DAVID BOWIE Hunky Dory - LAMINATED COVER 3T/3T Bobil/Rasputin EX LP.

	£		808
	$		964

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers will now be blocked at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: DAVID BOWIE

Album Title: Hunky Dory.

Producer(s): Ken Scott and David Bowie.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Changes; Oh! You Pretty Things; Eight Line Poem; Life on Mars?; Kooks; Quicksand.

Side 2: Fill Your Heart; Andy Warhol; Song for Bob Dylan; Queen Bitch; The Bewlay Brothers.

Label/Format: RCA Victor – original high gloss with a super-smooth finish. Later examples have a matt surface.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only very light, fine and faint spindle traces – hardly any at all – and no wear around the hole area. These retain that immaculate shiny surface that almost cling to the fingertip when felt.

Cat Number: SF 8244.

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: 142 grams. This considerably above average, later copies were pressed much thinner – and in most cases, infinitely inferior.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Overview: Very Rare: make no mistake about this. When first issued in December 1971, few record buyers were hardly even aware of this man’s previous works. This was his fourth album, by then the Deram debut was deleted, and the self-titled second (later to become ‘Space Oddity’) and ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ were gathering dust on shelves, both later repressed and repackaged. All three albums issued on different labels, Bowie was actually without a recording contract when work on this album began with all his previous output selling in tiny numbers to a small cult following, all are rare and massively collectable as originals. He was signed by RCA records where he stayed for many years, all bar the first album reissued and revamped when the success of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ caused a buying frenzy of his earlier works.

But prior to Ziggy, this classic pre-glam masterpiece only sold in only small numbers, even with excellent reviews. Hence the earliest issues are rarely seen or offered. Although this album was not repackaged as per his second and third album, only the very earliest copies were laminated. Now to be clear on this, because the price guides fail to mention a key factor – first-printed covers had no reference to ‘A GEM PRODUCTION’, which was a clear error as both the record labels and lyric insert DID include it and these were ALL laminated on the front. But very quickly, this production credit was added, and a tiny few of these WERE ALSO laminated, so this omission from guides is misleading. These are rarely seen or offered, most versions of the same cover had no lamination and sold as totally matt versions. I would imagine, as interest in Bowie’s back catalogue increased with the massive success of ‘Ziggy Stardust’, the lamination process was dropped entirely probably due to cost and/or, to get units into shops faster. I have seen very few ‘Hunky Dory’ early laminated covers at all, but those I have seen have all omitted the GEM logo on the back (as seen in my close-up picture. All laminated versions of this cover are very rare, but most sold were the first-made by the small following he had at this time. Laminated GEM PRODUCTION versions almost came and went within a very short period of time, probably just a few weeks – the album itself was not even available very long laminated – Ziggy following within seven months that caused the landslide of interest in the summer of 1972.

The difference laminate makes to the stunning artwork is immense. It has a distinct Andy Warhol pop-art type appearance, and the inclusion of a track on the album is no coincidence I feel. The colour and richness of the classic graphic pales almost into insignificance compared to a standard matt version. This copy, purchased from new by one owner, has the most stunning shine and freshness that is difficult to capture in photograph. It becomes a real work-of-art in it’s own right, and I actually consider this version of equal rarity to the Philips self-titled album and the ‘Dress’ cover ‘Man Who Sold the World in Mercury.

But this album’s rarity does not just lie within the cover, the record itself was much heavier pressed and offers considerably, and cleaner sound quality. This one pressed with no thought of mass-production that compromised later ones. In fact I have always found ‘Hunky Dory’ the most difficult Bowie album to find that plays well on standard later copies. Indeed I have three here now that all fail to play well with inherent crackle and pressing noises or distortion. I will NOT offer them, I would not even give them away. RCA post-Decca pressings were at best variable and inconsistent, this copy plays superbly for most-all with hardly anything to fault, that is some achievement to hear on vinyl – and I have heard many ‘standard’ post 1972 pressings. Genuine first pressings carried - 3T / -3T matrixes as this copy does, also with run-out (dead wax areas) inscriptions ‘Bobil’ and ‘Rasputin’, again very much present on this copy. Very fine and small, they are not easily photographed, but rest assure they ARE here on this copy, hopefully ‘Rasputin’ can be seen on the label picture (use the Ebay magnifier). There must be NO mention of Mainmain, and there are none on any element of this set. This genuine first issue is heavier pressed than most subsequent pressings and with pure vinyl offering the best possible sound quality. The record does have some surface marks, but these are practically all ignored and this record gave an immense performance. I am still sure many do not know the rarity or significance of these very early copies of this Bowie masterwork, they rarely surface for sale, most who own them will rarely part with them. These laminated covers came and went within such a short period of time and those tiny few laminated that include the correct/corrected GEM PRODUCTION text are for me the rarest of all.

