Sold Date: September 19, 2016
Start Date: September 12, 2016
Final Price: £235.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 15
Seller Feedback: 4261
Buyer Feedback: 54

Don't you wonder sometimes,
'Bout sound and vision?

Blue, blue, electric blue,
That's the color of my room, where I will live,
Blue, blue.

Pale blinds, drawn all day.
Nothing to do, nothing to say.
Blue, blue.

I will sit right down, Waiting for the gift of sound and vision,
And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision,
Drifting into my solitude, over my head.

Don't you wonder sometimes,
'Bout sound and vision?
DAVID BOWIE: "Low" LP, THE VERY FIRST UK PRESSING MADE, ISSUED 14th JANUARY, 1977.
FIRST PRESSING UK COVERS HAD A STICKER ON THE BACK WITH THE TRACK LISTING, EVEN THAT DIFFERED FROM
  THE LABEL FORMAT,  ALTHOUGH THE SIDES WERE PRINTED INDIVIDUALLY, THE STICKER'S TRACK FORMAT WERE
  NUMBERED FROM '1. - 11.' ,  THE LABELS NUMBERED THEM IN TWO STAGES, FROM '1.- 7.' & '1. - 4.'
I WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS FIRST EDITION 1977 MATT COVER IS IN REMARKABLE MINT- CONDITION, 'MINUS'
  ALLOWS FOR A REALLY LIGHT RECORD IMPRESSION  AND SLIGHTEST STANDING PRESSURE ON THE SPINE TIP.
  IN FACT, EVEN THAT IS HOW THE COVER WAS FOLDED AND MINT IS MORE REALISTIC BECAUSE THIS COULD NEVER
  BE IMPROVED ON WITHOUT SHRINK WRAPPING .
  I did sell an extremely rare shrink wrapped UK first pressing "Low" in 2014, the first I have ever seen and I doubt very much
  if another exists....but I never say 'never.'  I set a ridiculous standard for every David Bowie album I sell and I have risen to
  the challenge to locate another unplayed "Low" that is very close to that rare shrink wrapped cover, well, this is so close
  it's touching it!  Not forgetting an unplayed very first pressing record  inside pure white, original RCA inner sleeve.
 

SOFT TEXTURED ORANGE RCA LABEL: PL 12030  (CPL1 2030)
The same design and colour labels were used in just about every country in the world, like all Bowie's albums in the 1970's,
you do need to read them for which country the records were pressed in and also the covers/inserts for where they were
printed.  Another unusual event was the London based British RCA, were sending UK printed covers to European countries to
use for their own pressings, which does tend to make a complex period....complicated!  Over at Reprise and several other UK
record companies, particularly in the late 1970's , the reverse was happening with only a minimal records and covers were being
made here and imports were brought in very quickly, the imports were poised ready to replace the UK pressing and printing.
On ebay, so many David Bowie albums are being sold as UK originals, that are from countries as diverse as Canada and Greece,
  UK printed covers will always have RCA's 'Curzon Street, London, W1' address on the back cover's centre bottom rim.  I took a
picture of the tracks sticker, out of sight but directly underneath, is the publication year and the above UK address.
  I had to compile several items into one picture, especially for the unbelievable volume of maitrix and mastering indexing in the
  run-out grooves. The labels contain this essential information on the bottom rims in white printing on the top line;

"Manufactured By RCA Ltd. England From Master Recordings"

The labels are very distinctive, these very first pressings have an extra concentric ring around the centre hole.  As they are
  softly textured labels, the slightest spindle contacts left easily seen traces, there are none at all on either side, like the
  vinyl they are in immaculate, unplayed condition.   All details given here can be viewed in the pictures, during our record fair
  trading days, I only sold David Bowie's albums in Mint condition, that has continued onto ebay, "Low" was always heavily played
  and this is only the second  time I am offering a UK "Low", what an amazing ultimate condition very first UK pressing this is!
  I enjoy 'chatting' generally while giving  basic pressing details and condition's, it breaks the routine but I had better get on,
as ever, the indexing of very first pressed RCA records was never simple.  They contain the same information as the initial
Test Pressing records, which were the first vinyl created before standard records were made from the same metal pressing plates.
Now for full concentration to present them without complicating things, even though this album tests my ability to document all
the details accurately, details that are exclusive to the genuine very first UK pressings.


