PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON UK HARVEST 1973 SECOND ISSUE COMPLETE & NR MINT

	£		160
	$		212

PLEASE NOTE: IN SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN MY LISTINGS YOU MAY SEE SLIGHT 'SHADOWING OR DARKER PATCHES' AND 'COLOUR INCONSISTENCIES'. THIS IS DUE TO EITHER AN ABERRATION OF MY CAMERA LENS OR CHANGING LIGHT CONDITIONS AND, UNLESS I MAKE A POINT OF STATING OTHERWISE, YOU CAN ASSUME THAT IN REALITY THESE DO NOT EXIST.

An Important Foreword Regarding Condition & Grading: Previous visitors to my listings will know that I offer albums which range from 'very good plus' to 'near mint' in terms of condition. I don’t restrict my offerings to just near mint, and I don’t just call everything great or excellent plus regardless of condition. Occasionally a rare album turns up which in some respects grades 'very good plus' but in other ways is outstanding so providing each of the features are individually and accurately graded - and I take great care with this - I am happy to offer it for sale. However, all vinyl albums I offer are at least highly presentable and deliver enjoyable audio, and most are much better than that. If you are intending to bid please read my comments, observations and individual gradings and check that you are satisfied before placing your bid.

Vinyl Cleaning: I use machine cleaning only when my ‘ear’ tells me that the audio performance has deteriorated by exposure over time and will obviously be returned closer to the original sound by using this method. If I think a vinyl will benefit from this I carry out the procedure with great care, but I do not clean vinyls for the sake of it - many I offer for sale have had little use and although there can be slight contamination in the grooves, even when new, that is the original authentic sound. My preferred method with little used vinyls is by soft ‘light touch’ hand brush with natural fine hair gently moved in the direction of the microgrooves. In all methods of cleaning I use a mild solution of isopropyl alcohol with a spot of gentle detergent to lubricate and clean the playing surfaces. I am aware that cleaning can be a controversial subject with vinyl collectors, audio purists and enthusiasts so I will state on each individual listing if, and how, the vinyl(s) have been cleaned just after the ‘Vinyl Visual Grade’.

Specific notes regarding grading and description: The first section of each listing summarises the album offered, contributors and format followed by the ‘provenance’ in terms of the matrix – mother – stamper trail which determines the ‘position’ of a record in the pressing process. The dedicated sections which follow explain why I consider the particular album to be rare and / or special, accompanied by my comments and observations, and then deals with the grading of each aspect of it accompanied by a brief description. My assessment of the appropriate grade for each component is based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2016’. The essential ‘play grade’ and ‘audio performance’ report rounds up the description just prior to the ‘general notes’, which is the same on all of my listings. I hope that this layout, including the extensive photo gallery, will prevent bidders from overlooking key points in their evaluation. Please read the following description and take a careful look at the comprehensive photographs which show the actual item clearly and provide an informative and accurate representation.

When I mention age in my listings it is not an excuse for poor condition but as a matter of fact. I do not regard condition as age related, it is primarily dependant on care, and if you ever see something described as ‘good for its age’ I recommend you avoid it because more often than not it’s an excuse for something that has not been carefully used.

I do not use photographs to enhance albums; they are included as an aid to bidders and I always ‘frame’ the shots to highlight any flaws or blemishes – not to bleach out, obscure or avoid them. My photo galleries always feature photos taken from as many angles as reasonably possible, with ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ facilities, because I want visitors to have the best opportunity to examine visual condition. I always request the maximum photo facility from the eBay system but I have noticed that on some occasions, presumably due to technical glitches, the ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ does not work. If you ever have any difficulty obtaining satisfactory images from my listings please contact me via a message to the listing and I will send you more photographs as an attachment to my reply.

Album / Record Title: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Artiste(s): PINK FLOYD – Roger Waters, Dave Gilmour, Richard Wright, Nick Mason

Track Listing: Please see label photographs for full details

Produced By: Pink Floyd

Cover maker / designer / format / construction: Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd., UK first issue (date coded 7303 – March 1973) ‘black’ gatefold cover with the original dark blue circular group name and album title on the front, design by Hipgnosis (Storm Thorgerson & Aubrey Powell), artwork by their associate George Hardie - it is a heavy duty gatefold of rigid card construction, the front leading edge is straight cut with the two sides glued together, it is not laminated.

