PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE A1/B3 1st PRESS / SHRINKWRAP/POSTCARD EX+/NM AUDIO
£
158
$
209
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Description
Wish You Were Here A-1 / B-3 + Shrinkwrap & Postcard
This very first pressing is in wonderful overall condition and as can be seen the cover for the majority is still contained within its original black shrinkwrap to which the handshake sticker is still attached. It also contains the original postcard.
Interestingly Side One only has one stamper, H. On pinkfloydarchives.com there are none listed with single stampers making this vinyl something of a rarity and obviously one of the earliest of first pressings manufactured.
SHVL 814 // A - 1 / B - 3 // H 2 & PL 1
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)
The audio on Side Two is Ex+ (Near Mint in some sections)
The cover is Near Mint-
The lyric inner is Near Mint
The labels are Mint
The postcard is Mint-
Visual grading
This vinyl has been hardly played as there is only two faint spindle lines on S1 and only one on S2. I can only detect a handful of tiny very faint hairlines and there are no scratches at all. Rarely have I seen a better looking A1/B3 press, it is visually stunning. It still has a lovely glossy sheen and it is just so rare to find one like this today.
Play grading
'Shine On...' does begin with a little intermittent static/light crackle but is by no means excessive and in my opinion is not intrusive. It dissipates after about 30 seconds or so and the audio thereafter is so clear and plays with genuine quality and barely any interference. In fact the more I listen to it the more I am struck by the sheer class and power of the audio here. For one of first ever manufactured first pressings the clarity is stunning and plays with Near Mint quality. After the minor interference at the beginning there are only a few light dust ticks and a couple of light clicks on the remainder of the track. 'Welcome To The Machine' again has light static at the start but soon disappears and then plays with a clarity you rarely hear on an A1/B3 pressing. The audio was of the highest quality and played practically as new although there is a little crackle literally at the end.
'Have a Cigar' on Side Two plays with immense quality and no crackle, clicks or pops. Incredible to think this vinyl is 42 years old. 'Wish You Were Here' has minor crackle at the beginning but is only minimal and only in the background. Once the vocals begin the audio is crystal clear and plays with a precision and depth you just don't get on the recent reissues. The bass comes to the fore and there is a warmth to the music that is lacking on so many later pressings. 'Shine On... (Part Two)' again has a little crackle at the start and then plays with great clarity and depth of sound. Nearing the end there is some static per revolution for a couple of minutes but it remains in the background and does not interfere with the quality. The ending plays with sublime quality and is a fantastic end to this classic album. So this side isn't perfect but there are no clicks or pops and the music still plays very clearly. It is what I call soft static, there is definitely no loud crackle.
In summary I am sure many sellers would grade this vinyl as Near Mint but I am honest as my feedback testifies. There are many sections that qualify as Near Mint but I would say there is a little more background static on Side Two but it nevertheless still plays with excellent audio. Rarely seen in this condition with such low stampers.
Cover
The iconic cover as can be seen is largely covered by the original shrinkwrap which also has the handshake sticker still on it. The edges are in near perfect condition with only one minor 'ding' on the bottom edge near the spine. Obviously I won't remove the shrinkwrap but from what I can see the cover underneath is beautifully clean and has no marks. The opening edge looks hardly handled and the two corners have no rubbing at all. So often these covers are stained and have lost their 'whiteness' but not this one! It is rare to find one still in the shrinkwrap that isn't badly ripped so this cover easily grades as Near Mint-. The handshake sticker is also still firmly attached and has no rips or tears.Lyric inner
This has the inner sleeve with the cropped corners as per the first/early pressings and is in near perfect condition. The sides have no splits and there are only a couple of minor creases and a tiny amount of ringwear.
The labels
They are both in stunning condition with no markings and hardly any spindle wear.
Postcard
The postcard with serrated edges is practically perfect accept for one teeny tiny white spot top left. SHVL 814 // A - 1 / B - 3 // H 2 & PL 1
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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