David Bowie Hunky Dory laminated UK original 1st press lp Near Mint
£
466
$
617
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Description
Rare first pressing of this classic Bowie lp in stunning near mint condition.
When RCA first issued Hunky Dory in 1971 it came in a laminated outer cover that had no mention of MAINMAN or Gem (though Gem was mentioned on the label and lyric sheet). At first Hunky Dory didn't sell at all well: it wasn't until Ziggy Stardust that people started buying the lp in any quantities. By then Hunky Dory had been deleted and was re-released in the much more common unlaminated sleeve with the words "A Gem Production" on the sleeve and not just the label and inner. It is estimated that the original Hunk Dory sold even fewer copies than the legendary Dress Cover version of Man Who Sold the World, making this one of the ultimate Bowie rarities.
Catalogue Number: SF 8244
Matrices:
Side 1: APRS 5947 3T Bobil and A3R
Side 2: APRS 5948 3T Rasputin and A1AN
The record is in near mint condition. There are no signs of the lp having been played. There is no wear to the spindle hole or any spindle marks. The vinyl is flat and very shiny. There are no appreciable marks of any kind. I have played the lp once only to grade it and the sound is outstanding throughout. The lp looks and sounds as it did when it was bought.
The labels are conservatively graded as excellent. They are completely free from any wear or user damage but there is a patch where there is less shine on one side which was obviously there from new and not in the least bit intrusive. The labels are the correct shiny yellow RCA with no mention of MAINMAN on either side - indicating a correct first pressing.
The cover is in excellent condition. There is some very slight wear to one corner and a small difficult to see crease at another. There are a couple of very light creases on the spine and one mark on the laminate that can only be seen if held to the light. Apart from these barely significant issues the cover is stunning. The laminated front is shiny and reflective. There are no tears, stickers or writing. The opening is crisp and free from feathering and the edges are clean and tidy. The cover corrctly has no listing for either MAINMAN or Gem unlike the later pressings. Please note: the curved look of the cover and inner are due to the camera and not there on the real item.
The inner is in excellent condition with just the slightest of wear to the corners. It correctly lists "A Gem Production" and does not have the "MAINMAN" logo indicating a correct 1st press.
I am not a dealer but am finally getting rid of my vinyl collection, almost all of it first pressings including Stones, Beatles, Animals, Dylan, Byrds, Floyd, Zep, loads of krautrock and numerous UK Motown lps (mostly non-compilations). Keep a look out. I'll be listing them over the coming months as time permits.
Ultra low starting price, no reserve and free UK postage.
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