Original Year of Release: December 1971. Logically, this one the early to mid-part of 1972.

Matrix Nos: APRS 5947 3T / APRS 5948 3T [machine punched, NOT scripted]

Mothers / Stampers: A1 / A10

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘Bobil’ / ‘Rasputin’

Musicians: David Bowie – vocals, guitar, alto and tenor saxophone, piano; Mick Ronson – guitar, vocals, mellotron; Rick Wakeman – piano; Trevor Bolder – bass guitar, trumpet; Mick Woodmansey – drums.

Brief Info: This Bowie album, his fourth, is regarded by many as his greatest work ever. Most these days will know the songs well enough, but when issued, few even were even aware of Bowie. But changes were to happen fast – within six months, he was to become a household name and superstar with his seminal glam-rock masterpieces ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and later ‘Aladdin Sane’. This very ‘arty’ album paved the way for that legendary release, and only when ‘Ziggy’ went global, did sales for this one then take-off as well. But by then, few laminated covers were to be seen (if indeed any). Regular fully matt versions were then the order-of-the-day – a few of those probably still had ‘first-issue’ records inside for a brief time, but the huge rarity of this album is the unique first and second version front laminated covers – this second for me being the rarest of the two as discussed further up in the ‘rarity’ paragraphs. One a super-condition laminated version is seen, it is not easily forgotten, and this is REALLY impressive, the shine and freshness is STUNNING. An early-made version is beyond special: superior cover, superior sound and superior scarceness is not putting too finer a point on things. These are no run-of-the-mill copies, few own them and fewer still ever make the open market. When respected guide books fail to even list cover variants, you can be sure they are very rare, but the proof is here. This is first and only GEM laminate I have ever seen or had – although I knew they existed – until now, all have eluded me. So not only do you get the full glory or a much heavier, first-pressed record that offers the best possible sound, the cover is a piece of rare art as well. Just hold this gives pleasure, not quite perfect, but still a real beauty – the laminate shine has to be seen for real to be fully appreciated. A rare opportunity indeed.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and VERY arguably, better, this hardly does this hugely impressive cover full justice. A single format WITH the front laminated. This covers all the closed edges and ends on the back via the spine edge. The front right opening edge retains the narrow unlaminated strip and the laminate ends is very apparent here and on the back – the back with the very slight contracting leaving a mild darkened movement line. The back is matt and smooth finished and includes the ‘A GEM PRODUCTION’ text on the top right, this second printing cover RARELY seen laminated, but IS a known variant (but price guides seem yet to discover). Printed and made in England by Robert Stace (NO Mainman references of course). Includes the GEM PRODUCTION (with Titanic logo and credit) lyric insert and plain white inner sleeve, all seen in pictures.

Lamination & Front: This is breathtakingly shiny and fresh with barely any hint of dulling, even when viewed directly under light. Any of the very few lifts are tiny and light (and I DO mean tiny) and just one fine half moon crease away from the edges. Most of any fine edge laminate creases are light and largely confined to the spine. No press marks and any rim impression very light, this mostly seen with angled viewing. The famous artwork takes on a whole new complexion when seen under such fresh and super-clear laminate, the black border ink becomes far more intense and the colours of the portrait have that Warhol pop-art style. The laminate end on the right edge is clean and the fine exposed strip unworn or damaged. This early cover card is very thin, hence all manner of laminate issues are possible, and even more likely. So the avoidance of any major issues is a huge plus with nigh-on full adhesion for maximum visual pleasure. No mottling or fine bubbles, thus the graphic looks immense. This cover is SO-special when laminated, few available ones will better this significantly I feel certain.

Cover Back: The back must never be dismissed either, this is NOT laminated, none ever were as far as I am aware, this has hardly any wear either. Clean, fresh and attractive with barely any marks or discolouration. The laminate end is visible with the common faintly darkened shinkage line as most of this type will have. The odd light tip crease and faint rim impression, but little else. I remind, and as seen on my picture close-up, this one includes the correct GEM PRODUCTION credit and is rarely seen in this format with potentially ever fewer made than the first ones.