PRESSED BY CBS, THIS CONTAINS NO END OF HAND SCRIBED INDEXING AND CROSSING OUT, STILL VISIBLE, SO
ALL WILL BE INCLUDED BECAUSE COLLECTIVELY, THIS IDENTIFIES THE VERY FIRST UK PRESSING OF "Low."

  (1) UK MAITRIX (2) SECOND MAITRIX (3) MASTERING LOGO'S FOR BOTH SIDES, (4) MASTERING STUDIO
All mastering was hand scribed, as the very first UK pressing, this record has the original 'Sterling Sound' mastering and
indexing, RCA first pressings usually contain more than one maitrix and I will give the Side's run-out grooves individually.
Logic must be set aside because indexing was the work of one sound engineer and digits per side, were not in numerical orders.
SIDE 1:
(1)  PL 12030 - A-1  (Hand scribed)

(2)  APL  I  203 - A  &  RS  1108 A - 1 (Hand scribed and crossed out, conveniently close enough for one picture)

(3)  A 35   W  (Hand scribed and too spread to include let alone add to the complex enough picture.)

(4) 'Sterling Sound' (Machine stamped but  unable to fit into the compiled picture for obvious reasons)


SIDE 2
(1)  PL 12030 - B - 2 (Hand scribed)

(2)  RS 1108 B - 2  &  APL  I  203  - B*  (Hand scribed and crossed out, pictured individually in descending order as the final
items in the compiled picture.)

 (3)  A 2 C  (Hand scribed and too spread out to include, let alone add to the complex enough picture.)

(4) 'Sterling Sound' (Machine stamped, but once again unable to be included.)


Please do not send me any variations, I am fully aware they exist and this is the very first because the crossed out Side 2 UK
maitrix has the same 'B-2' ending, 'RS 1108 B - 2,' mirroring the 'A-1' of the UK maitrix with the 'RS 1108 A - 1.'  I have been
studying these very items before the internet existed and introduced virtually everything now available on websites, so much
has been distorted, misunderstood and sad to say, manipulated by sellers to suit the record in front of them.  I have also seen
several sellers mistaking my comments about Test Pressings, ridiculous claims are being made about the standard pressings
made to sell in record shops as...'Test Pressings'. Nothing could be further than the reality of vinyl manufacturing, no way were
Test Pressings allowed to be sold or used as Promo's, they were only for a sound engineer, record producer and often the artist
to listen to.   Checking all was well with the mastering, the mix and even the track configuration, even then mistakes were made!
The indexing on the same metal metal plates as approved Test Pressings, was then transferred onto the very first pressings along
with any additional alterations or corrections of errors in the indexing.  As a record seller and a collector, I find that very useful
to clearly identify the very first made records.  I could not fit the 6 items into the 12 pictures available, for the UK maitrix,
I had to compile the pair into one picture.  Hand scribed details are much harder to get positive images of, I used shadows to
create a 'negative' so pictures are clear enough to read, enough to identify this record is positively a very first UK pressing.
I deliberately avoided looking at the 'Discogs' website, last time involved extra typing to prove them wrong and nothing could
possibly predate this record even if I did not include pictures. Anyone regularly selling records on ebay without genuine decades
of experience and knowledge, it is far better to concentrate on the condition, that is the most important info for buyers of all.
All David Bowie RCA label albums were in a constant cycle of being re-issued, RCA's 'International' budget label contained all
the 1970's titles, even the orange colour RCA label itself was 'on borrowed time' and the first issue only "Low' had deluxe
quality, especially for the very special sound.
 