Disc Format & Playing Speed: 12” LP & 33 1/3 r.p.m.

Recording Format: STEREO

Record label: ORIGINAL SINGLE BOXED EMI HARVEST OUTLINE ‘DUSTY POWDER’ BLUE TRIANGLE ON BLACK LABEL WITH ‘The Gramophone Co. Ltd.…’ text top perimeter & left of centre and ‘World Copyrights Ltd.’ text under track titles.

Catalogue Number(s): SHVL 804

Country of origin and first published date: UK 1973 (March)

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrix side 1 (or A): SHVL 804 A-3

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrix side 2 (or B): SHVL 804 B-3

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother side 1 (or A): 3

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother side 2 (or B): 2

Vinyl ‘run off’ stamper code side 1 (or A): RMC

Vinyl ‘run off’ stamper code side 2 (or B): AG

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 1 (or A): none visible

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 2 (or B): none visible

N.B. Please note that all matrices, mothers and stampers quoted in my listings are machine imprinted except where I state an alternative method next to them.

Rarity / Observations / Comments: VERY RARE – AND THERE WERE MILLIONS MADE SO THIS CLAIM FOR RARITY REQUIRES JUSTIFICATION. IF YOU WANT A COPY OF THIS ALBUM AND YOU ARE NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT VARIANT, CONDITION OR COMPLETENESS THEN IT'S NOT AT ALL RARE, YOU CAN FIND THEM IN BOX LOADS. HOWEVER, TO FIND AN ORIGINAL 1973 SECOND ISSUE COMPLETE AND IN ALMOST NEAR MINT CONDITION LIKE THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT – AND ON THAT BASIS IT BORDERS ON EXTREMELY RARE.

AS I HAVE SAID IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH, IN TERMS OF NUMBERS IN CIRCULATION THERE ARE VERY FEW RARE VARIANTS OF THIS ALBUM - EVEN THE LEGENDARY AND ENIGMATIC SOLID BLUE TRIANGLE FIRST PRESSING IS FAR FROM RARE IN NUMERICAL TERMS AS THERE WERE MANY THOUSANDS MADE AND A MULTITUDE ARE STILL IN CIRCULATION TODAY, SO IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY YOU CAN BUY ONE ALMOST ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. IN MOST CASES IT’S NOT THAT THEY ARE RARE BUT THERE ARE MORE BUYERS THAN SELLERS, SO UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO ‘OUTBID’ THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO BUY. HAVING MADE THAT POINT IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC VARIANTS WITHIN EACH CATEGORY THAT FOR REASON OF PROVENANCE OR CONDITION CAN BE VERY RARE INDEED – AND THIS LISTING OFFERS ONE OF THEM.

THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE MASSIVE APPEAL OF ‘THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON’ IS THE WAY IT WORKS. IT IS IN MANY WAYS THE PINNACLE OF PINK FLOYD’S PIONEERING IN THE WORLD OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK - VISUALLY, AESTHETICALLY AND MUSICALLY - IN SHORT THEIR ‘PERFECT’ ALBUM. THE WHOLE CONCEPT CAPTURES THE IMAGINATION AND EVOKES THE SENSES, EVERY ASPECT OF THE ALBUM MAKES AN ESSENTIAL CONTRIBUTION, SO AUTHENTICITY AND COMPLETENESS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.

THE FOLLOWING IS MY EXPLANATION OF WHERE THIS PARTICULAR VARIANT FIGURES IN THE OVERALL SCHEME OF ‘THE DARK SIDE’.

