The Smiths TCM Green Label 1983 Test Press 7" Morrissey
£
259
$
343
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Description
The experience of buying records on Ebay is ruined if, when they arrive, you discover that they are either not in the condition stated or have been damaged in the post! For this reason I describe all my items in detail, and only post using strong sturdy packaging. They are also from a non-smoking and pet-free home.
I accept returns and offer a full refund if you are not happy with your purchase.
The Smiths - 'This Charming Man' Green Label 1-Sided Test Press 7" - 1983
Catalogue No. RT 136 - Rough Trade
In this auction I am selling one of the rarest and most desirable of the Smiths pressings that I own. This is a green label 7" test pressing for 'This Charming Man' which was used by Scott Piering as a promotional pre-requisite to the release of the single in 1983. It is a terrific item and clearly very rare, having been owned by myself for approximately three years, and I have no doubt as to the genuine nature of the record. The record has a 'serrated' ring around the inner label area and a Scott Piering promotional sticker on the B-side label of the record. While the B-side of the record does possess visible grooves, these appear more spaced-out than typical and, in fact, the B-side carries only a test tone making this 7" test press effectively one-sided. The run-out region on the B-side carries the inscription "FB 7 X 1" and then "LPFB" (crossed out) beneath it. The matrix numbers on the A-side, which plays 'This Charming Man' are "RT 136 A-3U-1-1- X1". The record was originally also sent out with a black and white reproduction of the Rough Trade record label stuck over the A-side, but this was carefully removed by the previous owner in preference for revealing the striking lime green label beneath. The label is present and has a few light creases from its removal but is intact. The green A-side label also has some very faint glue marks which originally held the paper label, but these are impossible to see unless the record is held to the light. This record is one of the very first Smiths test pressings in existence, being preceded only by the 'Reel Around The Fountain' version of this test press and the original 1983 'Hand In Glove' test presses (which, according to Record Collector in 2005, have never surfaced - only the 1984 later test presses - you may know differently of course!). I, myself, paid well above market value for this test press, seeing it as a step towards owing the similar-in-appearance 'Reel Around The Fountain' test press which I later managed to get hold of. I have only been able to find one reference to one of these test presses being sold previously, other than this one I bought, and those details of the other copy can be found here. The record comes complete in its picture sleeve, which also has a Scott Piering promotional sticker on the reverse. The winner of this auction will be buying a terrific collectable and a rare piece of Smiths vinyl history, and I will be willing to offer a full refund upon return of the record if the buyer is not completely satisfied.The vinyl and labels are graded at least strong excellent, since there are only the lightest of 'hairline' superficial surface marks visible if the record is held to the light, and the very faint glue marks on the green A-side label; again, only visible when held to the light. The picture sleeve is also in at least strong excellent condition, with no creases, writing or any real signs of wear; all corners and edges are sharp. The paper A-side label provided has, as mentioned above, some crinkles from being removed from the record. The entire item has been incredibly well looked-after and immaculately preserved. Please see the accompanying photos for more detail; note that the 'Ebay ID' lettering is just on the pictures and not on the item itself.
All my auctions start at 1P and have NO RESERVE. They are all 100% genuine, original versions. Some are in mint/new condition and some are used; all will go to the highest bidder. I offer a money-back guarantee if anything is described incorrectly. Postage and Packing is 1.60 in the UK for untracked and uninsured standard postage, this is subsidised by myself and the actual costs to me will usually be higher. Please do consider paying the extra 70p for tracked postage since there is nothing that can be done to find out what happened if the parcel is lost when standard postage is chosen. Shipping costs are greater for overseas buyers, but still subsidised and very good value; please check prices by using the options above or feel free to ask. Extra items are sent at no extra postage charge to the buyer (see below). I always take great care to package items well with strong mailing materials.See my other auctions for related rare items here. If multiple auctions are won at the same time (within a week), I will charge only the postage cost for the heaviest item and pay the remaining postage myself. This is the case wherever you live.
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