PINK FLOYD ANIMALS A2/B2 1st Press AMAZING COVER & AUDIO SUPERB AUDIO EX/MINT-
£
107
$
141
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Description
Pink Floyd : Animals A2/B2 1st Press
This first pressing plays to a superb standard on both sides with hardly any interference and is easily one of the finest I have sold in a long time. A small number of very light ticks on S1 on the 'Dogs' intro and some quiet static on S2 during a couple of sections but so much less than what you usually find. As many Floyd collectors will know S2 is often affected by sound issues but as I say there is only minimal static here and there are no clicks or pops on either side. A stunning example overall.
The vinyl is visually stunning with only one hairline mark on S1 that is a little more obvious. The cover is in fantastic condition with barely any wear - there is no marking and the colouring is still as strong and vivid as it was back in '77. It is practically 'as new'. The lyric inner has also been preserved so well and for once has no bottom edge split!
SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 2U // GHT 1 / GTR 2
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Ex)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 ranges between Near Mint & Mint- / T2 intro Ex & 'Lord's Prayer' section Ex-)
The gatefold is Near Mint
The labels are Mint-
The lyric inner is Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no scratches at all. There is just one small obvious hairline mark at the end of S1 but it has no affect on the superb audio. Aside from that it has only a handful of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines. The run out grooves are super clean and the labels have no marking and only very minimal spindle wear. A very impressive first pressing.
Play grading
As you set the stylus down the run in on S1 is so clean with no 'background' and then the acoustic 'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' plays with supreme clarity and precision. All I detected were a couple of barely audible dust ticks and there is no underlying static, no clicks or pops and it provides a Mint- start to the album.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax and the quiet build up intro on 'Dogs' plays very clearly but with some very light ticks for the first 20 seconds. They really are so quiet and the overwhelming sound is of the acoustic guitar. The opening two verses are faultless, Gilmour's first solo is 'as new' and the third verse is just as impressive. It continues to play with stunning clarity - a clarity you only find on a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and even the quieter acoustic section about five minutes in has no 'background' which is then followed by another flawless solo from Gilmour. The next two verses play with STUNNING precision and the long instrumental section is unbelievably good - it is of course so quiet and yet the clarity is outstanding with not even a single dust tick let alone anything more! The last two verses are 'as new' again and Gilmour's final solo is as strong as the preceding two. As any Floyd collector will know the end section is always affected by inner groove distortion and I do mean always! However, this has to be the finest finale I have ever heard as there is barely any inner groove distortion...if any! Ok I know I said it's 'always' there but having played it twice now I do not think there is any any discernible distortion here, the playback is just so clean. What a finish. I will grade the intro as Ex and the remainder as Mint- it really is a stunning version. I'm not even sure the minus is required if I'm honest!
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As many collectors will know you can have a superb S1 but S2 will often play with a fair amount of static and crackle, perhaps it's something to do with the recording/manufacturing process. However, this S2 plays with great clarity and depth from the outset. The long intro on 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' has only a small number of very light dust ticks and there is no interference. The opening two verses play with immaculate precision and the instrumental section that follows is of the same 'high end' standard. Maybe 3/4 dust ticks at most, the clarity is superb. There is just a minimal amount of mega light static towards the end (and I do mean minimal!) but it is so quiet and totally non-intrusive. The final verse again plays with sublime clarity and only a small number of insignificant dust ticks. Gilmour's closing solo is so powerful with no distortion and even the long fade out plays perfectly. This is easily one of the finest examples of this track that I have ever heard. It ranges between Near Mint and Mint but certainly more of the latter!
The long intro on 'Sheep' plays very clearly for the vast majority. There is a little more static in a couple of sections but it is still very quiet and not intrusive in my opinion and of course there are no clicks or pops. It has to grade as Ex at the very least. The first two verses play with stunning sonic quality and the following instrumental section keeps up this exemplary standard. As the volume picks up again the playback is as good as it was back in '77! The beginning of the 'Lord's Prayer' section has some light static and there are some very light ticks during it also. Don't let this put you off as they are very quiet! I will grade this section as Ex- although perhaps that is being a little too critical as it still plays extremely well! The final vocal is 'as new' and Gilmour's closing section reaches levels of power and depth you rarely find on a first A2/B2 pressing. There is no distortion and I cannot overstate just how strong the playback is - the sheep/birdsong fade out could not 'play' with any greater precision, there is no static at all. So other than the intro and the 'Lord's Prayer' the audio is Mint- it is that good.
'Pigs On The Wing (Part 2)' closes the album with STUNNING clarity from the first note to the last. It's rare for the final grooves on any vinyl to play so clearly let alone one of this age and on such a quiet acoustic track. I heard only 3/4 very light dust ticks (no background static) and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.
In summary I can confidently say that this is one of the finest first pressings I have ever listened to in many a year. So much of the audio is Mint no exaggeration and this clarity of sound is so rarely found on an A2/B2 first press. S2 is often the problematic side but it has only a little static in a couple of sections which is quiet anyway. There are no clicks or pops on either side and as I say the sonic quality is stunning for the vast majority. Complete with a stunning cover and lyric inner this is a superb example and would grace any collection.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
At first glance you would think this cover was brand new! It is only on closer inspection that you can see a small number of 'specks' on the top edges although the bottom edges are more or less perfect. The wide spine is perfect and all corners have hardly any wear. The opening edge is 100% pristine and the front and back cover are also in beautiful condition with no marking etc. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no fading and the cover is also very strong and robust which shows how infrequently it has been handled. It is rare for an unlaminated cover from the '77 to be as stunning as this. A fantastic example.
The original lyric inner is practically 'shop fresh' and has again been so well preserved. There are no side splits or tears, no creasing or marking and the only thing I can see is one tiny white rub on the bottom edge. This inner is hardly ever found without a bottom edge split and this inner is a stunner for sure!
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 // GHT 1 / GTR 2
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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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
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ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
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