THIS IS FROM THE SECOND UK ISSUE IN 1973 AND IS THE THIRD VARIANT OVERALL – THERE WERE TWO VARIANTS IN THE FIRST ISSUE WHICH SLIGHTLY PRECEDED THIS ONE. DETAILS OF THE COMPONENT PARTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

FIRST IS THE ORIGINAL GARROD & LOFTHOUSE GATEFOLD COVER. ALL UK ORIGINALS ARE DATE CODED IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF THE CENTRE SPREAD ‘7303’ (MARCH 1973) WHICH WAS THE MONTH THE ALBUM WAS FIRST RELEASED IN THE UK. THE FIRST ISSUE HAD A DARK BLUE TINT TO THE COVER WHICH IS NOT VERY OBVIOUS AND AT A CURSORY GLANCE THEY ALL SEEM BLACK. HOWEVEVER, VIEWED IN A CLEAN LIGHT OR NEXT TO A SOLID BLACK OBJECT THE DARK BLUE IS APPARENT. THE BLUE TINTED COVER WAS QUITE QUICKLY REPLACED WITH THE SOLID BLACK GATEFOLD WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS ONE. SOME OF THE EARLY ISSUES HAVE A CIRCULAR GROUP NAME AND ALBUM TITLE STICKER, USUALLY ON THE FRONT LIKE THIS ONE. HOWEVER, IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS STICKER WAS NOT READY IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY FOR DISTRIBUTION WITH ALL THE EARLY ISSUE ALBUMS BECAUSE MANY ARE SEEN WITHOUT THIS STICKER. FINALLY, THE FRONT LEADING EDGE ON THIS ONE IS A STRAIGHT CUT ACROSS SEALED TOGETHER, BUT THERE WAS ALSO AN UNSEALED VARIANT AND A FOLDED IN AND SEALED FRONT FLAP VARIANT – ALL THREE TYPES WERE MADE AND DISTRIBUTED, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM, WITHIN THE FIRST UK ISSUE.

THE FIRST UK ISSUE INNER SLEEVE WAS BLACK, POLY-LINED, WITH TWO PATENT NUMBERS AND ‘MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN TEXT’, THEY WERE VERY QUICKLY REPLACED WITH STANDARD WHITE 'GREAT BRITAIN & PATENTS TEXT', LIKE THIS ONE, OR ‘EMI GIFT TEXT’ INNER SLEEVES.

THE LABELS ON THE RECORDS WENT THROUGH SEVERAL CHANGES AND THIS IS THE SECOND VARIANT. THE VERY FIRST WERE A SOLID ‘POWDER’ BLUE TRIANGLE WHICH MADE THE TRACK TITLES DIFFICULT TO READ DUE TO LACK OF CONTRAST WITH THE SILVER TEXT SO IT WAS CHANGED TO THIS ‘POWDER’ BLUE OUTLINE TRIANGLE WITH A BLACK CENTRE. HOWEVER, THE ‘DUSTY SPRAY’ EFFECT WAS STILL USED AND, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, CONTINUED TO OBSCURE SOME OF THE TEXT SO THIS WAS CHANGED AGAIN TO A MORE CLEARLY DEFINED OUTLINE BLUE TRIANGLE WHICH IS SEEN ON LATER VARIANTS.

THE FIRST AND SECOND PRESSING LABELS FEATURE ‘THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD’ TEXT AROUND THE TOP PERIMETER OF THE LABELS (WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH AN EMI CREDIT SOON THEREAFTER) AND THEY ALSO HAVE ‘World Copyrights Ltd.’ TEXT UNDER THE TRACK TITLES WHICH WAS CHANGED TO ‘Pink Floyd Music Publ.’ FOR THE THIRD ISSUE AND ALL SUBSEQUENT VARIANTS.

THE FIRST COMMERCIALLY PRESSED MATRIX SET WAS A-2 & B-2, AS THERE WERE NO COMMERCIALLY RELEASED UK A-1 OR B-1 MATRICES. THE NEXT SET WAS A-3 & B-2, WHICH WAS ALSO IN THE FIRST UK ,ISSUE AND THE NEXT WAS THIS A-3 & B-3 SET. THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY EVER INCREASING NUMBERS UP TO AT LEAST A-14 (AND PROBABLY BEYOND).

