DAVID BOWIE Life On Mars Vinyl Record 7 Inch RCA Victor 1973 Original 1st Press RCA 2316 1E Single

David Bowie - Life On Mars
(Original UK 1st Pressing with Orange RCA Victor Label that has ℗ 1971
A Gem Production and Titanic/Chrysalis Music text. The label is without the later Mainman credit. Solid Centre Label Design. A 1E/B 1E Matrix)

Format: Vinyl Record - 7 Inch Single (45 rpm)
Country: UK
Year: 1973
Label: RCA Victor
Catalogue No. RCA 2316

Matrix / Runout (Side A, runout, stamped): RCA 2316 A 1E A 33
Matrix / Runout (Side B, runout, stamped): RCA 2316 B 1E E 1

Condition: VG+ (The vinyl is in clean condition. It has a few surface marks)

Side A: Life On Mars
Side B: The Man Who Sold The World

This is a great opportunity presents itself to acquire a highly sought-after original 1973 UK first pressing of the iconic seven-inch single, Life On Mars, by the legendary visionary David Bowie. Released on the premium orange RCA Victor label under catalogue number RCA 2316, this vintage 45 rpm release stands as a foundational monument of the glam rock movement. Crucially for discography specialists, this authentic debut issue features the highly prized solid centre design with the earliest text layout showcasing the ℗ 1971 mark, a Gem Production, and Titanic/Chrysalis Music credits. It is entirely free of the later, more common Mainman management revisions. Purists will instantly validate its premium archive status by the stamped earliest 1E/1E matrix strings visible in the dead wax.

Musically, the A-side features the soaring, cinematic masterpiece "Life On Mars", which originally debuted on his 1971 long-player Hunky Dory. Turning the platter over exposes the equally legendary B-side, "The Man Who Sold The World", originally serving as the title track to his seminal 1970 studio album. Both recordings benefit immensely from the warm, punchy dynamics of this early British vinyl mastering, offering a superior audio experience compared to modern digital compressions.

The physical record is securely evaluated at a VG+ condition tier, making it a nice collector copy. The vinyl surfaces remains clean, retaining healthy sheen accented by only a few superficial surface marks that do not impair overall visual or playback appeal. Dispatched in a standard generic white sleeve, this elusive initial RCA Victor issue represents an essential cornerstone piece for any David Bowie discography collection.