PINK FLOYD Dark Side Of The Moon A3/B3 Early PRESS + POSTERS Superb COVER/AUDIO
  £   196
  $   260

 


£ 196 Sold For
Apr 21, 2024 Sold Date
Apr 11, 2024 Start Date
36   Number Of Bids
  Great Britain Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
save auction  

Description

I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.
Pink Floyd : The Dark Side Of The Moon A-3 / B-3 Very Early Press + Posters & One sticker 1973
This very early pressing plays to a superb standard with only minimal background.  There is just one light click on S1 and some light static here and there on a couple of tracks.  The 'Us And Them' intro is the most obvious but it does not last long.  Aside from that the clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is STUNNING!  There are so many highlights - the opening two tracks, the majority of 'Time', 'Great Gig...', 'Money', 'Brain Damage' and 'Eclipse' all play with incredible audio.  The vinyl is very clean also and has clearly not been overplayed judging by the audio and the minimal spindle wear.
The deep blue cover is in lovely condition with very little shelf wear, one of the best I have seen.  I wouldn't call it the 'midnight blue' version from the A2/B2 first pressings but it definitely is not black like the later versions.  Deep blue sums it perfectly!  The two posters (one glossy / one matt) are super clean and the one sticker is in excellent shape.  The die-cut black inner is also in excellent condition although I'm not sure if it was original to this pressing.
SHVL 804 // A-3 / B-3 // RTL 4 / LP 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint- / T4 intro Ex- / T6 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 & T3 Near Mint / T2 intro Ex- for first few seconds then Ex+)
The gatefold is Ex+
The posters are Mint- and the sticker is Ex+
The inner sleeve is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Looking under a bright light I can only see a few faint sleeve removal hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  The labels are in great order and have only minimal spindle wear.
Play grading
The heartbeat intro on 'Speak To Me' plays with stunning clarity and is practically 'as new'.  There is just a minor touch of very light static right at the start but the rest has no background at all.  What a start!  As it builds there is no drop in quality and Mint- is richly deserved.
The segue into 'Breathe' is perfect and the classic intro has no intrusion aside from 3/4 very quiet statics that hardly warrant a mention.  It plays with that warmth and depth you only find on a clean vinyl.  The opening vocal section is just as impressive and the second verse has no background either.  Another Mint- track.
'On The Run' plays very clearly from the outset.  The opening section has only a handful of background statics but again they are quiet and you really don't notice them.  You can hear each 'note' so well and the further you get into this instrumental the more impressive the audio is.  Again the audio is so rich and deep and there is no interference.  There is one minor static but nothing else and then the 'crash' is faultless.  The 'running man' end section has only the bare minimum of light static and you can easily hear every step and every breath.  Near Mint-
The 'clocks' segue into 'Time' has no background, the playback is perfect, and the metronome section has only minimal light static here and there and there is also one click near the beginning.  The rest of this section plays very clearly with barely any background and then Gilmour's opening vocal is perfect as is Wright's first vocal.  The mid solo is 'as new' and it continues to play with superb clarity and depth through the next vocal section.  A stunning version overall with only minimal interference at the start - I will grade the intro as Ex- and the remainder is Mint-the sonic quality is that good.
'Breathe Reprise' keeps up the good work and plays with sublime quality with only a couple of barely audible statics near the end.  Let's say Mint-  
For once the gentle piano intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' plays beautifully with only a couple of minor statics and the 'spoken' section is just as clean.  Torry's opening vocal is stunning and the high octane section is phenomenal!  The power and definition of the audio here is so strong and there is no distortion on the top end.  The final quieter vocal plays so clearly with no interference, just a couple of mega quiet statics, and then the end piano piece is so clean and precise with just a hint of light static towards the end for a couple of seconds, again it is not intrusive.  This is one of the cleanest versions I have heard in a long time and I will grade as Near Mint just to be a little cautious.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The classic intro on 'Money' plays perfectly and Waters' bass section has only a couple of ultra quiet statics just before the vocal comes in.  Gilmour's opening vocal then plays with sublime clarity and depth with just the one mega quiet static and the second verse is flawless.  The iconic instrumental then plays with superb sonic quality through every section and the power and depth of the audio here is astounding!  I cannot fault it, there is no intrusion at all just pure Mint audio.  There is just one very light tick just prior to the next vocal which then plays so clearly with no interference.  The spoken end section just has a couple of mega light statics - I will grade as Near Mint but 99% is certainly better than that.
The long intro on 'Us And Them' has some static at the beginning but still isn't loud and then decreases as Mason and co come in.  The sax section is so close to perfect and the opening vocal plays very clearly with only a little static on the first line.  The first chorus is superb with great power, depth and clarity and the next 'verse' has hardly any static.  The remainder of this classic plays with real quality and I only 'picked up' a handful of background statics and a couple of minor ticks on the final verse.  I think Ex- is fair for the first few seconds of the intro and then Ex+ from then onwards.  It is still a very strong version with no real interference.   'Any Colour You Like' plays with great depth and warmth and there is barely any intrusion on the audio.  There is just one light tick in the middle section and a couple of minor statics so I will say Near Mint
The segue into 'Brain Damage' has no background and the intro is just as clean.  The opening vocal has no interference, just a touch of barely audible static, and as the volume increases the playback is STUNNING!  The next vocal is equal to that and the end section is superb also.  A Mint- version, it could hardly play any better.  Another classic but aren't they all!
The intro on 'Eclipse' is flawless and the first vocal is breathtaking!  It continues in the same precise way and there is no distortion on the top end.  This is the definitive version as the sonic quality is quite simply out of this world, no pun intended!  The heartbeat ending plays with wonderful clarity and that makes a change, there are only a couple of minor statics.  This is a superb Mint- conclusion to this very impressive A3/B3 pressing.
In summary this very early pressing plays to a very high standard for the vast majority and as usual I have listened to every track in full so you can have full confidence in bidding!  There is just one click in total, not a loud one, and only a little static on a couple of tracks that is just a little more obvious.  However, as you can see I have graded a number of tracks as Mint- and that demonstrates just how clean and precise the audio is across the majority of this classic record.  The cover is also in lovely condition and this will add to any high collection.
The Gatefold, Posters, Sticker & Inner Sleeve
The iconic G & L dark blue cover has been so well preserved and has only minimal shelf wear, nothing obvious.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is super clean with hardly any wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are also in great shape with only light wear.  The right hand edge and the opening edge have only minimal rubbing and the front cover is so clean with barely any of the fading / spotting that you so often see, it just has one small speck on it.  The original sticker is untouched and 'as new'   The back cover is very impressive with only the bare minimum of fading and you only notice it when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  The inside of the gatefold is in fantastic condition also with no marking.  A stunning example and definitely one of the best 'early' covers I have seen.
The poster are in superb condition although the pyramid one is glossy and the band one is matt textured.  The Crack Back sticker is unmarked and has just one faint crease running down one side.
The black poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only a little creasing.
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SHVL 804 // A-3 / B-3 // RTL 4 / LP 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.


Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end


Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!

One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!









 

 

 

 


price rating