Pink Floyd The Division Bell RARE ORIG UK EMI 1994 Gatefold LP + Inner Sleeve VG

	£		54
	$		72

RARE (even in the U.K.) Original U.K. 1994/5 EMI United Kingdom Gatefold Sleeve pressing of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Division Bell’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: EMI United Kingdom EMD 1055 7243 8 28984 1).  The item consists of a gatefold sleeve with the apparently UK-pressed vinyl stored inside a card sleeve.  The matrixes read ‘8289841 A-2-1-1’ (Side One) and ‘8289841 B-2-1-1’ (Side Two) and I therefore conclude that this must be a second pressing.  This would have sold in extraordinarily small quantities in comparison to the equivalent CD issue.  While albums continued to be issued on the vinyl format in the U.K. during the 1990s (unlike much of the rest of the world) they weren’t pressed in massive numbers and were invariably hard to track down even at the time.  I will say that overall I’d grade this copy as being in VG+ condition.  Please be aware that the item probably looks better in the attached images than it is.  This copy has clearly been well-loved which means it has been looked after however, it has seen substantial play (more condition details below).

CONDITION: VG (VINYL) / VG+ (INNER SLEEVE) / VG+ (GATEFOLD SLEEVE): This item has been both graded under an intense light (like all my items) and sections of the record have been play-graded (the first 5-10 minutes of each side).  Upon withdrawing the vinyl from the card inner sleeve there are no glaringly obvious marks but you put this under an intense light and there are an awful lot of fine hairline marks.  These demonstrate that this copy has seen heavy play and they are largely a by-product of the card sleeve and dirt being dragged across and marking the playing surface as the record is withdrawn.  I can’t really see any groove-wear which surprises me.  The play-back is variable.  I’ve played the first 5-10 minutes of each side because this is where most of the marks are focussed upon (as usual).  The needle was picking up quite a bit of background noise during ‘Cluster One’ because the track is ambient in nature but the playback was superior during the heavier vocal tracks because the full sound serves to mask the background noise.  I would expect the play-back to improve as the needle tracks across the playing surface.  The playback is still respectable but I don’t want anyone to be under any illusions.  The inner sleeve probably looks very crisp in the attached images and to a certain extent this is the case.  Again, you can tell that someone did care for this.  However, the vinyl has started to come through on one side and there is encrusted dirt from successive fingerprints which you will likely not be able to remove.  You can see this by angling the sleeve under an intense light.  The very base of the inner sleeve might have got damp at some point but this isn’t overly obvious.  The same kind of points apply to the gatefold sleeve.  It looks better in the attached images than I would say it is.  There is reasonable wear to each corner.  There is fraying to the opening edge of the sleeve where the vinyl has been withdrawn so much.  The sleeve is very flat and doesn’t really display any creasing.  There are limited impressions in the soft cardboard.  There is nothing else to say really.  A well-loved and well-used copy of a well rare Pink Floyd LP.  Please read the above description carefully before bidding.  I may be thorough and comprehensive with my description but it is also honest.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.