Collecting "This Charming Man"

[Stephane]

Phew, this was a long one, but I loved doing it. "This Charming Man" has always been my favourite release to collect. All those variations...

"Passions Just Like Mine" (link below)
> 'official releases'
>> 'complete discography'
>>> 'the smiths'
>>>> 'This Charming Man'
>>>>> 'collector's appendix'

Or take the shortcut

For more info on this series, please read this.

Now your turn...

thanks,
Stephane

[Raphael Lambach]

Hey.. it's wonderful.
What will the other singles have this entry?

[billybu69]

Wow this is fabulous it'll take forever to complete. good luck

[Dave2006]

I'm desperate for that poster, someone must have one that they want to sell... PM me


Dave

[Dave2006]

So, there are 6 UK versions of the 7" to collect. 6 UK versions of the 12" (version 2 is actually two versions!?!). And 4 versions of the New York mix.

That's before we get into test pressings and promos - 10 of them.

And 28 overseas versions.

Bloody hell. Best get shopping then.

It must be the release with the most different versions. I guess the popularity of the single wasn't to be expected and as an indie label Rough Trade just had to get stuff sent out to different companies to be pressed and printed and do it time and time again...

Excellent work Stephane. Well done

Dave

[roky]

I have version 2
Capitol-style logo, publishers are Glad Hips, push-out centre.
RT-136 A-3U-1- / RT-136 B-1U-1-

But the B-side label on vinyl is missing, so I guess you could call it a record plant mistake.

[Stefan R]

UK 7" 1-sided test pressing London version [Rough Trade RT136]
One-sided test pressing of the London version of "This Charming Man". The band was not happy with this version and re-recorded the song in Manchester; the London version appeared later on the 12" single. Label is white, stamped '26 SEP 1983' and has the band name, both titles, 'NOT FINISHED' and 'RT 136 A-2U' in handwriting on it. The record has anti-slip serrations. Estimated 2 in existence.
RT 136 A-2U-1-1-1 / FB 7 X 1 LPFB

[everydayslikesunday]

Hi Stephane

What you are doing here is awesome, but slightly soul destroying when I realise how many I am missing

I have a copy of UK 7" version 6, rubber stamp logo, solid centre and Glad Hips publishers. Let me know if you want a photo?

[Stephane]

I have a copy of UK 7" version 6, rubber stamp logo, solid centre and Glad Hips publishers. Let me know if you want a photo?

Yes I'd love that. Please send it to stephane@PassionsJustLikeMine.com

And please let me know what the matrix numbers are.

Stephane

[everydayslikesunday]

Yes I'd love that. Please send it to stephane@PassionsJustLikeMine.com

And please let me know what the matrix numbers are.

Stephane

No problem, do you want a hi-res photo or would you be happy with a compressed one? It makes little difference to me.

[Stephane]

No problem, do you want a hi-res photo or would you be happy with a compressed one? It makes little difference to me.

Hi-res is good.

thanks!
Stephane

[Stefan Krix]

Some Info on the dutch 7" (RTOS 136) (Sorry if you already know...)

The disc is single sided, though the B-Side does bear a label, but it states 'Don't use this side'. The disc also bears a second cat.-no. 08-10803 (-1 on the A-Side and -2 on the B-Side). Its housed in a white plain sheet with a centre hole.

[Stephane]

Some Info on the dutch 7" (RTOS 136) (Sorry if you already know...)

The disc is single sided, though the B-Side does bear a label, but it states 'Don't use this side'. The disc also bears a second cat.-no. 08-10803 (-1 on the A-Side and -2 on the B-Side). Its housed in a white plain sheet with a centre hole.

Thanks Stefan. As you may have noticed, that record is described in the section on the debut album, because it is a freebie which came with the debut in Holland. That's why I put up a link in the "This Charming Man" section that leads you there.

Stephane

[sander]

Any thoughts on this one? Real or fake? I didn´t find it in the collector´s appendix http://cgi.ebay.de/MINT-UNPLAYED-TES...item2c58be0dcc

[Stephane]

I think the image may not match the content. The auction shows a German test pressing ('Musterplatte') and I'd be very surprised if the London version of TCM was ever 'test pressed' in Germany.

Stephane

[sander]

I think the image may not match the content. The auction shows a German test pressing ('Musterplatte') and I'd be very surprised if the London version of TCM was ever 'test pressed' in Germany.

Stephane

That´s what I thought. You didn´t mention this "Musterplatte" in your appendix. The sellers also claims to own 5 copies (!!!!) of this rare record. Very suspicious in my opinion.

Edit:The seller relisted the item as a german test-pressing, but has now only one further copy!?!?!?!?!

[The Outsider]

France 12" [Virgin 80.074]
This 12" reprint dates from some time after 1984 as the original 6-digit catalogue number was replaced with a 5-digit one . The only difference with the previous edition is the correction of the catalogue number on the label and on the back of the sleeve.


You're right for the text but the tint is quite different.

Here is the 601110 back sleeve (with golden PM 132 sticker too ) :



And the 80.074. The text is rather color coal and the sleeve is clearer :



The labels have different tint too :

[Stephane]

Thanks for the scans The Outsider. However these colour variations were probably not meant to be, they must have happened at the printers. I have photos and scans of both of these in the opposite colours to yours. I've had many copies of most records go through my hands at different times over the years, and have only noted colour variations when they were constant.

Stephane

[The Outsider]

Interesting Stephane. I think that this peculiarity deserves to be indicated.

And is it the same thing for the tint sleeves ?

[Stephane]

Interesting Stephane. I think that this peculiarity deserves to be indicated.

Not really. This happens with at least half of the vinyl sleeves. And not always with the same intensity. If I go down that road, it'll just clutter the files with tedious and boring information. It's already a bit trainspottery as it is...

Stephane