The Smiths Ask Original 1987 Australian 7" Unique Sleeve Morrissey
  €   252
  $   274

 


€ 252 Sold For
Jan 17, 2013 Sold Date
Jan 10, 2013 Start Date
€   149 Start price
3   Number Of Bids
  Germany Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
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Description

The Smiths - 'Ask' Australian 7" - 1987

Catalogue no. RTANZ 019 - Rough Trade / CBS

As the Smiths collector will already know, this is a true rarity which hardly ever comes up for sale these days. This auction is for the Australian 7" release of the 'Ask' single, which had the special distinction of having been released in sleeves with unique artwork in a few of the countries in which it was issued. This was actually released in Australia in 1987, a year after its appearance in the UK and other countries, and was produced in 7" and 12" format. As the Record Collector 2005 article states, it is the 12" format which is, although very rare and desirable in itself, the more common of the two and it asserts that many collectors were unaware of the existence of this 7" version. It goes on to explain that many copies of this 7" were issued in plain record-company sleeves, which makes this copy, with the rare and sought-after artwork, particularly scarce and collectable. This sleeve is noteworthy in that it represents one of the very few occasions that Morrissey, as was the case for any member of the Smiths, officially appeared on the artwork during the lifetime of the band. In addition, the sleeve is unique in that it differs even from the 12" version in the position of the lettering and in subtle details. In the case of the 12" the band name appears at the top and the single title is printed at the bottom, whereas this is reversed in the case of the 7" as seen here. Furthermore the image of the well-known Smiths tour poster in the background, in front of which Morrissey was photographed for the sleeve, is cropped in the case of the 12" single. On the sleeve of the 7" here, you can actually see the tour dates and venues very faintly in the background at the bottom of the photograph of the poster. This is a very rare and special item indeed, and it may be some time before you see another for sale again. Record unplayed ! Sleeve is in mint condition! Ceck out my other auction with 12" Australian ´Ask. Shipping within Germany is free, 4 Euros Europe. 7 Euros overseas.


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