DAVID BOWIE Ziggy Stardust - RARER ORIG 72 UK -1E/-2E LP

	£		230
	$		305

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.75. Europe (including Russia) £12.50. Rest of World £16.50. ALL signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes.

PLEASE NOTE: Overseas packets that go through the customs system, can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to process and deliver, this IS normal. For Russia, this can take even longer and is out of my control, so please be patient.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible even yet another Royal Mail price hike, I will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably a little heavier.

Album Title: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

Producer(s): David Bowie & Ken Scott.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Five Years; Soul Love; Moonage Daydream; Starman; It Ain’t Easy.

Side 2: Lady Stardust; Star; Hang on to Yourself; Ziggy Stardust; Suffragette City; Rock n Roll Suicide.

Label/Format: RCA Victor – Original genuine 1972 first orange pressing with the intense colour and smooth finish. Importantly this has the ‘Titanic Music’ credits which indicates a first pressed 1972 copy that has very early matrixes. (Please see my label pictures).

Label Conditions: Both immaculate: ultra clean, super fresh and not a single spindle trace to be seen. This does not mean it is unplayed, but for sure it is a great indication it has received very few plays, and if so, with utmost care. My play-grade was little short of sensational and this on a label where, post-Decca, were not always reliable for flawless sound.

Cat Number: SF 8287 (LSP 4702).

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 135 grams. A little above average for this one. Later ones became very thin and flimsy.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: The earliest pressings from 1972 on the RCA Victor label are scarcer than later ones. This copy is pressed on REAL vinyl, NOT Dynaflex. This is easily determined as RCA orange copies pressed on the stuff had the word ‘Dynaflex’ printed on the labels – they are best avoided, they usually sound terrible and are not audiophile standard. The price guides seem to value ALL RCA copies the same which is plain stupid. The title itself is fairly easily found but most are later pressings. Many on RCA International with different coloured labels or on the dreaded aforementioned Dynaflex. A solidly pressed UK example with the prized -1E/-2E matrixes in hardly played conditions will always prove more challenging to find. The matrixes on this example are deeply machine punched and very clear and precise in solid Roman type (please see my close-up of the highly sort-after -1E matrix). For those who bought this album when first released, most played them into submission and finding originals that play really well are difficult. Often fans bought later copies as replacements for their originals. The more discerning collectors who do own the first made pressings will rarely want to part with them – and why would they? This record is sensational, and that is no exaggeration – it plays with audiophile mastertape quality with none of the inherent distortions, crackle or cutting issues many seen to inherent. The flimsy and fragile cover is also attractive. It has little real wear but does have some press marks seen under light. Original covers did NOT include the ‘Mainman’ logo on the back that was printed below the ‘GEM’ production (as seen in my picture). Again this was added quickly after 72. Also, the very delicate lyric inner is seldom seen untorn, split or heavily creased (of a combination of all). This inner again has the ‘Titanic’ credit and no reference to Mainmain. This record, almost unbelievably, is now 41 years old, and so many of the first issues were often badly treated by younger buyers of the time. This Bowie masterwork is without doubt a 1972 pressing with the -1E/-2E matrixes, -1E/-1E’s do exist – I have had a couple in the past – but are even more elusive. The most important factor for me bar none is the sound quality and even the most mint looking copies can disappoint with horrible noises within manufacture. Nothing can be seen, only heard, but this copy has nothing to fault at all and is up there with the very best Ziggy’s I have ever heard. The detail and delivery of the music is powerful and crisp – the separation, clarity and precision of the vocals and instruments is jaw-dropping. So often the final song, the non-hit single ‘Rock n Roll Suicide’ is where the pressing sounds can be heard, when Bowie sings loudly, ‘Your’re not alone’, it can break up with horrible distortion, but here nothing unwanted – and what a relief that was as all before it was sensational. For those wanting to experience this monumental issue in it’s full fidelity glory, look no further – it’s here.

Original Year of Release: 1972

Matrix Nos: BGBS 0864-1E / BGBS 0865-2E (Again please see close-up). All deeply punched in block characters. Later copies were scripted and appear scratched on.

Musicians: David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone; Mick Ronson – guitar, piano, vocals; Trevor Bolder – bass guitar; Mick Woodmansey – drums.

