Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here * SHRINK * NEAR MINT * POSTCARD * UK 1st PRESS

	£		215
	$		285

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
I am pleased to offer for sale this incredible, archival quality copy Pink Floyd's ninth studio album, "Wish You Were Here".

Album Background:
After releasing Dark Side of the Moon in 1973, Pink Floyd set themselves the difficult challenge of producing an album that would equal in its intensity and vision that which went before. Wish You Were Here certainly does that. Speaking about the album, Gilmour said that the band tried hard to "marry the ideas and the vehicles that carried them so that they both had equal magic". The album has two major themes: the bands disillusion with the corporate music industry; and a touching tribute to Syd Barret, whom had left the group 7 years prior due to his deteriorating mental health. As is by divine coincidence, Barret visited the EMI studios during the recording of the nine part "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" - the first time the band had seen him in years. 

Wish You Were Here was sold in one of the more elaborate packages to accompany a Pink Floyd album. Storm Thorgerson had accompanied the band on their 1974 tour and had given serious thought to the meaning of the lyrics, eventually deciding that the songs were, in general, concerned with "unfulfilled presence". This theme of absence was reflected in the ideas produced by his long hours spent brainstorming with the band. Thorgerson had noted that Roxy Music's Country Lifewas sold in an opaque green cellophane sleeve – censoring the cover image – and he copied the idea, concealing the artwork for Wish You Were Here in a black-coloured shrink-wrap, making the album art "absent" by doing so. Incredibly, this album still retains the original, delicate black shrink wrap! 

Album Details:

Serial number: SHVL 814

Matrix number: A1 / B3

Stamper codes: 3 TD / 4 GDM 

Vinyl Weight: 140g

The matrix numbers identify the record as a true UK first pressing. Consequently the audio reproduction is absolutely fantastic. Take a listen yourself below!

The labels are the first variant with Waters-Gilmour-Wright song-writers credit for 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' Side 1 Part 5. This was reduced to Waters on later variants. 

Two sleeves were released simultaneously; one with a spine with pinched ends and one with a straight, uniform spine. This copy is the latter. As with all early copies, the sleeve was housed in a black shrink wrap with a colour sticker on the front. 

Completing the album is the first variant lyric inner sleeve, identifiable by a notch to the top edge and the three die-cut corners. Also included is the first variant postcard with crinkled edges. 

Condition Report:

Please note: the condition report below is provided as a guide only. I include high-quality comprehensive photographs in addition to a full audio recording in order to enable you to make your own informed decision. 

Vinyl: MINT -

Labels: MINT -

The labels are bright and clean. A handful of dull spindle trails are visible around each otherwise unworn centre hole. 

Visual: MINT - 

The record maintains superb deep-gloss playing surfaces which appear blemish free in bright daylight. Underneath the glare of a halogen desk lamp a number of paper hairlines can be seen alongside an iridescent rainbow shine.

Sound Quality: MINT -

Please use the eBay internet site to enjoy the audio files. The eBay app does not facilitate playback.

Side 1:

Side 2:

As can be heard in the audio clips, the heavy-weight vinyl sounds superb. Very little audible intrusion can be heard throughout the entire record. The lead ins are remarkably quiet, as is the dead wax between tracks and at the end of each side. There is great channel separation, the bass is punchy, the vocals are crisp and clear and the instrumentation is well defined. I doubt you will find a better copy than this.

Sleeve: MINT - 

The iconic sleeve looks fantastic. Both sides of the shrink wrap are bright and clean. The original sticker (although stuck upside down) is without discolouration. The corners are sharp and without damage. The spine and all other edges are without wear. A great example.

Inners: EXCELLENT 

The original inner sleeve is in great condition.

Additional Details:

Before the audio test, the vinyl was cleaned first by an Okki Nokki vacuum cleaner (using L'art du Son cleaning solution), then an Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner is performed before a final rinse with distilled water.

After cleaning, the vinyl is housed inside a brand new mobile fidelity audiophile quality, anti-static inner sleeve.

The album will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer.

Please see my other listings for more vinyl rarities.

Bidders with less than ten feedback please get in touch before bidding otherwise your bid will be removed.