DAVID BOWIE - ZIGGY STARDUST 1972 UK RARE 1st press : TITANIC, 1E/1E, NO MAINMAN

	£		29
	$		38

DAVID BOWIE - ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

Original UK 1972 12" LP 1st pressing on the RCA label, RCA SF 8287

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  BGBS 0864 - 1E, with AIAQ etched,  Side 2   BGBS 0865 - 1E, with AIAR etched,

An increasingly rare first pressing of this David Bowie classic with excellent audio quality. Note the 1st pressing "1E" matrices; also the glossy (not matt) labels, the absence of "MAINMAN" on the reverse of the sleeve, "VICTOR" (not "INTERNATIONAL") underneath the RCA lettering on the front of the sleeve in the top right hand corner, "Titanic" and "Chrysalis" credits on the labels, and lyrics on the inner sleeve.

Both sides of the vinyl have a nice lacquered sheen and the vinyl grooves remain perfectly defined. The vinyl is totally flat and has an excellent appearance. Held in a bright light, and at the correct angle, it is then possible to detect a few wispy spider lines and a couple of pencil thin small scuffs, but no scratches and certainly nothing below the surface.  EXCELLENT

The labels are almost perfect,..the only "blemish" being the faintest trace of a couple of spindle lines adjacent to the centre hole on each side - you will need to search really hard to locate them! NEAR MINT!

The non-laminated outer sleeve is very good. All of the edges and corners are well defined, including the spine, and all of the colours have retained their rich vibrancy. But there is some mild ring wear on both the front and reverse sides (see photos), a little scuffing on the bottom edge with minimal scuffing on the top edge, some mild (but noticeable) rubbing on the spine corners, and some mild discolouration/scuffing with a little creasing on the spine itself (see photo) - but all writing is perfectly legible.

 The inner sleeve (containing the lyrics) is excellent-. No splits or tears with just some very mild surface creasing and the hint of a little age discolouration.

The audio quality is overall excellent. Beautiful tone and clarity on both sides with no "pops" or skips, and just some very mild background crackle/interference during the intros to track 1 on each side. Each time I clean the vinyl this introductory background interference diminishes, so I am putting this down to dust in the grooves through years and years of storage. There are three mild clicks towards the beginning of Lady Stardust but even upon close inspection under a bright light I can't for the life of me see why...presumably the clicks are caused by dust in the grooves.

The track listing is :

Side 1 :

1. FIVE YEARS

2. SOUL LOVE

3. MOONAGE DAYDREAM

4. STARMAN

5. IT AIN'T EASY

Side 2:

1. LADY STARDUST

2. STAR

3. HANG ON TO YOURSELF

4. ZIGGY STARDUST

5. SUFFRAGETTE CITY

6. ROCK N' ROLL SUICIDE

An overall excellent- copy of this iconic glam/prog rock album - Bowie at his wonderful best. There are some minor blemishes, as detailed above, but overall an impressive and increasingly rare and sought after 1st pressing.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for more than 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements, (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for : UK £4.50, continental Europe £8, and Rest of the World £12. I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. Good luck with your bidding. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.