PINK FLOYD, ANIMALS, 1977 UK HARVEST 1st PRESS WITH EARLIEST A-2U/B-2U MATRICES

PINK FLOYD, ANIMALS, 1977 UK HARVEST 1st PRESS WITH EARLIEST A-2U/B-2U MATRICES

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Description

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Pink Floyd's highly regarded tenth studio album titled "Animals", Catalogue Number SHVL 815. It's a 1977 UK stereo first pressing on the EMI Harvest record label, with a first issue widespine Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the correct first issue lyric inner sleeve which is made from thick card and has rounded corners. [The matrix numbers are the earliest SHVL 815 A-2U and SHVL 815 B-2U].

The Hipgnosis designed gatefold sleeve has some small patches of surface colour loss where the glossy finish has reacted with a PVC storage sleeve. It is otherwise in EX condition with barely any signs of wear and only a couple of very minor creases. The opening gatefold spread is pristine and the wide spine is square and solid with perfect text.

The top quality mid-weight record is visually in EX+/MINT- condition with only a few superficial sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. The EMI Harvest picture labels are unmarked with only a modest number of spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is very dynamic and vibrant with lots of wonderful sound effects. It really is a top-playing copy which I can't imagine can be significantly improved upon.
 

The thick card inner sleeve has a short split to the bottom edge but is otherwise unmarked.

Overall this is a superb first press copy of  one of Pink Floyd's most accomplished albums which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £11.50

Worldwide - £14.50