PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE SUPERB 1975 UK 1st PRESS A-1/B-3 C/W 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. It comes complete with the original thick card die-cut picture/lyric inner sleeve, the serrated edged postcard and the robot handshake sticker off the black shrink-wrap. [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 a single minor crease on the back cover near the spine. The front and back covers are unmarked with only minimal age discoloration. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. 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 evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playbak. The Harvest picture labels are unmarked with just a few short spindle traces near the centres and a few faint spots from long-term storage. 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. There are no loud pops, repeat ticks, distortion or anything else. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect.

The die-cut picture/lyric inner sleeve has a short 2.5cm split to the middle of the bottom edge and some minor age discoloration, but is otherwise in great shape.

The serrated-edged postcard is in unmarked EX+ condition.

Also included is the original circular robot handshake sticker which was cut out from the black shrink-wrap.

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