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

This original first pressing from 1994 plays with superb audio for the vast majority but with a little interference mainly on some of the intros.  This is all detailed in the comprehensive grading below.  1990s vinyl was generally not of the highest standard due to declining sales and I can't imagine there are many first pressings out there that are genuinely Near Mint from start to finish!  So much of this one is of a 'high end' standard but yes there is some 'background'.

The iconic gatefold is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear and the lyric inner is near perfect.

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

The audio on S1 is Near Mint- (Mint- in many sections / track 1 VG+ / first half of T5 Ex+) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint- (Mint- in many sections / T1 intro G+ / T2 & T3 intros VG)

The gatefold is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition with an impressive glossy sheen and has no scratches or marking at all.  Under a strong light I can only detect a small number of mega faint hairlines on each side.  There is no spindle wear on S1 and not too much on S2 so this record has certainly not been over-played.  The run out grooves are super clean and the labels are also in beautiful condition.

Play grading  

As per any version of this first pressing 'Cluster One' has some crackle on the intro but the music still plays very clearly and there are no clicks or pops.  After about one minute it has decreased but there is still some static in the 'background' and continues in a similar fashion. This instrumental is VG+ but there are sections, especially on the final third, that are better than that. 

'What Do You Want From Me' has barely any static on the intro and then plays with wonderful quality.  It would be difficult to find a more 'complete' version as the playback is just stunning.  The definition and power is so impressive and I am confident in grading this as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher, just a minimal amount of static on the fade out.

'Poles Apart' in the main is of a very similar standard.  Some light static on the intro and some very light static during the quieter mid section but there are no clicks or pops.  Again the depth of the audio is superb and there is no distortion at all.  The fade out is superb here with no obvious static.

'Marooned' has only the lightest of static on the intro which is totally non-intrusive.  A little more just as the guitar comes in but definitely not loud.  From then on the audio plays with great clarity and particularly when the volume increases.  The audio is strong here and the playback is 'as new'.  This is Near Mint- as per the previous track and the fade out is perfect.

'A Great Day For Freedom' again has a little static on the intro and one click after 25 seconds the first one on the album!  Thereafter it plays very clearly with only minimal background static.  The first half is excellent but the second half is absolutely stunning!

'Wearing The Inside Out' plays with wonderful clarity from the very first note.  There is barely any static and each note can be heard with perfect precision.  As Wright's vocal begins the playback is superb.  There is a touch of light static but in no way is it intrusive and it continues in much the same way.  It really is a very impressive version and there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen plus the fade out is also super clean.  A fabulous way to end the side :-)

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As per S1 the opening grooves on S2 are by no means perfect.  'Take It Back' has a little crackle and 6 or 7 clicks on the intro which is a shame.  Late 80s / early 90s vinyls so often seems to suffer from this.  As soon as the vocal begins the audio has no such problem and the playback is very strong indeed.  The mid instrumental section has only a couple of static ticks and then plays with spectacular audio, no 'background' of any kind.  The final vocal is of the same sublime standard and there is only a little crackle on the end section.

'Coming Back To Life' has some light crackle on the intro but the music can still be heard perfectly well.  As the vocal comes there are a few light static ticks but these are non-intrusive in my opinion.  As the percussion begins the playback is 100% stunning and could hardly be any better.  A little static on the fade out that is all.

'Keep Talking' again has a little crackle on the intro but this soon decreases and the audio is then nigh on perfect.  The 'Hawking' vocal is crystal clear and the audio from that point on the audio is mind-blowing!  It is 'as new' and the depth and power is faultless, wow!  This really is a fantastic version and even the fade out is very clean. The intro may only be VG but the remainder is Mint without question.

The quiet intro on 'Lost For Words' is very impressive with barely any static and the remainder also plays with incredible depth and precision and the only negative is a couple of light clicks.  I am still happy to grade as Near Mint- as the rest is just so damn good!

The 'bells' intro on the classic 'High Hopes' is superb and has hardly any background static.  It then plays with sublime clarity and is a fantastic example of what should have been their final track!  This is the one track you want to play well and it does not disappoint!  You can turn it up to loud without fear of distortion and has to be one of the 'cleanest' most powerful versions I have ever heard.  Even during the relatively quiet 'bells' / piano mid section there is no interference and this 'high end' standard continues to the very end.  The end solo is so strong and again there is no distortion. The fade out is also very near perfect with next to no static.  What a version!  I am happy to grade it as Near Mint and is almost Mint- if I'm honest.  A superb finale.

In summary this genuine first plays with great clarity and definition for the majority but as described above there is some interference here and there.  This is mainly on some of the intros so the 'bulk' of each track has exceptional audio.  I think this is just how 90s vinyl was produced - 'quality control' was not that advanced!  So you cannot escape some 'background' in my opinion and I very much doubt any first pressing of this album is Mint even one that is sealed!  As my regular customers know I'm not a seller who grades as Near Mint just because visually it is stunning.  I listen to every second of every record so as to provide a complete and honest grading.

The Gatefold

This cover is in excellent condition with only very minor shelf wear.  In fact the only 'real' wear is on the top edges where there are two obvious rub marks.  Apart from that the top edge of the front cover has no other wear and the top edge of the back has only a little more.  The bottom edges are in great shape with only a couple of tiny rubs.  The wide spine is superb with barely any corner wear and the other corners are also extremely clean with hardly any rubbing.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover has only a couple of faint scratch lines that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle and also a couple of very minor creases near the top edge.  The back cover is in great shape with no wear and the inside is pristine.  The colours remain strong and vibrant throughout and overall is a fine example of this iconic cover.

The Lyric Inner

The lyric inner is in near perfect condition with only a couple of mega tiny creases by the thumb notch area.

The Labels

The colours here are also still vivid and there is no marking or writing.  Just a little spindle wear on the S2 label.

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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