The Man Who Sold The World - 1972 UK RCA label 2nd Issue LP - Inner Sleeve, Poster & 2E/1E Matrix

Scarce 1972 UK RCA label 9-track LP - the 2nd Issue of Bowies 3rd album - originally issued in the UK in 1971 on the Philips label with Michael Fish' 'Drag' cover photography.

Vinyl has the generic orange company labels with left label vertical, large and fat fonted, outline RCA text - solid, horizontal and mid-size fonted right label 'Victor' text.

Labels have 'Mainman/Chrysalis' credits instead of 'Titanic/Chrysalis' credits stressing that this is the 2nd RCA Victor label version issued late 1972 early 1973. Bowie manager Tony Defries established the MainMan management company in September 1972.

Vinyl has machine stamped (ms) and hand etched (he) matrix information:
Side 1: BPRS 4512-2E A2B 'W' (he)
Side 2: BPRS 4513 1E (ms) A7M BI (he)
which very well solidifies that this is an early pressing, albeit not the very first pressing.

Vinyl is housed in an illustrated lyric inner sleeve - which still has the 'Titanic' publishing credits in lower right corner on reverse.

Vinyl is ultimately housed in a Robert Stace manufactured picture cover without 'MainMan' logo on top right reverse cover.

Condition: VG+(+) (Vinyls and Labels)/VG++ (Inner Sleeve)/VG++ (Poster)/VG+(+) (Cover):

Vinyl: Close To Near Mint/Excellent, VG+(+):
Vinyl is bright and shiny - a very few, fine and light hairlines on one side... otherwise just a touch of super fine, thin and ultralight sleeve wear. Vinyl itself is graded close to near mint/excellent, VG+(+).

Labels have only very light signs of play or handling - a touch of diffuse and hardly visible spindlewear - graded plain near mint.

Inner sleeve has a little wrinkling from marginal bends - completely intact seams and nice corners - no writing, tears, rips... nice and graded close to near mint/excellent.

Poster has only faint signs of handling - graded near mint.
Cover has in general hardly any surface wear - a touch of wrinkling from edges - a couple of parallel and light ones along opening.
Seams are straight and intact - a little wear to lower seam, perfect top seam, easily readable and mint spine, opening edges with hardly any rubbing.
Lower spine corner has a combination of denting and rubbing - lower opening corner just a little rubbing. Top corners hardly any - overall a simply very nice and decent cover - graded close to near mint/excellent.

Playgrading: Near perfect, VG++:
Vinyl tracks straight and plays wonderfully with only the very slightest noise inbetween tracks or in quiet passages - that is at higher volume. Vinyl has the amazing dynamics which you find on original copies of early Bowie albums - fine and distinct instrument differentiation, great volume and fine perspective.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1 The Width Of A Circle 8:07
2 All The Madmen 5:38
3 Black Country Rock 3:33
4 After All 3:52

Side 2:
1 Running Gun Blues 3:12
2 Saviour Machine 4:27
3 She Shook Me Cold 4:13
4 The Man Who Sold The World 3:58
5 The Supermen 3:39

All tracks written and composed by David Bowie

Recorded and remixed at Trident Studios, London, UK
Recorded at Advision Studios, London, UK
Manufactured by RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK

Credits:
David Bowie - vocals, guitar, production
Mick Ronson - guitar
Tony Visconti - bass, piano, guitar
Mick Woodmansey - drums
Ralph mace - moog synthesizer

Technical credits:
Tony Visconti - production
Ken Scott - engineer

Artwork:
Keef - Design, Photography