T. Rex (1969) – Pewter Suitor 7-Inch Acetate With Handwritten Label By Marc Bolan Memorabilia
An original 7-inch acetate pressing of the 1969 T. Rex single Pewter Suitor. The acetate features London Disc-Cutting labels with the track title written in blue biro and personal handwritten notes in red felt pen attributed to Marc Bolan.
The inscription was written for broadcaster John Peel, with the acetate being one of a number of records reportedly sent to him with personal messages from Marc Bolan during the late 1960s. The handwritten annotations provide a rare surviving example of the correspondence and working relationship between Bolan and Peel during the formative Tyrannosaurus Rex era.
ITEM DETAILS
FIELD | DETAILS |
Artist | T. Rex |
Title | Pewter Suitor |
Format | 7-Inch Acetate |
Studio | London Disc-Cutting |
Year | 1969 |
Label Notes | Handwritten by Marc Bolan |
Track Title | Written in blue biro |
Personal Message | Written in red felt pen |
Intended Recipient | John Peel |
Condition | Excellent, a couple of light hairline and paper marks |
Sold Date | July 29, 2025 |
Source | Omega Auctions |
NOTES
This acetate is notable not only for its rarity as an early T. Rex pressing, but also for the personal annotations written on the label. Records sent directly to John Peel with handwritten notes from Marc Bolan seldom appear on the market and provide an unusual glimpse into their professional and personal association.
The acetate was described as having bright, clean labels and an excellent lacquer playing surface.
As one of several known examples sent to Peel, it represents an important piece of T. Rex archive history from the late 1960s.
Released on January 17, 1969, Pewter Suitor was the fourth UK single by Tyrannosaurus Rex and followed the group's growing success on Regal Zonophone. Issued during the prolific period between the release of the band's first two albums, the single showcased Marc Bolan's continuing development as a songwriter and lyricist.
Although the record did not enter the UK Singles Chart, it remains a key release from the duo's early period and is regarded as one of the more distinctive non-album singles from the Tyrannosaurus Rex catalogue.
Both tracks were recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
Production was handled by Tony Visconti for Straight Ahead Productions.
Both the A-side and B-side were issued in mono.
The recordings reflect the continuing creative partnership between Marc Bolan, Steve Peregrin Took and Tony Visconti during the group's most productive early period.
STYLE & THEMES
"Pewter Suitor" combines the whimsical imagery, acoustic instrumentation and mystical atmosphere that had become Tyrannosaurus Rex trademarks by early 1969.
The B-side, "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles", continues Bolan's fascination with fantasy, mythology and surreal storytelling, themes that featured prominently throughout the group's early recordings.
Together, the two songs capture the unique blend of folk, poetry and imagination that separated Tyrannosaurus Rex from their contemporaries.
T REX - PEWTER SUITOR 7" ACETATE (HAND WRITTEN LABEL BY MARC BOLAN). An incredible to see 7" acetate pressing of T Rex's 1969 single Pewter Suitor, labels feature hand-written notes about the release for John Peel written by Marc Bolan (London Disc-Cutting labels are bright and clean. Track names written in blue biro. Notes by Marc Bolan for John written in red felt pen. Lacquer playing surface is Ex, displays a couple of hairline/ wispy paper marks). One of a number of records sent to John Peel with personal handwritten messages from Marc Bolan on the label
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
SIDE ONE
• Pewter Suitor (3:09) – A melodic Tyrannosaurus Rex composition featuring Bolan's distinctive lyrical imagery and acoustic style.
SIDE TWO
• War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles – A fantasy-inspired recording reflecting the whimsical storytelling that characterised the group's early work.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released by Regal Zonophone on January 17, 1969 under catalogue number RZ 3016.
Commercial copies were issued with Regal Zonophone's standard red centre labels.
Despite failing to chart, the release became a favourite among collectors and remains an important part of the duo's recorded legacy.
The single also received releases in additional territories including France and the Netherlands.
PERSONNEL
Marc Bolan — vocals, guitar
Steve Peregrin Took — percussion, vocals
Tony Visconti — producer
PRODUCTION
Producer: Tony Visconti
Production Company: Straight Ahead Productions
Studio: Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London
Label: Regal Zonophone
Country: UK
Format: 7" Single, 45 RPM, Mono
Catalogue Number: RZ 3016
Publisher: Essex International / Lupus Music Ltd.
NOTES
• Released on January 17, 1969.
• Recorded at Trident Studios, St. Anne's Court, Soho, London.
• Produced by Tony Visconti.
• Both tracks were issued in mono.
• Commercial copies featured Regal Zonophone's standard red centre labels.
• The single failed to chart in the UK.
• The promotional issue used the title "Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles" as a single word.
• Standard commercial copies used the title "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles" as two words.
• The release is one of the last Tyrannosaurus Rex singles before the group's sound began evolving towards later developments.
• No authentic picture sleeve was issued with the original UK release.
• The commonly encountered picture sleeve was produced during the 1990s by Paul Johnson for the Marc Bolan fan club.
• The fan-club sleeve is not an original 1969 issue.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Country | Date | Format | Catalogue Number |
UK | January 17, 1969 | 7" Single | RZ 3016 |
UK | 1969 | 7" Promo Single | RZ 3016 |
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
Country | Year | Label | Catalogue Number |
France | 1969 | Stateside | 2C 006 90026 |
Netherlands | 1969 | Stateside | HSS 1339 |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue Number | Tracklisting |
7" Single | RZ 3016 | Side One • Pewter Suitor (3:09) Side Two • War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles |
RUN-OUT ETCHINGS
Side | Matrix / Runout |
Side One | 7XCAR 6956-2 / 1 KT A |
Side Two | 7XCAR 6957-2 / 1 KT A |
SPECIAL PRESSINGS & VARIANTS
Variant | Notes |
Promo Copy | B-side listed as "Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles" |
Commercial Issue | B-side listed as "War Lord Of The Royal Crocodiles" |
Standard Red Label Issue | Original UK commercial pressing |
1990s Fan Club Sleeve | Unofficial commemorative sleeve produced by Paul Johnson |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, RockfilesUK.
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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