AS WAS THE NORM IN THE RECORD INDUSTRY THE VINYL WEIGHT TENDED TO DECREASE WITH EACH PRESSING. THE FIRST AND SECOND ISSUE HAD PRESSING WEIGHTS WERE TYPICALLY AROUND 135 TO 150 GRAMMES AND THIS REDUCED GRADUALLY THROUGH LATER PRESSINGS TO AS LOW AS 100 GRAMMES. AT 145 GRAMMES THIS ONE IS AT THE TOP END OF THE RANGE OF THE FIRST HEAVYWEIGHTS.

THE TWO POSTERS CAME WITH EITHER A MATT OR GLOSS SURFACE FINISH FOR THE FIRST ISSUE – THESE ARE BOTH GLOSS WHICH PERSONALLY I ASSOCIATE MORE CLOSELY WITH THE EARLIEST VARIANTS. THE GROUP POSTER HAS THE CATALOGUE NUMBER PRINTED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER BUT THE PYRAMID POSTER DOES NOT CARRY ANY REFERENCE ON FIRST ISSUES.

THE TWO ‘CARDS’ ARE THE UK FIRST ISSUE FASPRINT CRACK BACK TYPE WITH 45 DEGREE ANGLED STRIPS – THERE WERE VARIOUS MAKES AND TYPES WITH FIRST ISSUES BUT THESE HAVE BEEN WITH THE ALBUM FROM NEW AND THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THEIR AUTHENTICITY.

IN SUMMARY THE FACTORS THAT CAUSE THIS ALBUM TO BE RARE ARE THAT IT IS A COMPLETE, GENUINE UK ORIGINAL LATE FIRST OR EARLY SECOND PRESSING IN ABSOLUTELY FIRST RATE CONDITION THROUGHOUT – AND IN GRADING TERMS THAT IS EXCELLENT PLUS TO NEAR MINT.

MY GRADING OF THIS ALBUM based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2016’ (**n.b. please note that I grade accurately backed up by a description). I neither over-exaggerate nor under-exaggerate. I see no point in grading an item with multiple ++++ marks, or under-grading it and then stating that it should be graded better - I consider these methods to be confusing. I use the Record Collector system with either TOWARDS PLUS or a FULL PLUS to indicate variations above a grade. I have dropped the ‘minus’ indicator in favour of the next full grade down because I find that many sellers use the ‘minus’ as a method of implying a higher grade than is strictly deserved and I do not want to want to be associated with that practise. I always include a full set of super-sized photographs to provide bidders with the best possible opportunity to make their own visual assessment of each album in conjunction with my detailed descriptions.

Cover – front surface: EXCELLENT PLUS ~ no significant faults – just a barely noticeable small indent and a few hairline scratches hold it back from near mint.

Cover – back surface: NEAR MINT ~ no significant faults – a few tiny dot marks probably there from new.

Cover – corners: EXCELLENT ~ some minor rub wear at the tips.

Cover – top seam(s): NEAR MINT ~ no significant faults.

Cover – bottom seam(s): NEAR MINT ~ no significant faults.

Cover – leading / entry edge(s): NEAR MINT ~ no significant faults.

Cover - centre spread: NEAR MINT ~ no significant faults.

Cover – spine: EXCELLENT PLUS ~ just one minor wispy scuff – please see photograph.

Cover – overall grade: EXCELLENT PLUS ~ TO NEAR MINT

Vinyl Visual side 1 (or A): EXCELLENT PLUS – perhaps just a few of the lightest superficial surface lines caused by bag movement, but that's being ultra cautious – the record has only been played a few times and very carefully - please read the play grade below for full details.

Vinyl Visual side 2 (or B): EXCELLENT PLUS – perhaps just a few of the lightest superficial surface lines caused by bag movement, but that's being ultra cautious – the record has only been played a few times and very carefully - please read the play grade below for full details.

Vinyl Warp: nothing significant when eye tested on a moving turntable.

Vinyl Weight: 145 grammes (a superb HARVEST heavyweight)

Vinyl Cleaning: By hand only, light touch soft brush, very little required.

Label Visual side 1 (or A): NEAR MINT ~ a few very light spindle trace lines.

Label Visual side 2 (or B): NEAR MINT ~ a few very light spindle trace lines.

