DAVID BOWIE HUNKY DORY - TRUE 1st UK PRESS - LAMINATED FRONT COVER & NO GEM LOGO
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This is a true, original 1st UK pressing. It is not a reissue.
It is widely known that the first UK pressing of Hunky Dory had a laminated front cover.
Although that is true, it is not the whole story. It must also have no Gem logo on the back cover. The omission of the Gem logo was a mistake which was quickly rectified with a second issue, still with a laminated front cover, but with the Gem logo reinstated. Those second pressings are much more common than the first pressing.
This is an original, laminated 1st pressing with no Gem logo and it has the following 1st press matrix numbers:
Side one: APRS 5947 - 3T
Side two: APRS 5948 - 3T
The run outs are etched with 'Bobil' and 'Rasputin', and importantly, the additional etched numbers A1E and A1D confirm that this is the correct earliest vinyl that came with the earliest cover. The lyric sheet is also the original which is slightly darker and printed on heavier paper than re-issues. It is very rare to find a true first pressing with all the original elements.
Description
Disc: The vinyl has retained
its original sheen with a few marks visible on each side in
normal light and some additional hairlines and sleeve-removal lines when
viewed under bright, direct light, but there is nothing bad anywhere. I have played the whole record from start to finish and it plays really well with no major issues. There is some background noise in the run-ins/outs, fades, silent grooves and intros and the occasional random click. On side one there were a handful of places where I heard three or four small clicks, but nothing intrusive or persistent and it still sounds great. Importantly, the quiet track 'Quicksand' plays superbly. Side two is very similar to side one, although there were a few more clicks in 'Fill your Heart' and a tiny repetitive tic that starts in the fade to 'Queen Bitch' and continues into the first verse of 'The Bewlay Brothers', plus a few louder clicks, but the tic is very quiet and the other clicks are quickly gone, but they are mentioned for the sake of complete accuracy. Aside from the minor issues mentioned, most of both sides sounds great. Overall. I think that many people would probably play-grade this overall around Excellent, but I am going to play-grade it as a SAFE Excellent Minus (Ex-).
Sleeve: The rare sleeve, laminated on the front and no Gem logo on the rear, has no seam splits, tears, writing, stickers etc, just some signs of age or use, including wear to the edges and corners and some minor marks and grubbiness etc. There are a few tiny issues that have been carefully restored or rectified, but overall this is a great example of a very rare item.
Insert: Original first press insert which is darker and on heavier paper, has a few creases and signs of handling etc, but no major issues.
Detracting features not covered above: None.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. Please ask any questions before you bid or buy.
Where gradings are given these are based on the UK Record Collector grading system (see below) and are visual gradings only, unless the listing specifically states that it is a play-grading.
I use the UK RECORD COLLECTOR GRADING SYSTEM. This grading system differs from some other grading systems, in particular the Goldmine grading system. Please make sure that you are familiar with the UK record collector grading system before you bid.
Mint: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed 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 and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.
Fair: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.
Poor: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
Bad: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
Plus (+) or Minus (-) are added where items fall between gradings. I only ever use one plus or minus.
P&P costs as follows:
UK:
First LP or 12" record = £4.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.
First 7" record = £3.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.
Europe:
First LP or 12" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.
First 7" record = £11.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.
Rest of the world:
First LP or 12" record = £24.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.
First 7" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.
