David Bowie Hunky Dory Vinyl UK First Pressing Rare Bobil and Rasputin matrix

	£		47
	$		62

This is an original FIRST PRESSING copy of David Bowie's 1971 classic album Hunky Dory. RCA Victor, UK pressing with original glossy orange labels. SF8244 (LSP 4623).
Please note that this is not the very first pressing laminated sleeve with no Gem logo on the back copy dating from December 1971.  Those sell for hundreds of pounds as original album sales were poor and so there are not many around. This is the next best thing, the very first all matt sleeve print but still with the first pressing vinyl which you can tell from the much sought after ‘BOBIL’ AND ‘RASPUTIN’ ETCHINGS ON THE RUNOUT.  Bobil was short for Bob Hill one of the original album’s sound engineers but the source of Rasputin is not clearly documented from my reading.  
The vinyl is VG -.  It has been played right through and carefully checked. The first thing noticeable about the vinyl is how heavy and solid it is. Plays well with absolutely no jumps or skips. Has been cleaned. There is the usual background crackle as with almost all vinyl of this age. Most importantly in identifying a first pressing of this album, are BOTH the ‘Bobil’ and ‘Rasputin’ etchings on the dead wax / runouts which are becoming very rare and hard to come by. There are NO MAINMAN CREDITS ON THE LABELS. Later pressings from later in 1972 / early 1973 credited Mainman on the labels after Bowie’s then manager, Tony Defries created the Mainman group of publishing companies. Copies of this album with no Mainman credits on the labels can still be found but very very few with the first pressing Bobil and Rasputin etchings. 
The matrix numbers are the original first press 3T 3T matrices. APRS 5947 3T on both sides. 
The sleeve is the first matt print, Robert Stace cover with NO MAINMAN LOGO on the back of the sleeve and is VG.  The later pressings again from later in 1972 / early 1973 had the Mainman logo added to the rear.
The labels are the original glossy orange labels only found on the first issues and not the matt orange labels found on the slightly later pressings. These are in excellent condition.    
Comes with original lyric insert which is also in excellent condition as is the inner sleeve. The vinyl will be delivered in a new white anti-static inner sleeve and the sleeve in a protective plastic cover.    Please look closely at the photos to see condition of the items as these the visual description.  I have added the maximum number of photos to show all the main features of this highly collectable piece. 
All facts and dates are stated from research from years of being a Bowie fan and collector but a buyer / collector should confirm history for themselves.  
Please ask any questions asked before bidding. Happy to answer anything asked.  
Will be packaged robustly and well protected. 
VINYL GRADING MINT (M): Unsealed. New/Unplayed
NEAR MINT (NM): No obvious marks. Perfect sound. Faultless sleeve.
EXCELLENT (E): One or two barely visible surface marks.  Sleeve may have minimal wear or creasing.
VERY GOOD (VG): Light surface marks/scratches, possibility of some surface noise.  Plays with no jumps or skips. Writing/stickers on labels.  Sleeve may have ring mark, edge wear, writing, stickers.
GOOD (G): Surface marks with possible crackle/distortion.  Sleeve may have folds, scuffs, spine splits, discolouration, writing, stickers.
FAIR (F): Heavy surface marks with possible crackle, distortion, jumps.  Sleeve may have folds, scuffs, spine splits, discolouration, writing, stickers. Collection filler.