N.B. Please note that I make no adjustment or allowance in grading for minor marks, slight shrinkage marks, stretch marks / lines on labels, misalignment or marginal print bleed caused in original pressing; these features are quite normal and in my opinion are individual characteristics – not defects.

Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT ~ one of the standard UK original inner sleeves used for EMI Harvest albums from the era, plain white paper with Patent and Great Britain text, not lined, clean, fully intact, no seam splits or damage.

Poster Inserts: EXCELLENT PLUS – two unused originals ‘Group’ & ‘Pyramids’, gloss surface finish – the only reason I am not grading them as NEAR MINT is because there is very light, barely visible, foxing on a small area on the back (it does not affect the front in any way) and there is a small black mark on the back of one of them (as you can see).

Postcard Inserts: EXCELLENT – two original FasPrint Crack Back cards unused – I have lowered the grade because one has been caught on two occasions in the fold of the gatefold and is creased as you can see, the other has been caught lightly once which is less noticeable.

Play Grade: I consider all aspects of an albums condition and grading to be highly important and none more so than the quality of the audio delivery; superior audio performance is, above all, the main reasons for listening to vinyl. For this reason I have decided to extend my play grade to rate separately how ‘clearly’ and ‘cleanly’ the sound is received. With vinyl the listener can experience almost perfect ‘clarity’ and reality without the sound being perfectly ‘clean’ due to the fact that this is a medium where physical contact is unavoidable and the ‘finish’ in the original pressing process could vary during the course of a production run. Other factors can make very small differences: for example - lack of use, environment or type of equipment can cause variations in cleanliness. Therefore, where my cleanliness grade is lower, based on the conditions prevailing at the time I carried out my audio test, with careful use this is likely to improve.

A NOTE ON AUDIO GRADING: I REGARD PLAY GRADING RECORDS AS A PLEASURE RATHER THAN A TASK, BUT EVEN WITH MY EXPERIENCE IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO TREAD THE FINE LINE THAT WEAVES ITS WAY BETWEEN THE VARIATIONS IN DIFFERENT LISTENERS EXPECTATIONS AND / OR THE EQUIPMENT AND CONDITIONS WHICH PREVAIL IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. I SET OUT IN THE ‘GENERAL NOTES’ SECTION BELOW THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT I USE AND, AS I MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH, I DO FIND THAT LIGHTLY USED UNDAMAGED VINYLS OFTEN IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY WITH PLAY. HOWEVER, UNLESS I GRADE A RECORD AS A NEAR MINT ‘DOUBLE’ FOR CLARITY AND CLEANLINESS THERE IS ALWAYS THE CHANCE OF A RANDOM ‘POP’, ‘TICK’ OR LOW LEVEL SURFACE SOUND (EVEN WITH NEAR MINT AND NEW RECORDS THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LIGHT TRANSITIONAL SURFACE SOUND). SO, PLEASE ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THERE WILL BE SOME EVIDENCE OF THIS BEING A MEDIUM WHICH RELIES ON PHYSICAL CONTACT AND THEREFORE BY DEFINITION CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS. CLARITY AND REALITY OF SOUND IS THE REASON THAT MOST PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO ANALOGUE RECORDINGS FROM VINYL AND THAT IS WHAT I STRIVE TO PROVIDE. EQUALLY, I UNDERSTAND THAT NOBODY ENJOYS NASTY SURPRISES SO YOU CAN BE SURE THAT I WILL ALWAYS AIM TO HIGHLIGHT ANY MINOR DEFECTS AND EXPLAIN THEIR AFFECT ON THE AUDIO REPRODUCTION.

