PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE 1975 UK 1st PRESS A-1/B-3 C/W SHRINK & POSTCARD

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of Pink Floyd's iconic studio album titled "Wish You Were Here", Catalogue Number SHVL 814. It's a 1975 UK stereo first pressing on the Harvest record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. matt-finish single sleeve which comes with its original black stickered shrink wrap. It comes complete with the original thick card die-cut picture/lyric inner sleeve and the serrated edged postcard. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design with crimped spine ends. The picture/lyric inner sleeve is made from thick card and has 3 cropped corners. The record matrix numbers are the earliest SHVL 814 A-1 and SHVL 814 B-3. The Side 1 record label credits "Waters-Gilmore-Wright" for Part 5, unlike later issues which just credit "Waters"].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just very light signs of wear and no creases of any significance. The front and back covers are unmarked apart from a few age discolouration marks (foxing) near the opening edges. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. The original black shrink wrap with the robot handshake sticker attached is present and correct. It has however shrunk with age as it has been stored alongside the sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record retains its original lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in EX condition with just a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks and a single hairline on Side 1. These are only superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Harvest picture labels are like new with no obvious spindle traces. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and an absolute minimum of unwanted noise. The sound quality is very powerful and dynamic with lots of wonderful sound effects. I went through lots of first issue copies before finding this one several years ago. It is well documented that many of the EMI first pressings of WYWH suffer from high levels of residual surface sound which can so easily spoil the listening experience. This one doesn't. It really is a very clean-playing copy indeed.

The die-cut picture/lyric inner sleeve has a few age discolouration marks (foxing) and a short split to the middle of the bottom edge.

The serrated-edged postcard is in unmarked MINT- condition.

Overall this is a superb and complete 1st press copy of arguably Pink Floyd's most accomplished album 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 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 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 - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50