Vinyl: Elton John - Self Titled - Original French Issue Sleeve Never Used For This LP?

Elton John - Self Titled - Original France issue on the DJM Records label. PS 406. Quite possibly the rarest and most unique sleeve of any Elton John record. The album was distributed by CBS Records. The vinyl and sleeve were manufactured in France. The sleeve has the catalogue number DJM 406 printed on it unlike the DJLPS 406 that was common with most European issues. This is Elton John's second official album and the artwork showing a picture of Elton's left side of his face was common to that issue and was used all around the world for that release. The story goes that the French printers had not be given a copy of the intended artwork in time for the albums release and as the date got closer they started to print this sleeve. It is believed that once the artwork did arrive this version of the sleeve was scrapped. I am unable to confirm if this is true as that's how it was told to me years ago, however I used to print record sleeves for Delga Press many years ago and every now and then we would be given the original artworks for various 70's record releases. Those of you who collect 70's and 80's records will notice that a lot of the sleeves have PRINTED BY DELGA PRESS on the back cover. This record along with a load of Promos came from one of the reps who at the time used to deal with thousands of artworks so perhaps there is some truth in it's history. I have looked everywhere on the internet for another example without any success. If anyone out there has any info please let me know. The vinyl comes in VG+ condition. Lots of light marks and 2 noticeable but not feelable scratches on the A-side that can be seen in the last picture. No marks or scratches affect the playback. The sleeve would rate VG with a bit of age related wear. Still a nice piece of music history for the collection and quite possibly the only copy to exist?. This item would be collection only. Any questions?. Good luck and thanks for your interest.