18th Feb, 2025 10:00
The Billy Albert Collection Of Smiths Vinyl and Memorabilia
THE SMITHS - THIS CHARMING MAN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 'LONDON VERSION' 7" TEST PRESSING (RT 136)
THE SMITHS - THIS CHARMING MAN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 'LONDON VERSION' 7" TEST PRESSING (RT 136). 1983 UK single-sided 7" test pressing of the 'London Version' of 'This Charming Man'. You all know the story, The Smiths recorded the first studio version of TCM in London, a handful of test pressings were pressed and Geoff Travis, head of Rough Trade rejected it and told the band to re-record it which they duly did in Manchester (Stockport to be pedantic). This is a nice piece of 'never happened' history because the test pressings are the only place where you will find the London Version in 7" format. This is 1-sided only with a test-tone on the other side. The record is in VG+ condition showing a few light surface marks to the playing surface, these are never heavier feelable scratches. A-side Matrix Etching (machine stamped): RT 136 A-2U-1-1-1. B-side Matrix Etching - FB 7 x 1. Date stamped '26 SEP 1983' and handwritten catalogue number to the 'B' side label.
Sold for £1,900
Hammer Price
THE SMITHS - THIS CHARMING MAN - 1983 WITHDRAWN AND UNRELEASED 'LONDON VERSION' 7" TEST PRESSING (RT 136). 1983 UK single-sided 7" test pressing of the 'London Version' of 'This Charming Man'. You all know the story, The Smiths recorded the first studio version of TCM in London, a handful of test pressings were pressed and Geoff Travis, head of Rough Trade rejected it and told the band to re-record it which they duly did in Manchester (Stockport to be pedantic). This is a nice piece of 'never happened' history because the test pressings are the only place where you will find the London Version in 7" format. This is 1-sided only with a test-tone on the other side. The record is in VG+ condition showing a few light surface marks to the playing surface, these are never heavier feelable scratches. A-side Matrix Etching (machine stamped): RT 136 A-2U-1-1-1. B-side Matrix Etching - FB 7 x 1. Date stamped '26 SEP 1983' and handwritten catalogue number to the 'B' side label.
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