FIRST ISSUE,12" x 12" ALBUM LYRICS INSERT,WITH RED PRINTING ON A WHITE BACKGROUND. NO NEED FOR
PRECISE DETAILS OF WHICH MUSICIAN PLAYED ON INDIVIDUAL TRACKS. "Low" WAS RECORDED WITH SO
FEW MUSICIANS,THEY WERE MORE LIKE A TOURING BAND AND THIS WAS THE FIRST OF A TRIO OF EXPERIMENTAL
 ALBUMS.  ANOTHER ITEM TO CONFIRM A UK FIRST PRESSING FROM, THIS IS TEXTURED AND NOT SMOOTH, WITH
THE 'PL 12030' UK CATALOGUE NUMBER PRINTED IN RED AS WELL.
The insert is printed on both sides and for single covers like this, the thin paper had to be up against the record for every one
of those 39 years, so an avoidable record impression and a few gentle ripples.  Obviously very prone to severe creases,
  tears and stains etc. but this is unused and has never left the cover since the day it was factory inserted.  The white paper is
  mostly unaged, but there is some atmospheric ageing that naturally affected nearly all the ultra thin paper.  The unaged inner
sleeve confirms the cover was not exposed, just nearly 40 years of age causing.... some ageing!   The cover itself does not
have any form of ageing and could not possibly be more carefully and lovingly stored, I honestly believe a reaction with the
records inserts and posters is the most likely cause of 'ageing' when unplayed records in immaculate covers, so my grading
  here is allowing for the unused, unhandled insert sharing the cover with the record!
THE INSERT IS IN EXCELLENT++MINT CONDITION.

  Some first issue covers had a fan club application form, this did not and that should not be considered an 'insert' or universal
  item found in all original / first issue covers.  That was used in several Bowie albums at random and cannot be considered an
  insert, only the actual dedicated first edition "Low" insert that included gold print and the 'PL 12030' UK catalogue number.
 

  ORIGINAL 1977 RCA INNER SLEEVE, MADE FROM SOFT PAPER WITH A DIE-CUT CENTRE ON ONE SIDE, PLEASE MY
PICTURES FOR ONE SIDE'S RCA'S  LEGAL COPYRIGHT AND LONDON ADDRESS.
JUST A LIGHT RECORD IMPRESSION, UNUSED IN MINT- CONDITION.


  THE VERY FIRST MADE "Garrod Print Ltd." PRINTED COVER, THAT IS ENOUGH TO IDENTIFY THE FIRST ISSUE,
  BUT SEVERAL OTHER DETAILS BACK COVER ALSO CONTAINS ALL THAT IS NEEDED.  THE RCA 'PRICE CODES' WERE
  VERY SIMILAR TO TODAY'S BAR CODES, PRINTED NEAR THE TOP RIGHT CORNER IN THE SAME WHITE LETTERING
  OF ALL THE PRINTING IS:  "ZZ"

  AS MENTIONED, THERE IS AN OBLONG SHAPE TRACK LISTING STICKER ON THE BACK.
  This cover looks like it was just bought in early January, 1977, there is no wear to detail and the pure deep orange colour on the
back is completely unfaded and positively not suffering from that rubbed away large white ring , or as it is known, 'ring wear.
  That is almost mandatory for these first edition covers, this is an amazing condition cover
 
Out of interest, I finally managed to include a 'mystery number' almost camouflaged just after the 'PL 12030' UK catalogue
number at the bottom of the spine.  If you look at my compiled picture of both printed items on the spine, on the bottom picture
is this number nobody seems to have noticed;
'0788'
I have no idea why it was there but it was not intended to be seen, yet another unique indexing on such a complex first pressing.
 

