18th Feb, 2025 10:00
The Billy Albert Collection Of Smiths Vinyl and Memorabilia
THE SMITHS - REEL AROUND THE FOUNTAIN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 7" TEST PRESSING (ROUGH TRADE - RT 136)
THE SMITHS - REEL AROUND THE FOUNTAIN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 7" TEST PRESSING (ROUGH TRADE - RT 136). Staggeringly scarce original 1983 7" 'green' label test pressing of the cancelled and withdrawn second single 'Reel Around The Fountain'. It was decided by Rough Trade that the John Peel session of 'Reel Around The Fountain' would be used for the A-side of this withdrawn single with the Toy Tate-produced 'Jeane' on the B-side. The record is in superlative Ex+ condition showing only a couple of extremely fine, faint and wispy paper marks. A-side Matrix Etching - RT 136 A-1U-1-1-1. B-side Matrix Etching - RT 136 B-1U-1-1-1 (SLAP ME ON THE PATIO)This was the first serious Smiths collectable which entered collector's circles back in 1983 due to its withdrawn status. This listing also comes with the 1983 Issue 15 of Jamming magazine where Rough Trade promoted an early advert for the ill-fated release on page 3 of the magazine.
Sold for £2,200
Hammer Price
THE SMITHS - REEL AROUND THE FOUNTAIN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 7" TEST PRESSING (ROUGH TRADE - RT 136). Staggeringly scarce original 1983 7" 'green' label test pressing of the cancelled and withdrawn second single 'Reel Around The Fountain'. It was decided by Rough Trade that the John Peel session of 'Reel Around The Fountain' would be used for the A-side of this withdrawn single with the Toy Tate-produced 'Jeane' on the B-side. The record is in superlative Ex+ condition showing only a couple of extremely fine, faint and wispy paper marks. A-side Matrix Etching - RT 136 A-1U-1-1-1. B-side Matrix Etching - RT 136 B-1U-1-1-1 (SLAP ME ON THE PATIO)This was the first serious Smiths collectable which entered collector's circles back in 1983 due to its withdrawn status. This listing also comes with the 1983 Issue 15 of Jamming magazine where Rough Trade promoted an early advert for the ill-fated release on page 3 of the magazine.
Auction: The Billy Albert Collection Of Smiths Vinyl and Memorabilia, 18th Feb, 2025
A few words from Billy Albert himself..
"The time has come to finally let go of my Smiths treasures, a wealth of treats for the casual Smiths collector and the hardcore completist. Yes it's an old cliché, I've enjoyed collecting and owning all of this, but it's now time for other collectors to enjoy these items.
I've long battled with the pros and cons of whether to sell this collection off piecemeal over time (like a small pension), or whether to let it all go in one sale with all the limitations that can possibly go with that alternative. My vanity ultimately won over to let it all go for the spectacle that you see before you.
Please fill your boots, you are unlikely to see another collection go up for sale like this for a long time until another hardcore collector either sadly passes on or has the bank manager knocking at their door. Thankfully neither of these circumstances have caused this sale. I am just too selfish to let my next of kin enjoy the proceeds of all of this after I am gone, when I can spend it on myself instead!"
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Viewing by appointment 17th February
