18th Feb, 2025 10:00
The Billy Albert Collection Of Smiths Vinyl and Memorabilia
THE SMITHS - LOUDER THAN BOMBS LP (ORIGINAL UK DOUBLE WHITE LABEL TEST PRESSING - ROUGH 255)
THE SMITHS - LOUDER THAN BOMBS LP (ORIGINAL UK DOUBLE WHITE LABEL TEST PRESSING - ROUGH 255). Excruciatingly rare 1987 2 x UK test pressings of the 'Louder Than Bombs' double album. 'Louder Than Bombs' was a compilation album produced by Sire Records in the USA released to capitalise on the growing interest in the band in the United States. In order to avoid UK Smiths fans having to pay the high cost of imported copies of this Sire album, they pressed their own UK version. Both records are in superb Ex+ condition showing only a couple of extremely minor, faint and wispy paper marks. Side 1 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 A1. Side 2 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 B1. Side 3 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 C1. Side 4 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 D1 The UK album was not promoted at all, so no copies were sent out for promotional purposes, therefore this test pressing would have only been pressed in a handful of quantities, so don't expect to see another one come along anytime in the near future...
Sold for £3,200
Hammer Price
THE SMITHS - LOUDER THAN BOMBS LP (ORIGINAL UK DOUBLE WHITE LABEL TEST PRESSING - ROUGH 255). Excruciatingly rare 1987 2 x UK test pressings of the 'Louder Than Bombs' double album. 'Louder Than Bombs' was a compilation album produced by Sire Records in the USA released to capitalise on the growing interest in the band in the United States. In order to avoid UK Smiths fans having to pay the high cost of imported copies of this Sire album, they pressed their own UK version. Both records are in superb Ex+ condition showing only a couple of extremely minor, faint and wispy paper marks. Side 1 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 A1. Side 2 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 B1. Side 3 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 C1. Side 4 Matrix Etching - ROUGH 255 D1 The UK album was not promoted at all, so no copies were sent out for promotional purposes, therefore this test pressing would have only been pressed in a handful of quantities, so don't expect to see another one come along anytime in the near future...
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!"
Viewing
Viewing by appointment 17th February
