DAVID BOWIE - ZIGGY STARDUST - 1st PRESS - STUNNING AUDIO - Nr Mint

	£		88
	$		116

ym40 Store

DAVID BOWIE

THE FALL AND RISE OF

ZIGGY STARDUST

AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

DAVID BOWIE

THE FALL AND RISE OF

ZIGGY STARDUST

AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

UK 1st PRESS, WITH TITANIC MUSIC/CHRYSALIS MUSIC 1st PRESS GLOSS LABELS, EARLY MATRIX 1E/2E 

NO MAINMAN ON ROBERT STANCE MATT 1st PRESS SLEEVE.

STUNNING AUDIO QUALITY!

CAT NO:.. SF8287 (LSP 4702)

RELEASED:.. 6th JUNE 1972

LABEL:.. RCA VICTOR

LABEL DETAILS:.. 1st PRESS GLOSS ORANGE LABELS, WITH TITANIC MUSIC/CHRYSALIS MUSIC, RONDOR TRACK 5 CREDIT. MANUFACTURED BY RCA LIMITED, ENGLAND FROM MASTER RECORDINGS, IN WHITE CURVED LETTERING.

MATRIX:..

SIDE ONE: BGBS 0864-1E  SIDE TWO: BGBS 0865-2E

RUN-OUT:..

SIDE ONE: B1 QA  SIDE TWO: A2 AC (HAND ETCHED)

Tracks on this album were arranged by both David Bowie and the now late Mick Ronson, and all tracks for this album were written by Bowie with exception of Track 5 It Ain't Easy by Ron Davis, and the Label clearly credits rights to Rondor Music. Mick Ronson (Guitarist) who with Trevor Bolder (Bassist) and Nick Woodmansey (on Drums) made up Bowie's group 'Spiders From Mars' on this album. 

The concept album tells the story of Bowie's alter-ego Ziggy Stardust an alien who visits earth and takes on the form of an English Rock Star. David Bowie considered this an excellent idea for the next album whilst promoting his Honky Dory album in New York.

The album has always been considered a work of brilliance by critics and fans alike, and so it's no surprise that the album still holds the position 35th greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone.

The Sleeve artwork designed by Terry Pastor, with Photography by Brian Ward has Bowie's Ziggy Stardust stood under the K.West sign. K.West was a tanners based in 23, Heddon Street, London, W1. The Post Office in the background of the Cover photo is now a Restaurant & Wine Bar called 'The Living Room'. Ziggy is pictured facing East towards the City of London with left foot on a cardboard box. Under the weak illumination of a wall mounted gas lamp the night photo gives the image deep shadows. Ziggy Stardust's arrival to earth with guitar waiting to entertain us all is the is basically the sleeves theme. 

The back of the Sleeve, Ziggy leans against the coin operated phone in the K series Red Phone Box, which was once removed for the Blue type phone booth, but then returned to the exact location in 1997 following street renovations in the area. The rear of this early 1st press sleeve has no MAINMAN credit as expected and can be found on later pressings. Plus a sometime overlooked point, is the Lack of RCA logo in the top left-hand corner on these early sleeves. Track List and track duration times, credits can be found also. 

A point worth noting about the early 1st press sleeves are the colours used and the print contrast of the images on each side, later 1st pressing sleeves having a slightly darker and less vibrant tone and colour to them. Also later 1st pressings have the title and Cat No on the spine positioned about 1cm to the left of the very earliest sleeves.

TRACK LIST:..

Side One

1. Five Years 4:42'

2. Soul Love 3: 34'

3. Moonage Daydream 4:40'

4. Starman 4:10'

It Ain't Easy 2:58'

Side Two

1. Lady Stardust 3:22'

2. Star 2:47'

3. Hang On To Yourself 2:40'

4. Ziggy Stardust 3:13'

5. Suffragette City 3:25'

6. ROCK 'n' ROLL Suicide

INNER SLEEVE:..

The correct 1st press inner sleeve front, has David Bowie, and the members of the 'Spiders From Mars' inset photos and  credits for Titanic Music Limited/Chrysalis Limited Reprinted by permission under the lyrics for ROCK 'N' ROLL SUICIDE. On the back the titles and lyrics to all the songs of the album, except the track 'It Ain't Easy'. The Inner Sleeve is found in very good condition, it has a short tear about 2cm long to the top on the rear side.  

LABELS:..

The gloss 1st Press labels are both found in Mint condition without spindle marks.

THE VINYL:..

Visually under spot lamp the vinyl looks clean and grooves are free of trapped dust. The surface has just a couple of very light sleeve removal lines can be made out, and these are only visible under this strong light. One faint short surface line on side one can be made out however it's just on the surface and clearly would have no affect on audio quality. NEAR MINT

AUDIO TEST:..

SIDE ONE: Has just the lightest of static ticks on the intro of the first track, these are expected from vinyl and are short lived. The Audio is exceptionally clear and sounds brilliant at the intended high volume for grading, however the sleeve notes request 'TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME', "perhaps not with a modern 750 watt amp were my thoughts!" Side One plays through all 5 tracks with Stunning clarity and sound separation, and has to be graded as NEAR MINT

SIDE TWO: Has some notable static ticks at the intro of the first track, but again short lived and 'Lady Stardust' plays with fantastic clarity. 'Star' has two short clicks at the intro and can only be in the pressing. 'Hang on to Yourself' a fast moving track has the brilliant power and clarity. 'Ziggy Stardust' plays with power and excellent Drum Bass. 'Suffragette City' another fast pace track, the audio throughout record has a clean sound, but the quality of this early pressing is really heard in this complex track, BRILLIANT! The Side Two is finished off with 'ROCK 'N' ROLL SUICIDE' and grades the record NEAR MINT    

AUDIO QUALITY

The Audio quality has been play graded using my Pro-Ject Xtension 10 turntable with Ortofon 2M Black cartridge and diamond Stylus.

I would like to stress that this record for sale is from my personal collection and I have graded it conscientiously using The Record Collectors Grading System for its overall condition. however if you feel the grading is not correct then I will be happy to refund your money in full on the return of the same to me promptly, I you have any questions regarding this or any other listing I have from my collection of vinyl then please message me through ebay, Thank You for looking and happy bidding, ym40

POSTAGE AND PACKING

Postage within the UK for this record is £3.65 for recorded delivery. Your record will be packed to a high a standard. I only use brand new high quality record mailers. All records are removed from Cover sleeve before packing. The record and its sleeve are sealed in a plastic outer to prevent any possible moisture touching this record during postage. I use stiffeners to protect the record. I can combine postage for more than one record, costs varies for weight, so please message me. I will pack valuable records into mailing box for added protection. Records can be insured before mailing at extra cost. All records sent Overseas will be packed as above, however mailing boxes are better for long-haul shipments. I will use Royal Mail, either Airmail or Airsure please message me for postage costs for these shipping costs. The image below is the how I package the records that I sell from my collection.

PAYMENT

Payment through Paypal and this must be within 3 days of winning the Item, however if this not possible please contact me to make an alternative arrangements for payment or to change the payment date. Please note if no payment or any contact has not been made with me within the 3 days, I have reserved right to offer the item to the preceding bidder, the second chance option.

RECORD COLLECTORS GRADING SYSTEM

MINT The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and extra items are in perfect condition. Records advertised sealed or un-played should be mint.

EXCELLENT 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 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 the record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover suffers from folding scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration etc.