Mary Hopkin - Earth Song / Ocean Song Trident Studios Acetate
Mary Hopkin – Earth Song / Ocean Song Trident Studios Acetate
An original Trident Studios lacquer acetate of Mary Hopkin's 1971 album Earth Song / Ocean Song, created during the album's production and bearing handwritten annotations identifying the artist and “Side Two.”
Produced by Tony Visconti for Apple Records, Earth Song / Ocean Song marked a pivotal moment in Mary Hopkin's career, moving beyond the polished pop of her early Beatles-era recordings towards a more mature, pastoral folk sound. The album has since become one of the most highly regarded releases on the Apple label.
Unlike commercial pressings, acetates such as this were individually cut in extremely limited numbers for artists, producers and engineers to evaluate recordings before final manufacture. Their delicate lacquer construction meant they were intended only as working copies, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.
This acetate carries exceptional provenance. According to the consignor, his late father-in-law worked as caretaker at a block of flats in Courtfield Gardens, Kensington, where Tony Visconti and Mary Hopkin maintained a flat that was occasionally used as a recording space. The acetate was reportedly recovered after being discarded, remaining in the family's possession ever since.
Pressed on a Trident Studios reference label, the acetate is handwritten “Mary Hopkin” and “Side Two – All Work Copyright,” offering a tangible production-stage artefact from one of London's most celebrated recording studios.
Key Details & Collectability
- Original Trident Studios lacquer acetate
- Contains Side Two of Mary Hopkin's Earth Song / Ocean Song
- Handwritten “Mary Hopkin” and “Side Two” annotations on the Trident Studios label
- Produced by Tony Visconti for Apple Records (1971)
- Direct family provenance from the former Courtfield Gardens recording premises associated with Tony Visconti and Mary Hopkin
- Rare production-stage artefact created during the making of one of Apple Records' most celebrated non-Beatles albums
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Provenance
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