David Bowie : Low A1 / B2 1st Press + Fan Club Insert 1977

This first pressing plays with stunning audio and NO interference!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is exceptional and I just cannot fault the audio.  There are a small number of dust ticks at most, there is quite simply no intrusion on the audio at all, and you will not be surprised to hear that this is a another FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing that I have up for auction here.  The vinyl is visually stunning and with no spindle wear on the labels I suspect this record has hardly been played.  The sonic quality confirms that in my opinion!

Every component of this album has been preserved beautifully.  The cover is practically 'as new' and the 12'' paper insert, the fan insert and the original inner sleeve are all in superb condition.

As this is a first pressing the cover has the orange sticker with the tracklisting on the back cover.  

PL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶  W AIAJ (all etched) STERLING (stamped)

PL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2  W A2AL (all etched) STERLING (stamped)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint

The fan club insert is Mint-

The 12'' paper insert is Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex++

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition with a lovely glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches.  All I can see under a strong light are some faint sleeve removal hairlines and the run out grooves are very clean also.  The orange RCA Victor labels are perfect with no marking and no spindle wear.

Play grading

The instrumental 'Speed Of Life' plays beautifully from start to finish with no intrusion and that includes the fade out.  Mint is very much deserved.

'Breaking Glass' and 'What In The World' both play to the same high end standard with no interference not even a dust tick.  As always I play every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grade.  Both grade as Mint such is the quality.

The long intro on 'Sound And Vision' plays perfectly and 'as new' is a correct description.  This clarity and depth is kept up as Bowie's vocal comes in and from then on plays with immaculate audio right through to the very end.  The sonic quality is STUNNING!  Another Mint track there is no need for a minus here!

'Always Crashing In The Same Car' once again shows just how little this vinyl has been played and plays with faultless audio from the first note to the last with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Just pure unadulterated Mint audio.

The intro on 'Be My Wife' is perfect and Bowie's opening vocal is just as impressive.  It continues to play with stunning precision through every section and Mint is again deserved.

'A New Career In A New Town' plays with impeccable quality once more.  Some quieter sections here and yet the clarity is incredible - all I noticed were a handful of barely audible dust ticks and I do mean barely audible!  It continues to play with great depth and warmth and it provides a Mint conclusion to S1.  What a side!

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The opening section on 'Warszawa' plays so clearly and there is nothing that intrudes on the audio.  The clarity of sound is stunning and it continues to play to the highest standard possible.  I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays and the 'vocal' section is another prime example of that.  A beautiful Mint version of this experimental track.

The intro on 'Art Decade' again plays with sublime clarity and the quality does not drop as you progress further.  Has this record ever been played before?!  You can hear each note so succinctly and it has a CD like clean aesthetic sound but without the warmth and depth you only get from vinyl.  A very small number of dust ticks that really do not warrant a mention as you don't notice them!  Another STUNNING Mint instrumental.

'Weeping Wall' is so so close to perfect with only a 4/5 very light ticks - so light and totally non-intrusive.  It still plays with unbelievable clarity and Mint- is still a fair assessment of the audio.

Perhaps the quietest instrumental on the side 'Subterraneans' nonetheless plays beautifully with no background at all.  You would not believe how crystal clear the audio is!  You can hear each subtle nuance in the music and I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint - a STUNNING end to the album.

In summary this first pressing could really not play any better.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the music is second to none and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing.  I cannot find one single fault with it and it is patently obvious it has hardly been played in my opinion.  Not only that but it has also been so well preserved over the last 46 years and that applies also to all the other components.  A superb 'package' for sure .

The Cover, 12'' Insert, Fan Club Insert & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in fantastic condition and has perfectly retained its original shape and structure with no bending or creasing.  The edges, spine and corners are supremely clean, never seen better, and the opening edge is nigh on perfect with just one barely visible 'crimp' that I have more or less reduced to nothing anyway!  The front cover is in beautiful condition and is unmarked and the back cover is almost as good with only a couple of very faint 'spots'.  There is a fade line running alongside the top edge but this is common as I have the same on another copy I own.  The orange sticker is perfect and remains firmly attached to the cover.  A STUNNING example of this Garrod cover.

The 12'' paper insert is unmarked and has only the lightest of creasing and the fan club insert is also in lovely condition with no marking, tearing or creasing.  The original inner sleeve could hardly look any better and again has only very minimal creasing.  It is date coded 12-76 in one corner

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

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

PL 12030-A-1 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶A̶ R̶S̶1̶1̶0̶8̶A̶-̶1̶  W AIAJ (all etched) STERLING (stamped)

PL 12030-B-2 A̶P̶L̶1̶2̶0̶3̶0̶-̶B̶ R̶S̶ ̶1̶1̶0̶8̶B̶-̶2  W A2AL (all etched) STERLING (stamped)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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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!!

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

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

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LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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!