Pink Floyd : The Division Bell A2 / B2 1st Press

This original first pressing from 1994 plays to a fantastic standard with very little 'background'.  The only intrusion really is some static on the first track which is a common feature anyway.  Any collector would be very impressed with the clarity and depth of the audio - the vast majority is stunning.  The vinyl is also visually in perfect condition and perhaps never played.

The iconic gatefold is in superb condition and is practically 'as new'.  The original lyric inner is in excellent shape with no side splits and only a little 'mottling'.

8289841 // A - 2 - 2 - 1 / B - 2 - 1 - 1 // FLOYD - A & FLOYD - B etched on the run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 Ex / T4 Near Mint) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in pristine condition and retains a stunning mirror-like glossy sheen.  It may never have been played before judging by the audio quality and there is also no spindle wear on the labels.  The vinyl has no marking, no scratching and I cannot even detect a single hairline.  This is visually stunning to say the least.

Play grading  

The opening instrumental 'Cluster One' regularly has a fair amount of static/crackle or worse (!) on these first pressings and it is just a matter of how much.  This version does have some static but having played it three times now it has decreased.  The audio comes through very clearly and is a strong Ex with no clicks or pops.

'What Do You Want From Me' is 'as new' from start to finish with no 'background'.  It is stunning and the clarity and depth is just so impressive.  I can confidently grade it as Mint it definitely has the wow factor!

I am pleased to say 'Poles Apart' is of the same exact standard with no sign of any interference.  It plays beautifully throughout even during the 'quieter' instrumental section and Mint is an honest reflection of this superb audio.  The long fade out also plays with perfect precision which gives you a firm idea of the level of clarity here.

The super quiet intro on 'Marooned' quite simply plays 'as new' with no intrusion and it continues in much the same way.  The only minor negative is one light click about 1.5 minutes and apart from that it plays perfectly.  A Near Mint grade is deserved as there is only a half second of interference!

From the end of the previous track into 'A Great Day For Freedom' the clarity is outstanding and there is not even a dust tick.  This really is audio of the highest calibre!  The first verse is faultless and that applies to the remainder of the track.  This is Mint right to the final note.

'Wearing The Inside Out' has a couple of non-intrusive light ticks on the intro and then plays with a deep rich and warm sound that is just so 'clean'.  This is one of the finest versions I have ever heard and I cannot overstate how well it plays!  The sonic quality is as good as when first released 26 years ago and Mint- is deserved.  You can hear the very quiet 'heartbeat' fade out so clearly.

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'Take It Back' has only minimal static on the intro and as the percussion comes in soon followed by the vocal the audio is sublime.  There is no interference and the mid instrumental section is nigh on perfect with only a couple of very quiet ticks.  There is a little static after the final vocal and on the fade out but again no clicks or pops.  This is Near Mint-

The acoustic intro on 'Coming Back To Life' plays with great clarity and only minimal intermittent static, nothing intrusive.  As the vocal begins the playback is so strong and the audio, especially when the percussion kicks in, is absolutely fantastic!  To the end it plays faultlessly and overall is a stunning Near Mint version.

The intro on 'Keep Talking' has only a couple of insignificant dust ticks and from then on the audio is stunning with a capital S!  The clarity and definition is 'as new' there is no other way to describe it.  Wow!  This would impress any avid Floyd collector and Mint is the highest compliment I can give it.  Even the fade out plays with immaculate precision, not one dust tick!

'Lost For Words' also plays with unbelievable clarity on the intro and this standard does not diminish - every second plays with 'crystal clear' audio I have never heard a better version.  Mint in every way.

The classic 'High Hopes' has no obvious static on the intro and the church bells and the 'buzzing bee' can be heard perfectly!  The piano section is again so 'clean' as is the vocal once it begins.  So far no interference at all!  The first half plays beautifully as does the mid instrumental section.  Thereafter it plays extremely well and with only minimal inner groove distortion on the rest of the track.  It cannot be avoided and is a common feature on this album especially with 90s vinyl!  I only mention it to be 'complete' in my grading and it is non-intrusive I have to say.  It still plays with great clarity and no interference.  Gilmour's end solo is nigh on perfect and the fade out is stunning!  There is no static and the 'bells' can again be heard with perfectly.  In a sense this classic should not be marked down because of the minor distortion but I will give it a Near Mint grade just to be cautious.  A fantastic version nonetheless.

In summary this genuine first pressing is one of the finest I have ever seen or heard and the clarity and depth on both sides is so good.  Yes there is some static on the opening track but when isn't this the case?  The majority of this album is 'as new' and as 90s vinyl was not produced to the highest of standards this is very impressive.  It has obviously been hardly played, if at all (no spindle wear!), and the clarity overall is superb.

The Gatefold

This is as close to 'new' that you will find.  It has been so well cared for down the years and for 26 years of age it is in superb condition.  The edges are so close to perfect with only two tiny rubs on the top edges and the wide spine is in beautiful condition.  The corners have no wear and the opening edge is also pristine with no handling wear.  The front cover could not look any better and has no marking or scratching and the back cover is almost as impressive with only a couple of mega small white 'specks' top left.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the colours remain strong and vibrant throughout.  This is a great example of this iconic cover and - they don't get much better than this!

The Lyric Inner

The inner has no side splits or creasing but there is a little mottling on each side which you can see when you hold it at a certain angle.  Further proof that the vinyl has hardly ever been removed from the cover!

The Labels

They have no marking or writing, just some very faint 'mottling' again.  As stated there is no spindle wear to be seen.

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

8289841 // A - 2 - 2 - 1 / B - 2 - 1 - 1 // FLOYD - A & FLOYD - B etched on the run out grooves

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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