint- / T3 Ex / T5 intro Near Mint-)

The cover is Ex++

The lyric inner is VG++

The large poster is Near Mint

The RCA labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright light I can see some faint hairlines but there is nothing that stands out.  There is no groove or surface wear and the run out grooves are very clean.  The orange RCA Victor labels are practically 'as new' with no marking and hardly any spindle wear.

Play grading

The slow build up intro on 'Space Oddity' does have some static but it soon dissipates and Bowie's opening vocal then plays with stunning clarity.  As the volume increases into the first chorus the audio is phenomenal and it continues in the same precise way.  You really notice how clean and succinct the audio is, hear every subtle nuance in the music and you miss nothing.  The mid instrumental is perfect and the next vocal section is close to that with only a couple of minor background ticks.  The final vocal / closing instrumental play with genuine quality and no intrusion.  I will grade the intro as VG for the first few seconds and Near Mint for the remainder.

'Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed' plays with stunning quality through every vocal and instrumental.  In essence it is 'as new' with no background and the power and depth of the audio is superb.  I cannot remember hearing a better version and the long instrumental at the end is out of this world!  This is easily a Mint version.

The gentle intro on 'Letter To Hermione' plays with sublime clarity and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  There is just a hint of barely audible static in a couple of places but it's hardly worth a mention as is 100% non-intrusive.  A vocally driven track this 'folk' number grades as Mint-

The quiet intro on 'Cygnet Committee' is perfect and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  As the pace picks up there is no let up in quality, it plays so well.  Almost 'progressive' in style this is often regarded as a classic and you can see why!  The sonic quality is superb for a final track and Bowie's vocal is so strong throughout.  The higher octane vocal is a prime example of that - if there is any inner groove distortion it is so so minimal and I am probably doing myself a disservice by even putting it here!  The audio separation from start to finish is high end i.e. every note so sharp and precise and the final vocal just demands to be played loud!  Wow what a version and Mint- at the very least.

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The acoustic intro on 'Janine' has no background and Bowie's opening vocal is equally as clean.  The first chorus is perfect and it continues to play with stunning precision.  No ticks, clicks or pops and only a modicum of light static right at the end of the fade out.  Mint-

The intro on 'An Occasional Dream' plays very clearly with only very light intermittent static and the opening vocal section has hardly any background.  The instrumental bridge is nigh on perfect and the next vocal is very clean also with no real intrusion, just a handful of mega quiet statics.  The end vocal has no intrusion and overall Near Mint- is fair.

'The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud' has a very quiet intro and yet it plays so clearly with barely any static.  The first vocal is the same.  A couple of minor ticks on the next vocal and some very light background static but again this is not intrusive.  The powerful vocal plays perfectly and the closing section has only some light ticks right at the end, the only 'real' intrusion across the entire track.  I will grade as Ex but the majority does play extremely well and there are no clicks or pops.

'God Knows I'm Good' plays with imperious quality through every section.  A stunning version with great depth and warmth and no interference.  The acoustic sections play beautifully and without doubt Mint is well deserved.

The entire intro on 'Memory Of A Free Festival' plays so well with barely any background and the opening vocal section is very clean also with nothing intrusive.  This opening section is relatively quiet and yet the clarity of sound is very impressive.  If anything the second vocal is even better and the following 'busy' spoken section is superb.  The first part of The Sun Machine... vocal is STUNNING and it proceeds to play with a sonic quality that is off the scale!  I cannot overstate how well it plays - the power and definition of the audio is phenomenal and the quiet end vocal is as close to perfect as could be with only minimal light static on the fade out.  The intro is Near Mint- but from then on it has to grade as Mint- it truly is a superb listen.

The Cover, Lyric Sleeve and Poster

The cover is in superb condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the spine is close to perfect with only a couple of minor indents.  Only the two right hand corners have minor wear and the opening edge is incredibly clean.  The front cover is stunning with just one tiny indent and a faint crease both next to the spine and the back cover is just as impressive.  A mild touch of ringwear and a couple of very faint small creases next to the spine nothing more.  I was going to grade as Near Mint- but perhaps Ex++ is a more fair assessment.  A stunning cover anyway.

The paper lyric inner has one very small side split on the right edge and some 'spots' mainly in the left corner on 'S1', three of them are quite obvious as you can see.  Aside from that it is very clean and has only a little wear on the top edges and minimal creasing here and there.  The original and often missing glossy poster is in fantastic condition with only a handful of faint spots on the reverse side.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

LSP 4813 // BPRS 4501 - 2E   A2A (all etched) // BPRS 4502 - 1E  (stamped)   A4AX (etched)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

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Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

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Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!