For CLARITY the audio from this vinyl grades: NEAR MINT

For CLEANLINESS the audio from this vinyl grades: EXCELLENT PLUS

Audio Performance: THIS RECORD HAS ONLY BEEN PLAYED A FEW TIMES, CAREFULLY, AND IT DELIVERS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT AUDIO FROM START TO FINISH, EVEN THE RUN-INS AND NON RECORDED SECTIONS ARE REMARKABLY QUIET AND ONLY THE FACT THAT THERE IS THE SLIGHTEST OF SURFACE SOUND, WHICH COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO A BIT OF EBEDDED DUST THROUGH LACK OF USE / PLAY WHICH WILL CLEAR WHEN PLAYED, PREVENT ME FROM AWARDING IT THE NEAR MINT DOUBLE. THIS IS A PARAGON OF VINYL ENGINEERING AND PRODUCTION ON PURE VIRGIN VINYL OF THE HIGHEST AUDIO GRADE. PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS SECTION AND THE GRADING IS BASED ENTIRELY ON MY PERSONAL OPINION AND AUDIO PERCEPTION BELONGS TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WITH VINYL CLARITY THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT TRANSITIONAL SURFACE SOUND WHICH IS INEVITABLE FROM THIS MEDIUM, EVEN WHEN NEW, AND OCCASIONALLY A LITTLE LIGHT CRACKLE WHICH IS OFTEN STATIC; OR EVEN A RANDOM SOFT TICK – BUT I DO NOT ATTACH TOO MUCH EMPHASIS TO MY CAUTIONARY REMARKS BECAUSE THIS REALLY IS A SUPREME EXAMPLE OF AUDIO FROM VINYL DOING FULL JUSTICE TO THIS TIMELESS PROGRESSIVE ROCK CLASSIC.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS BY CLICKING ON THE ‘VIEW SELLERS OTHER ITEMS’ IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER BOX OF THIS LISTING - THANK YOU.

GENERAL NOTES

Thank you for visiting my listing. The section immediately above sets out information specific to the particular album / record offered in this listing. Below are some of my general comments about vinyl which you may want to browse through if you have time. Please feel free to email me with any related comments or observations; particularly if you have any reliable information which contradicts any of my descriptions as I am always interested in adding to my knowledge on this subject. When preparing my listings I use a combination of facts from reliable sources, more than forty years of personal experience and, occasionally, music industry anecdotes.

Just a visual inspection of used vinyls is almost always misleading so I play grade every vinyl I offer, before listing, on a LINN SONDEK LP12 deck fitted with a LINN K5 cartridge down-force set at 17.5 mN (1.75 g) and a top quality stylus which I renew at intervals according to manufacturers specification, through a manufacturers pre-set REGA BRIO amplifier with sound delivered through FOCAL CHORUS 706 loudspeakers - this is a brilliant and revealing combination enabling me to be informative with play grading.

Although it is extremely rare, there can be a difference between my descriptions, and opinions, and an individual buyer’s expectations so I have a clearly stated Returns Policy for added reassurance which is detailed at the bottom of all my listings. In the unlikely event that you want to use this facility please read the details carefully first, and then contact me to agree the procedure. There really will never be a reason to have any problem with an item you purchase from me. Before bidding please read my terms and conditions of sale below which are there to inform bidders and prevent any misunderstandings.

First Issues, First Pressings & Originals: Please note that when I refer to a First Issue I mean that the evidence suggests that the album offered is from the first batch that was issued for commercial release in the country of origin stated in the listing. Where I state First Press I mean that based on a reasonable interpretation of the matrices, mothers and stamper codes the vinyl comes from the first, or extended first, production run; these statements alone do not always mean that the vinyl is from the very first ’stamper’ ever made. However, where I state First Issue and First Press it is likely that the album offered includes one (or more) of the early vinyl(s) produced in the country of origin from the first matrix sets, first or early ‘mother(s)’ and first or early ‘stamper(s)’. Original means that the record bears the first label design for that particular pressing and, in the case of the cover, it is from the first cover manufacturer for that pressing; the label and / or cover may have very slight changes, if they were made within the first production run or, if the album was issued with an ‘in run’ label change or choice of cover designs or colours on first release, but in these cases I will try and explain the differences. This is not an exact science and anomalies will occur where I may make a mistake but I believe this will not happen very often - if it does then all of my buyers have the unequivocal reassurance of my Comprehensive Returns Policy.

My definition of a rare vinyl: Generally there is agreement that to qualify for the description rare there should not be too many of the type offered, available on the market at the time. With my listings that will be the main criterion however I will also occasionally claim rarity based on excellence of condition, or some other key feature, or an accompanying item such as an insert, which is not often found with similar vinyls.