  THE IMMACULATE SOFTLY TEXTURED, EASILY MARKED LABELS, DO NOT HAVE ANY SPINDLE ALIGNMENT TRACES.
  THE RECORD IS LITERALLY LIKE BRAND NEW, IN UNPLAYED, MINT CONDITION.
SIDE 1
  "Speed Of Life
"Breaking Glass" (David Bowie / Dennis Davis / George Murray)
"What In The World"
"Sound And Vision"
"Always Crashing In The Same Car"
"Be My Wife"
"A New Career In A New Town"

SIDE 2
"Warszawa" (David Bowie / Brian Eno)
"Art Decade"
"Weeping Wall"
"Subterraneans"


David Bowie - vocals, guitar, bass, xylophone , vibraphone, harmonica, percussion & keyboards
Brian Eno - vocals, guitar keyboards & synthesisers
Carlos Alomar - rhythm guitar
Dennis Davis - percussion
George Murray - bass
Ricky Gardiner - guitar & bass
Roy Young - piano & organ

Peter and Paul (Brian Eno pseudonym) - piano and ARP synthesiser on "Subterraneans"
Mary Visconti - backing vocals on "Sound And Vision"
Iggy Pop - backing vocals on "What In The World"
Eduard Meyer - cellos on "Art Decade"

All Songs Written By David Bowie Except Where Credited.
Recorded1976 At Chateau d'Hérouville, Herouville, France & Hansa Studio By The Wall, West Berlin, Germany.
Mixed At Hansa Tonstudios & Mastered At Sterling Sound.
Produced By David Bowie & Tony Visconti.
I have been typing for most of the afternoon and now the evening, I have written more above than most sellers write in years and
  even I have reached saturation point!  Not that "Low" needs any introduction from me, so I will wait for the next copy to discuss
  Bowie's amazing first of the Eno trio hat would take in "Heroes" at the end of 1977 and culminate with "Lodger". This third and
last collaboration with Brian Eno created three of Bowie's greatest albums, if anything, there was less instrumentation and more
  of Bowie's lyrics and songs involved.  Three minute songs made for great listening and "Sound & Vision" is the perfect example,
  I will only end up with a stream of superlatives if I proceed any further, will allow my pictures to conclude the description.
{Roy}
    R & M RECORDS.

My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade
  in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
  into becoming a professional record seller.  Nearly thirty years ago we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for
  vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide;

EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
  I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY
  FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE
OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.
 

  We take 100% responsibility after an item has been posted and offer our fullest support in the event of any problems.
"There Are No Problems, Only Solutions" (John Lennon)
MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100% HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS
FROM 'V.G.' ( VERY GOOD), TO THE ULTIMATE 'MINT' CONDITION.


ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.
 

WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT
RECORDS AND COVERS ETC.  WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD
SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES.
THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG & SECURE.
EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST
QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS
TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING
ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES
WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA.

UNDER PAYPAL & EBAY'S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE
SERVICE.


We have kept all our charges at the same level for years now, but due to the Post Office's new price increases, regretfully we
will have to increase the cost of LP's, however, singles will remain unchanged.  Ebay were aware of that happening and have
  increased their minimum postal cost for LP's to £7.00, that figure has been enforced by the UK Post Office and it will become
our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of £46.  A temporary reduction this week means we can
now post LP's for £5, but who knows how long before the Post Office return to £7?

For LP's valued above £46, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
in 13 years of ebay trading, there has not been one record damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future.

IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER £46 WILL BE
SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.
  FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA 'INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.'

POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's
UK: UP TO VALUE OF £46, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY  £5.00
UK: OVER VALUE OF £46, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £9.00


EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR  £15.00


USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00


POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7"
UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY £3.00
UK: OVER THE VALUE OF £46 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £6.00
EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £10.00
USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £12.00


PAYMENT DETAILS.

WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS,
AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE.

OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE.


FOR UK BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS & BANK WIRES.


FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY.
OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS.

WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS
CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY.
AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT
DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.


  Pay me with PayPal.

I don't charge my buyers extra!