David Bowie Hunky Dory RCA Acetate
  $   8,900

 


$ 8900 Sold For
Jun 19, 2018 Sold Date
Jun 12, 2018 Start Date
$   8000 Start price
3   Number Of Bids
  USA Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
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Description

This is the first time that such a rare item has ever been up for sale. It was found in a collection of records owned by a former RCA A+R executive who helped sign Bowie in 1971. This copy is dated 9/9/71 and titled ‘Changes’ before the name ‘Hunky Dory’ was decided upon. As written on the Acetate this was given to Dennis Katz, head of RCA records A+R department. Katz signed Bowie on this very date and therefore it is certain that Bowie himself was present when the masters were created into Acetates.


Acetates are known as master or reference discs and are not Promo Copies, Test Pressings or Record Company giveaways. They were expensive to manufacture and most of the time only 5 were made per record label. An uncut Acetate is sent to a mastering lab where it is played through an electronic lathe system which cuts microscopic wiggles analogues into the sound waves that they represent into the Acetate coating. It is because of this and the higher quality of the cellulose the sound is superior to a record.


After this process, the Acetates were disregarded and it is very rare for any to survive.


Notes- this is a 47 year old Acetate and despite not being played for at least 40 years- Both sides have 5-8 marks. Coating is glossy with a slight discoloration on the outside of the record.

The track Fill Your Heart- briefly skips three times at the start.

Bewley Brothers is the alternative mix heard on the 1990 Rykodisc Version.

The Acetate is housed in an original Audiodisc Brown Sleeve.

This item is a must for all Bowie collectors and record enthusiasts. It is most unlikely that another one will ever come up for sale and this is a real piece of history involving one of the most iconic men in Rock n Roll as this is the album that shaped his career and became the launchpad for an incredible icon.


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