Brief Info: The most suprising statistic about this groundbreaking masterpiece is the fact it only made number 5 in the UK and a lowly 75 in the US for without doubt this is one of greatest popular albums ever made. Totally timeless and it’s popularity and charisma only strengthens as it ages (a bit like the man himself). Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself has allowed the singer to follow a fascinating career. The blend of rock star persona and alien creature defining Ziggy Stardust was probably his greatest creation. Reinforced by the support of legendary guitarist Mick Ronson, Bowie produced some of his finest songs, from the raucous ‘Suffragette City’ to the prophetic ‘Rock n Roll Suicide’, also arguably his finest ever song ‘Starman’ which never fails to delight - the singer would famously declare Ziggy dead during a live concert. Science fiction was combined with the love of theatre to bring a visual nature to an album that remains central to Bowie’s wide-ranging catalogue. The opening song is blood-chilling: the apocolyptic ‘Five Years’ is bleak in its intensity and pulls no punches lyrically as planet Earth is dying ‘…With just five years left to cry in’. It also has one of the most famous covers in music history too - can any record collection ever be complete without a copy of this record? This copy on offer is strong with the record’s sound little short of stunning. Superbly recorded and produced, but sometimes manufacture quality let it down. Often invisible distortions, pressing bubbles and crackle spoil the wonderful sound. This one has NO distortion or pressing flaws at all and offers the most wonderful clean sound with barely anything unwanted at all. So many purchased by teenagers of the time, played on cheap and less than vinyl-friendly record players – often with coins on the headshell in order to track stacked singles. Many loaned out, written on and played to destruction. No small wonder records from the ‘glam-era’ and before were quickly worn and trashed. The cover, never laminated is most always seen worn and rubbed as is the frail illustrated inner, very thin paper always makes this seen torn or split or worse. As stated already, this has little real wear, but does have some writing impression when viewed under angled light. Seen normally, it barely even shows. Unusually, all the spine text intact too, that a major bonus as the spines were quite narrow and prone to all forms of wear too. Bowie gave the world Ziggy – the Starman – and one of the most famous catch-phrases ever to burst-forth from any record – ‘WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA’AM’! This was his route to superstardom.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High+: made with thin card and the earlier ones with thicker records inside usually left their (rim) mark freely. Most are seen rubbed, faded, ringworn, badly creased and even torn. Later ones were coated with a more shiny surface and of course these will be seen in better conditions more often. But the matt originals without the Mainmain logo are a far different matter.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: and in terms of real wear, it is worthy of a higher grade. A single unlaminated format, made with thin card with matt surfaces. It is very delicate indeed and includes all the attributes of the 1972 printed cover. It has the RCA Victor logo (NOT INTERNATIONAL) as seen on many reprinted repressings. This has the SF 8287 (LSP 4702) number and only the ‘GEM PRODUCTION’ text and logo on back and NO ‘Mainmain’ reference, these came post 1972. Printed and made in England by Robert Stace. It includes the fragile paper lyric inner.

Cover Front: One of the most famous album covers of all time and this front does it a high degree of justice. Viewed normally, this has little to fault at all with any rim impression or rubbing very light and faint. Under angled light, some pressmark writing is seen, fine and faint only and all-but invisible unless searched for by angling the cover. Very few creases, again unusual for this quite flimsy cover, these mostly light and faint as well. The surface is clean and the colour rich and unfaded, not for the perfectionist, but it sets a high standard.

Cover Back: The back is very impressive with little to fault at all. A few hairline surface edge creases few will ever escape but little else. The lack if ring wear is a considerable plus as few ever avoid it.

Top Edge: Minimal traces of wear and still very straight.

Bottom Edge: Very light patchy rubbing, given it’s lack of thickness and being the traditional storage edge, this is near exceptional.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean and sharp with minimal traces of any wear, any burr or thickening traces are tiny and barely even register, even viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed. Viewing end-on, emphasises how thin this card is and it’s chances of avoiding often considerable wear and damage.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with a little fairly gentle compression. The white surface still clean and fresh. All text is unworn, crisp and neat, also well centred on a fairly narrow depth as seen in my close-up picture. One of the very few I have ever seen with all the text totally unworn.

