DAVID BOWIE - THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS

An increasingly rare and highly sought after 1972 UK 1st pressing of this coveted rock gem on the orange RCA Victor label, STEREO SF 8287 (LSP 4702)

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  BGBS 0864 - 1E with hand etched "BIA B" at 11 o'clock

Side 2  BGBS 0864 - 1E with hand etched "BIA B" at 11 o'clock 

Note the credentials for this being a first UK pressing : 

1. Titanic Music credit on side 1 and side 2 labels

2. No Mainman publishing credit on reverse of outer sleeve (at top right hand corner)

3. The dead wax matrix numbers "...-1E, ...-2E" are machine stamped and not etched

The appearance of the flat, heavy vinyl is truly excellent plus (EX+). In normal daylight the condition of both sides of the vinyl comes across as flawless - jet black and retaining it's original beautifully lacquered sheen. under a bright light it is just possible to make out a few very light wispy hairlines and some even fainter paper scuffs, all of which are purely superficial and surface only. The exception to this is a single, tiny "nick" (almost impossible to spot) right at the very end of the first track on side 2, which results in 6 very mild clicks, one at the very end of this track and the other 5 during the interlude. I have to say that this "nick" is so small that I was only able to identify it's existence and location by playing the record, and not by an initial visual inspection. So, taking into account this tiny blemish I would grade the condition of the vinyl as a solid excellent.

The labels are pristine. No obvious blemishes at all, not even the usual few very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre holes. Note the "Titanic Music" publishing credits and the smoothness of the orange & black labels themselves, each indicative of a first pressing. Brilliant!

The iconic non-laminated (front and back) iconic Robert Stace outer sleeve is excellent (EX). This first press cover is renowned for it's fragility and susceptibility to creasing and wear and tear, and it is now becoming very difficult to find copies in very good (let alone excellent) condition. However, for this copy all edges are firm with just a little, intermittent scuffing on the bottom edge (more in evidence at either end of the edge), and this includes the spine which is near perfect and where all text remains perfectly intact and legible. Each corner remains a nicely defined right angle with barely any rubbing, and the opening edges also remain rigid with no fraying whatsoever. The front side has just a little mild ring wear (top and bottom) which is not intrusive and does not detract from the still vibrant colouring and superb photography/artwork of this iconic cover. Similarly for the reverse side where there are no significant blemishes - just x7 1cm or less very light (most are barely visible in normal daylight) horizontal surface creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine, and there are a few very minor marks (a couple of small and very minor abrasions, for example) on each side which are only apparent when the cover is held at the right angle and in the right light. All colouring, all writing, all art work, and all photography remains in undoubted excellent condition. Note the absence of any reference to "MAINMAN" on either the front or reverse side, again indicative of a first pressing.

Finally, the quality of the audio is brilliant. The appearance and condition of this record strongly suggest that it has been sparingly played. Tremendous tone and clarity throughout with no distortion whatsoever, even at higher volume and higher frequencies. Apart from the aforementioned x6 mild clicks at the end of the first track on side 2 (due to an annoying tiny vinyl "nick") there are no further clicks, no skips, no unexpected noises, and no background crackle/interference. Every single track on this wonderful album still makes for a great listen. You just can't beat vinyl!!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. FIVE YEARS

2. SOUL LOVE

3. MOONAGE DAYDREAM

4. STARMAN

5. IT AIN'T EASY

Side 2 :

1. LADY STARDUST

2. STAR

3. HANG ON TO YOURSELF

4. ZIGGY STARDUST

5. SUFFRAGETTE CITY

6. ROCK 'n' ROLL SUICIDE

Comes with original lyric inner sleeve with no tears and just a small 7mm split in the middle of the bottom edge; barely any creasing and overall a definite excellent (the "Titanic Music" publishing credit text is also present on this inner sleeve - again, unique to first pressings). Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly excellent copy of this sought after 1972 UK 1st pressing rock masterpiece - worthy of gracing any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by acquiring records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of packing and postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class & signed for  : £4.00, 

for continental Europe, international tracked & signed for : £10.00

and for Rest of the World, international tracked & signed for £14.00

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records 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, discolouration, 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 are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler