Item Description
DAVID BOWIE THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD.
1971 UK ORIGINAL ON MERCURY RECORDS FACTORY SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE ONLY COPY I HAVE EVER SEEN.
I started collecting records seriously in 1978.
In all that time and right up until this day not only have I never seen another one of these I have never even heard of another.
This could well be totally unique.
Due to the high value of this record there are 2 fakes in existence.
It was faked in 1983 in Italy but that fake is pretty poor quality.
It was also faked in 1978 in Japan and that is a much better effort.
Here are some differences between the original and the forgery.
1 The Counterfeit cover has a sheeny texture to it, the original has a matt texture which is more defined, the colours are much paler like the EMI/Rycodisc release who probably used the counterfeit for their artwork.
2 On the forgery Bowie s foot goes right to the edge of the sleeve, on the original there is a centimetre or more sleeve to the right of Bowie s foot - this is the usual method in telling them apart.
3 The counterfeit s back cover is very pale again the original is a more defined grey.
4 The spine has Mercury, title, and catalogue number running from right to left on the counterfeit whereas the original have them running from left to right, this is if your holding the cover face up 5 The inner of the sleeve is white on the counterfeit and grey on the original and I m talking about the ACTUAL sleeve and not the paper inner sleeve 6 The label on the counterfeit is a lighter shade of black than the original, also the typeset on the counterfeit is thinner and taller, it also has an R circled near the date 1971 rather than a proper P other than that its a very good effort.
7 The matrix on the runout groove is larger on the counterfeit , not so well stamped and omits 420 from the numbers, additionally the matrix faces the label rather than pointing away from it as on the original.
There are a few other differences but I think that s got most of it covered.
So rest assured this is a genuine bona fide original.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to sell 48 of these dress covers and this is one of the best ones I have seen.
To me this is without a doubt the best album sleeve ever put out by any artist.
I love it, everything about it.
I love its textured feel and the subject matter...
A man, wearing a dress, on the front of a very hard rock LP.
And what are those cards about? It is controversial and weird.
This was 1971.
Then on the back Bowie in the guise of Lauren Bacall.
This sleeve is as atmospheric as an oil painting....
CONDITION.
The sleeve I would grade as excellent.
Look to the typeset, note it still retains its bright colouring as does Bowie s dress and the cards.
All original dress cover sleeve s are very flimsy by their nature simply because they are made of very thin stock card, so they are very prone to wring ware and damage.This sleeve has no wring ware at all, for this particular sleeve that is remarkable.
There is some edge ware to the bottom and the left of the sleeve but overall very, very bright and clean and very presentable.
The back of the sleeve is outstanding.
Double click the pictures and note the spine has not been crushed and all the writing can still be read clearly, this sleeve is notorious for having damaged spinal areas, again it is a very delicate sleeve.
THE VINYL CONDITION.
EXCELLENT .
Both the labels are in superb condition with only the slightest amount of spindle marks indicating a limited amount of play.
Side one bares the FACTORY SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE sticker indicating this to be one of the very first pressed to check quality control .
After this has been checked and everything was ok, the go ahead would be given for the initial run of first pressings to go ahead.
As you can see on both sides the label bares the spelling mistake Tonny for producer Tony Visconti s name, this was rectified on later pressings.
So this is one of the very first ever pressed.
The vinyl has a beautiful high lustre sheen that is truly outstanding.
It does have a few wispy hairlines from removing it from its paper cover over the years but they are not visible to the naked eye, and you can only see them under the brightest light.
They have no baring on the way this great item plays.
And it plays superbly, ALL THE WAY.
It sounds loud warm and rich with no interference even in the quiet parts.
FACTORY SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE Dress cover, one of the first they ever pressed in magnificent condition.
And no reserve This is too good a Bowie rarity to let it slip through your hands.
Win it.
And enhance the collection Bowie collectors both old and new, keep an eye on my auctions over the next few weeks.
I will be selling some of the rarest David Bowie LPs ever pressed.
Postage and packing is inland 6.50 for First class recorded .
Germany is 12.10 first class tracked and insured.
I no longer ship to the Russian Fed Ukraine or Italy.