Top Edge: Clean and very straight, this cover has barely any hint of bowing which is far from guaranteed on any laminated covers. The only small blemish is a central rub that shows little, probably a mild movement pressure mark but NO split and NO repair. It just appears the laminate, for about an inch, is gone.

Bottom Edge: The laminated fold is practically perfect and straight. Just a little mild thickening to the actual end panel card which for a storage edge is near impossible to avoid totally.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with very little wear. Any thickening or burring minimal and light as seen viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced, as stated already, the fine unlaminated black strip very much present and barely worn at all.

Spine and Text: The spine has a couple or three ultra fine surface hairline creases. But overall, still solid, straight with minimal traces of compression. The laminate remains smooth and even here retains excellent shine with no peeling. All text is perfect and unworn and very well centred for maximum visual pleasure.

Corners: Very small tip creases and odd tiny laminate lift, again hard to avoid totally, but hardly any rubbing with mostly very fine shape retained.

Cover Summary: This is one of the rarest covers I have ever offered on Ebay – for me, way rarer than even Led Zeppelin I turquoise originals that seem to show up quite regularly in comparison. This a very strong all-round example of this second version, very rare laminated variant. Few made, rarely seen, and few will be much better. I have to state again, the different this makes to the famous artwork really has to be seen, here with an almost mirror-like gloss and sheen. This beautiful item should please many, if not most collectors. Not just for Bowie specialists, this will thrill any fan or collector.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a plain solid white unlined inner, this has hardly aged at all and has avoided creasing or edge splits. It has the more distinctive shaped corners and is patented with ‘MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN’ text. Numbers are: ‘321’ and ‘1085’ (should they mean anything to anyone?)

The Lyric Insert: EXCELLENT(+): a matt thick paper lyric insert with NO mainman credits. This has the ‘A Gem Production’ text and Trident logo and credit. Printed both sides and almost as clean and fresh as when made. The only tiny blemish, a faint corner semi-crease and nothing else.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: arguably better, but mostly fine surface marks are seen under bright angled light. There are no penetrating stylus and this one being much heavier pressed than later post-Ziggy copies. A very fine visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly made. After Ziggy swept the globe, this album was far more mass-produced and sound quality suffered (often badly). I can honestly state, I have hardly ever heard a copy of this album that plays perfectly, even ones that looks practically as made. So whatever Hunky Dory I have, it is always with trepidation I make my play-grade. I feel sure this has been played lightly, most of the surface blemishes are whispy and faint with just a small few more easily seen in normal room light conditions. These however are still only fine and light as well. Like other albums of this period, many early examples were bought by younger music fans of the time and far fewer by older collectors. Hence many originals are rendered unlistenable or ruined by less than worthy record players. This still a splendid copy and crucially thicker vinyl with superior sound values and quality. Visually a super record that should please many collectors.

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 minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Always a tense time when play-grading this album. This significantly rarer record, that meets all the criteria for a genuine first pressing (all details further up), plays even above it’s high visual grading with very little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Beautifully produced, but so often let down by indifferent pressing quality – I have heard some real shockers in the past – all slightly later pressings suffice to say. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed and this is an exceptional clean pressing (in comparison to most-all others I have heard). A little crackle trace on ‘Life on Mars’ here and there, this being played on very revealing and clinical equipment (all listed further down), hardly anything else in that respect and few copies will match or outperform this one significantly I feel sure. The odd gentle tick also, but how many (now popular) albums this great age will not have? I am certain this record has been played very sparingly and has been generally well stored. Very little spoilt the experience when play-grading this wonderful album – still up there with the very best for me. Complex sounds, some quiet passages, but this album gave of it’s very best for most all and is quite possibly the cleanest and best-sound example I have yet heard. The stereo imagery and clarity is second-to-none, and I swear this has more punch and sonic delivery of the vocals and instruments, the fantastic songs gave me that rare tingle factor that only the very best recordings ever can. A wonderful experience and devoid of those loud irritating pressing rasps many Bowie albums seem to have. It will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended (unless perfection is mandatory). If clinical silence is demanded, the digital formats offer exactly that, but will never give that warmth and finese the early analogue copies do. Like the cover, the difference between a first pressing and later ones is immense – the sound purists and audiophile collectors will know exactly what I mean. Not quite perfect, but this copy – for most – has that genuine ‘X-Factor’ in audio delivery and fine detail quality that makes quality systems really ‘sing’.

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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – 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 it’s 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. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. 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 Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium 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, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners 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 minuscule in over 14 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. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. 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 TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, 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 as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. 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] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 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 £2 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’.