UK first and early pressings: In many cases inexperienced sellers claim first pressing status without knowledge or evidence in the hope of achieving high prices – experienced buyers will know better and avoid those offers. Of course with the more popular huge selling albums, where the record companies were fairly sure of major sales from the outset, there were many first pressings. Also, in cases where demand was sustained or emerging the first press run was maintained over an extended release period; in other cases the first press run was specific. Generally the lower the numbers in the matrices and stamper codes on the vinyl ‘run off’ areas, on both sides of a record, the earlier the pressing therefore ‘A1’ & ‘B1’ are most often first or early pressings, but there are variants and exceptions to the rule. The most notable ones, for example where the ‘1’ matrix was only used for test, promo or industry pressings so the commercial releases started at ‘2’ or even higher, and there are a few more observations which are worth noting. There are low numbered matrices which belong to second and even third pressings (in these cases the record companies gave similar numbers to the first press of a re-issue) you can normally identify these by, examining the labels which are often different in texture and/or design, and by checking the weight of the record as the earlier pressings were normally heavier. Sometimes different symbols were used in the matrices; these may indicate an earlier pressing, a contract pressing or just simply a change of format. For example some records have A?1 & B?1 others A // 1 & B // 1 others A-1 & B-1 and so on. In these cases the mother and stamper references can help with establishing the proximity of an individual record to the original recording – each different record company had their own coding system, some using letters from words to indicate numbers, others just using numbers. Better known examples include GRAMOPHLTD & BUCKINGHAM – used by EMI and DECCA respectively. Occasionally there are high numbers on first pressings, but this is unusual. Other points to note are the manufacturer of the ‘cover’ or ‘outer sleeve’ and various characteristics or design variants. The ‘inner sleeve’ or ‘bag’ can also be an indicator. However it is not wise to rely on details beyond the matrices and labels as the covers and sleeves can easily be interchanged. ‘Made Up’, Swapped’ or ‘Doctored’ sets are not uncommon, particularly with high value albums which have inserts and special text, so the best advice is to try and make sure that everything matches the criteria thus eliminating most of the risk (a good look at the photographs on the listing, if they are of the actual item offered as they are on all of my listings, is always advisable – hopefully the sellers will also include the ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ photograph facility which only costs pennies to include and it remains a mystery to me as to why many avoid this service?). As a general rule I suggest that you don’t pay hundred’s or thousands of pounds unless you are buying from a reliable source who provide you with comprehensive information and have a clearly stated ‘Returns Policy’ - or unless you’ve got money to throw away (and in that case there are any number of far more deserving charities).

Audio reproduction on vinyl: In my experience there is always an element of surface or background sound with audio reproduction on vinyl, even when new - very hard to imagine how there could not be when two solid surfaces come into contact with each other and are then amplified! In my opinion anybody who claims there is no surface sound, or ‘silence’, is hard of hearing, has not turned the amplifier on, or is using very poor quality audio equipment. Almost all used vinyl has at least light surface scratches which are always visible when viewed under a bright halogen light - which is what I use for inspection. So if you are uncomfortable with a bit of light crackling it’s probably best not to buy vinyl. In my opinion the light surface sound is more than compensated for by the clarity and ‘reality’ of the overall sound reproduction. I listen carefully to every album I list, before listing it for sale.

Please Note: All of the comment contained in this listing is subjective, it is based only on my opinion and your expectations may not necessarily correspond with my standards. If you receive an album from me and you have some differences please remember to use reasonable communication as a first option. I have a comprehensive non confrontational ‘Returns Policy’ which is clearly set out below and providing there is no abuse, or use the negative feedback system, I will always reimburse you in full for your direct costs if you return the album correctly.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

DESCRIPTIONS: Are given in good faith, but they are based on my opinion and standards. Bidders should note that they offer at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information about the item before they enter the bidding process. Please ask questions before you become involved with the auction, NOT afterwards! Where I list sizes/dimensions they are either as stated on the item/label by the supplier/manufacturer or reasonably accurately hand tape measured; however, they are not necessarily precise, should be taken as approximate and not relied upon where absolute precision is required. This clause does not in any way affect your rights under the terms of my ‘Returns Policy’, it is stated to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to both parties.

