Animals A2/B2 (1st Press)

This genuine first pressing plays with excellent audio overall and as can be seen has a very clean gatefold.

SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 2U // OD 2 / MT 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (2/3 seconds on 'Dogs' is VG-)

The audio on S2 is Ex (Ex+ in many sections)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric sleeve is VG++

The labels are Mint-

The vinyl has been very well preserved and is very clean indeed.  Under a strong bright light I can detect a number of very fine sleeve removal hairlines but there are no scratches and it still has a glossy look with no marking.  There is only one spindle trace on S1 and only a little more on S2 suggesting the record hasn't been played that much.

Play grading  

'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' plays so clearly it could almost be graded as Mint- it is that good.  However, there are 3/4 very light static sounds so Near Mint is a fairer assessment I believe.  The audio quality was stunning in any case!  The intro on 'Dogs' plays with incredibly clear sound , 'as new' if I'm honest.  This clarity continues but there are three pops in the quieter section about 5 minutes in due to a tiny 'speck' that refuses to move.  It is unfortunate as that is the only interference of any note on the entire track and the remainder does play with stunning definition and clarity.  In fact aside from that two second section this is undoubtedly one of the best versions of this track I have heard in a long time.  The louder end section always plays with some distortion but there is definitely less here.

'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' has hardly any static on the intro and then continues to play with wonderful depth and clarity.  There are some light 'ticks' in the middle section but in no way are they intrusive and overall the audio is very impressive for a first A2/B2 pressing.  There are no loud clicks or pops at all and the fade out just has a little 'background'.  This is also found on the quiet 'Sheep' intro, some gentle background hiss is the best way to describe it.  This is vinyl and you accept the imperfections that is part of its charm.  Once the vocal begins the audio is dynamic and plays without issue.  The remainder of the track plays very well with only a little background static here and there with minimal distortion on the end section.  'Pigs on The Wing P2' ends this album with some light static again but plays very clearly for such a quiet track with no clicks or pops.

The Gatefold

The G & L gatefold is one of the most impressive I have seen in a long time and hopefully the photos do it justice.  So often found in poor condition this cover is very prone to shelf wear.  Not this one!  The edges on the front cover have hardly any shelf wear and the back cover edges are also very clean aside from a little rubbing and a small area on the top edge where it is wearing thin.  It is not a split!  The wide spine is in great order with just minor rubbing on the corners and the opening edge has no handling wear at all, absolutely perfect.  The front cover is beautifully clean with only a couple of 'specks' and the back cover nearly matches it with only a small number of light creases around the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is in fantastic shape with only a hint of wear on the top of the inside spine.  It is one of the cleanest 'interiors' I have seen in a long time with none of the usual spotting.  Overall a wonderful example of this now 41 year old cover.

Lyric sleeve

This has the rounded corners as per the first pressings and is very clean with none  of the creasing or rubbing to the edges that you often find.  However, there are two splits - one of 6cms on the right side and a smaller 4cm one on the bottom edge.

The labels

They are perfectly clean with no marking/writing and not very much spindle wear either.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 2U // OD 2 / MT 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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