David Bowie : The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars 1E/2E

This FINAL UPGRADE very early pressing plays to a similar standard of an unplayed high quality vinyl!  The audio is fantastic!  With only a little static at the start of S1 the remainder plays with immaculate clarity and depth - it cannot be faulted.

There is of course a 1E/1E press so I call this a second pressing but it still has the 'Titanic' Music' credits on the labels and no 'Mainman' logo on the back cover.

The cover is in excellent condition with minor shelf wear and the lyric sleeve is very clean but with a couple of small side splits.

SF 8287 (LSP 4702) // BGPS - 1E / BGPS - 2E // B2AB & A2S etched on the run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 intro Ex) 

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 intro Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is VG

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

This high quality vinyl has a beautiful glossy sheen and not one single scratch or mark.  S1 has only a handful of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines but they really are so difficult to spot they are that faint!  S2 is also in amazing condition with only one obvious faint hairline.  Incredibly it has no spindle wear at all and as detailed below the clarity is equal to that of a vinyl hardly played.  The run out grooves are also in perfect condition.  A stunning example.

Play grading  

The classic 'Five Years' plays very clearly from the outset and with only a light static sound once per revolution of the record.  It is minor and non-intrusive in my opinion and by the time of the fifth line it has largely disappeared.  I must stress there are no clicks, pops or crackle and it is still an impressive start.  From then on the clarity is nigh on perfect with only a couple of mefa light static sounds.  As it builds the audio is faultless and the percussive end section and fade out could not play any better.  The intro I would grade as Ex with the remainder as Mint- it is that good.

There is complete silence in the dead wax and the intro on 'Soul Love' is spectacular!  Not even a dust tick!  I am pleased to day it continues in exactly the same manner with no 'background' of any kind.  This is audio of the highest quality and again the fade out is 'as new'.  It is obvious this record has been hardly played judging by the clarity so far.  This is Mint- although in my opinion the minus is not required here!

'Moonage Daydream' is of the same immaculate quality and already it is difficult not to repeat myself!  The clarity and depth of the recording is second to none and quite simply there is no interference, just one click at the end of the fade out if that counts!

The acoustic intro on 'Starman' is 'shop fresh' i.e. as good as it was when first produced in '72.  Every note on this classic plays with impeccable precision and again there is no 'background'.  The 'crystal clear' fade out again provides a superb example of the clarity on offer here as there is not so much as a dust tick.  Pure Mint audio throughout.

'It Ain't Easy' ends the side with, you guessed it, sublime quality from the first groove to the last.  There are a number of quiet sections of course and yet they all play to the same 'high end' standard.  There is also no distortion which is rare for any final track.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The piano intro on 'Lady Stardust' is so 'clean' with only a couple of light ticks and is as close to perfect as it could be.  It's rare for the opening few grooves to play as well as this especially on a 47 year old record!  There is no intrusive static or crackle at all.  As Bowie's vocal comes in the audio is 'as new' and the remainder is of the same immaculate quality.  Each note is so precise and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound at all.  The clarity is mesmeric and the definition of the audio is 'as new'.  I only say 'as new' when I mean it and I like to think I'm a good judge of vinyl by now!

'Star' and 'Hang On To Yourself' both play with the same dynamic quality and a wonderful depth of sound again.  There is quite simply no interference and I have no hesitation in grading them as Mint the clarity and sonic quality could not be improved upon.

The iconic 'Ziggy Stardust' plays to the same breathtaking standard with not a hint of interference.  I cannot quite believe what I am hearing on this album!

Talking of which - you just have to hear the power and depth on 'Suffragette City' - I cannot remember when I last heard such a strong 'clean' version on such an early pressing and there is no inner groove distortion either.

'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' has an acoustic intro that defies its age and is 'as new' with not even a dust tick!  As it progresses there is no let up in quality and this is another FINAL UPGRADE track plays with sublime quality from beginning to end.  I am no doubt being too harsh but there is perhaps just a little inner groove distortion on the crescendo end section.  So so minor and totally non-intrusive and it provides a stunning end to this classic album.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album is of a quality so seldom heard today.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is so impressive and the vast majority plays 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  There is complete silence in the dead wax between tracks giving you an idea of the superlative clarity on offer here.  The only interference is a little static on the opening track and one click at the end of a fade out.  That's it!  With no spindle wear this vinyl has hardly been played and is visually stunning also.

The Cover

The cover (with no 'Mainman' credit) is in wonderful condition and the edges have barely any rubbing.  The spine also remains in great shape with no real wear and is 100% legible.  All four corners have very little rubbing and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean with only a couple of small creases and minor ringwear and the back cover has even less ringwear.  This is a fine example of this cover and would be difficult to find better.

The Lyric Inner

The original lyric inner is very clean with only a little 'print' marking but it does have two side splits and some creasing.

The Labels

The orange RCA labels are in fantastic condition with no marking or writing and incredibly no spindle wear.  Stunning!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SF 8287 (LSP 4702) // BGPS - 1E / BGPS - 2E // B2AB & A2S etched on the run out grooves

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!