INFORMATION: Whilst I take care to try and provide accurate information on the original listing it is possible that new information may become available to me afterwards. I therefore strongly recommend that all bidders read any revisions and the ongoing questions / answers section of the listing before bidding as they may contain updated information which could affect your valuation of the item(s). In the event that new information is published, after the time you have become the high bidder, which adversely affects your valuation of the item(s) and you wish to withdraw from the bidding process please email your request and I will use the cancel bid option with no ongoing liability to any of the parties involved in the auction.

PHOTOGRAPHS: All photographs contained within this listing show the actual item (s) offered – they are not catalogue, archive or library photographs. Furthermore they are direct images and not re-touched or modified in any way. I try to make good and comprehensive use of images on the listing in order to give the prospective bidder the best opportunity to evaluate the item(s); however it is possible that in some circumstances the photographs can enhance the appearance of the item(s) due to compression so please take this into account before bidding and do not hesitate to ask for more images or information which I am happy to send by attachment to email. This is particularly recommended with overseas buyers where returns are often not a viable option.

OVERSEAS BUYERS WELCOME: I am pleased to deal with buyers from anywhere in the world. My method of LP packaging reduces the risk to your valuable vinyls & covers in transit. Makes no sense to me to buy something important and then play a ‘high risk of damage game’ when having it shipped around the world – I hope you feel the same. I will only dispatch using a fully insured and Signed-for delivery service.

PACKING & POSTAGE: Vinyl’s are removed from covers and placed in separate transit sleeves. All components are then placed side by side in a polythene inner for extra safety and water resistance and then secured between two corrugated card stiffeners. I use Heavy Duty Mailers Specifically Designed for Vinyl Albums, which provide excellent security and protection, in conjunction with my own Ultra Safe reinforced sealing and packaging method. Internally I use 2 of the highest grade ‘B’ flute corrugated card stiffeners to prevent bending, deformation or edge/corner creasing. Packing & postage prices are NOT negotiable on items dispatched individually or separately. However, if you are a similar time multiple buyer where all items purchased are being sent to the same address and they can be combined safely, you can ask for a discounted quotation before bidding. I will only dispatch using a fully insured and Signed-for delivery service.

Postal insurance is subject to Royal Mail Standard Terms & Conditions. Quotations for other insurance such as premiums to cover non-standard risks or consequential losses are available on request.

PAYMENT: For Buyers WITHIN the UK: PayPal, or Pound sterling cheques / money orders, with minimum 7 days to clear before despatch.

PAYMENT: For Buyers OUTSIDE of the UK: Payments by PayPal only please.

CANCELLATION: The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid, entirely at his discretion and without giving prior notice, in the following circumstances:

They have reason to believe that the bidder has not complied with the terms of their offer as set out on the listing.

The bidder’s feedback is of such limited quantity that it cannot be regarded as reliable.

The bidder’s feedback is of dubious quality and/or gives the seller any indication or reason to doubt the credibility of the bid.

MY FEEDBACK POLICY: I leave feedback for buyers after they inform me that they have received the item(s) and have left me their feedback. As I have a clearly stated Returns Policy, which does not expose the buyer to any direct loss whatsoever, I see no reason for either side to indulge in negative feedback. Providing the buyer does not engage in threats, abuse or use of negative feedback I will resolve any problem in a fair and reasonable way. If you have a problem or complaint about any transaction you have made with me contact me on somemightsell_e@btinternet.com and we will find a solution that is acceptable to you.

SUPERSIZED PHOTOGRAPHS: I have super-sized the photographs above to provide prospective bidders with the best opportunity to make their valuation before entering the bidding process, please just click on the ‘Zoom or Enlarge’ and arrows to use this facility. Sometimes due to reflection these images can appear slightly distorted, ‘graining’ can appear and dust particles can be exaggerated by the light - in reality there are no defects of this kind.