Corners: Small tip rubs with fine to very fine shape retained.

Cover Summary: An uncompromising and flimsy cover made with very thin card that is seldom seen without considerable wear and damage. Beware of ‘Mainmain’ logo examples on the back being offered as ‘originals’, they are not, they came after the year of issue (or later still). The same goes for RCA International ones that are later still. This only gives fairly subtle clues to it’s considerable, and genuine age with any wear mildly faint and light. Not perfectionist standard with the light impressions on the front, but one to please many Bowie fans and collectors. Finding an ultimate Mint 1972 version will prove immensely difficult indeed and few will show less wear than this.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: this has the Gem Production credits and is copyrighted by Titanic Music, it includes all song lyrics. This fragile inner is very difficult to find looking this clean and fresh with so little wear or edge issues. Made with thin unlined paper, few survive unsplit and this one is just that and with NO repairs. Two corner creases, often a practice owners used to stop the record falling out, but little else to fault. Some rim impression is seen on the text side, again near impossible to avoid and often present from new. Overall, clean and aged little with barely any hint of adhesive seam darkening or toning.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): and as close to my full Mint(-) grading as I can imagine. Any surface traces or hairlines being minuscule and super-faint as seen with utmost point-blank scrutiny under bright angled light. One of those rare sort-after -1E’s that has not been abused or over-played on lesser equipment. In fact, if I could prove it, I would think this had not been played more than once and both playing surfaces look stunning. Overall, a very clean and fresh looking example that is intense black, shiny and very solidly pressed. A copy barely even run-in in vinyl terms and offering the most sensational quality sound devoid of any horrible pressing noises or cutting flaws – the invisible peril that often tarnish this and other RCA records from this time when pressing quality was variable. This the time of the oil shortage crisis, many records were not always pressed with virgin vinyl, but this is a beauty. A high percentage of this records were bought by young teenagers from the ‘Glam-rock’ era, most would have been played on vintage record players that had little finese and massive tracking weights. This one bucks the trend more and appears more carefully stored, handled and very modestly played. Yes the faint press marks on the front of the cover is a small minus, but the record is simply gorgeous with sound to match. Visually a super example that should please just about all collectors. I can hardly imagine a better one for audio quality.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This more elusive and genuine very early pressed record, one of the very first in fact, plays even above it’s high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound (never take that for granted on this, or any RCA pressing post Decca era), all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Regarding distortion (or severe pressing sounds) the invisible menace of even the cleanest, minty looking records. I have heard several examples of this, and other early Bowie albums that have it. I had a genuine first pressed ‘Hunky Dory’ with the laminated cover some while ago. The record sounded terrible, so-much-so, I did not even offer it, and that is a very rare one indeed. RCA records around this time were highly variable, some play perfect, some far less so and many somewhere inbetween. Some collectors will know the ‘Fresh Maggots’ album on the same label, this is reputed not to even exist without severe blister marks that make the surfaces look like Brail, and quite frankly, unplayable. And the Andy Roberts album similar with less than perfect sound. This ‘Ziggy’ has no such pressing issues and all tracks through effortlessly with clean crisp sound. This proved an immensely enjoyable experience with incredible detail and separation. In terms of dynamics and detail, nothing will ever beat a first pressed vinyl copy of this classic album. The sound is so clean with details any CD collector will have certainly not have heard before. The sounds just flow with crispness and real sonic power – the pace and rhythm is second-to-none and the ‘Starman’ could almost be in the room with you. Practically devoid of surface sound on the music with all focused and crisp. An exceptional clean pressing for a fairly intense and demanding album. Later pressings of this were even more variable and avoid those wretched Dynaflex copies at all costs. The sound on these unworn grooves are definitive and this can be played loud, as the cover suggests, with confidence. Few copies will outperform this earliest of pressings I feel sure. Play-grading this album is essential, pressing nasties cannot be seen, only heard and often this album will disappoint. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly (if indeed at all) and has been generally well stored and carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record – time has not changed this one, a real pleasure to view and hear. This -1E/-2E pressing will prove near impossible to find significantly better and merits my highest possible recommendation – ‘WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA’AM’!

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.