Pink floyd dark side of the moon UK 1st press LP. A2/B2

	£		265
	$		351

Welcome to my vinyl record auction for:

Pink floyd dark side of the moon UK 1st press gatefold LP. A2/B2

Catalogue number: SHVL 804

Label: Harvest, Solid blue triangle

Year: 1973

Matrix numbers: A2/B2

Pressing: UK, 1st

Cover: Original 1st issue gatefold

Additional info:

The following is a guide to identifying all the elements that make up the the rare and much sought after first pressing of this iconic album:

1. The label has a solid blue prism. Subsequent pressings have a blue glowing inner edge prism with the centre black.
2. 'The Gramophone Co.' text is centred on label above prism.
3. A2/B2 matrix in dead wax of run out groove.
4. Thick heavyweight vinyl believed by some to be the finest and most true encapsulation of this historical recording as the first pressing was pressed direct from the original master plate. "These 1st pressings were straight from the masters and nothing even gets close to them today. They play with a deep clear warm clarity and have to be heard to be believed!".
5. There is a distinct bluish tinge in the first issue cover. All subsequent versions of the cover are jet black
6. Gatefold sleeve is 'folded in' and factory sealed at one end. To identify the original the cover must have the 'folded in' flap and not just be two sides glued together
7. Inner sleeve is a distinctive polythene lined die cut black semi matt paper with white printed text stating 2 patent numbers bottom left 112555/1072844 and 'made in great Britain’ bottom right.

Condition (1-5) Vinyl / Cover / Inner = 4.00/3.50/4.00 *See super detailed photos at bottom of page to judge cover condition for yourself*

The vinyl is in great shape - has a few super light marks when tilted in strong light. In normal light looks pretty much unmarked – just a single small mark on one track is slightly more visible and can still be spotted if you look closely for it but it is still totally superficial. Retains a nice dark gloss and does not look to have had a lot of play.  Audio - there is no deterioration to the sound quality when played tested at a decent volume. I have listened to many original vinyl pressings from this period and while the quality of the sound itself is often superb, the downside is that they very often play with quite a lot of jumping, crackle, clicking and popping – even copies that visually look absolutely perfect / mint (be very careful when spending mega money on ‘mint’ copies that have only been visually assessed – you just don’t know until you play them!) This copy is a nice example and plays very well. There are no skips or repeats whatsoever and just a solitary single pop at the start of the first track. Has a little of the usual background crackle but in this case it is light, never rises above a background level to spoil the listening experience, and is only really noticeable between some tracks and in some quiet  sections – mainly just the quiet intros to the last two tracks. (has only had a quick wipe over only so could possibly improve ever further for a good clean) I am maybe being a little over critical due to value. After all it’s not supposed to sound like a CD and I found it to be a very enjoyable listen. The quality of the sound itself is amazing. It has a lovely deep, rich, warm sound that only comes from these original thick slabs of vinyl pressed directly from the original master plate. If you have never listened to an original pressing then it’s highly recommended! Cover – Is the super rare original first issue version (see additional info above for how to identify – be careful to understand how to identify this as the original covers are super prone to wear and often get replaced by better looking later versions). Condition - On the negative side is showing some general wear including some of the usual surface rubbing and a bit of wear to the corner tips.  On the positive side, there is no major damage – no rips, no folds, no seam splits, no writing, and the spine is in good order. Also, the inside of the gatefold is in very nice shape with little sign of wear. I have not given the cover a high grading due to value but it is in fact a decent example in comparison to others as the original matt finish is super prone to wear. They almost always turn up with noticeable surface rubbing and in this case I would say the rubbing is much lighter than on the average example with the front and inner gatefold being in good shape. The rubbing at its most noticeable is restricted to the back of the cover only. Even here, it is only relatively light surface rubbing (rather than the super heavy ringwear  moulded to the shape of the vinyl which is seen on many copies)  Inner sleeve  - has the original poly lined black inner sleeve which is in nice shape with just some light creasing. Fully in tact with no major wear or damage. Posters and stickers: has a full set of 2 posters and 2 stickers. I’m not entirely convinced they are they are the ones that  came with this copy but they are in fantastic condition – the stickers are lovely crisp examples with no wear or damage and the posters are also in great condition with neither looking as if it has ever been taken out and  actually hung as a poster. Labels have a few of the usual light spindle marks around the hole but only really visible when tilted to catch the light and restricted to just around the hole. Otherwise nice labels with no damage or discolouration (see photos)

Nice copy of this iconic 1st press album. Extremely rare and sought after vinyl.

Please note the following before bidding:

Grading:

 I will be grading critically to avoid disappointment. (scale at bottom of page) In my experience there is no such thing as a used record that has no marking at all, if you choose to look closely enough!  Hence nothing will be described as mint.

Other stuff:

* Record has been assessed visually. I’ve been in contact with e-bayers who have already bought. They are very pleased with condition compared to what they expected from the grading and report excellent sound quality even from records listed as having heavier damage.

*Buy with confidence. I’m happy to offer a no argument refund should unexpected problems arise on playing or I’ve missed something in the description / grading (refund less postage on return of item within 7 days).

* My aim is 100% customer satisfaction and I will do whatever I can to resolve any issues to your satisfaction (see my positive feedback and high ratings)

*Records have had a quick wipe only - will benefit from a good clean before playing.

Postage:

UK.                 £3 (add £1 for each additional item)

Europe            £4 (add £1.50 for each additional item)

World              £6.50 (add £ 3.00 for each additional item)

Double LPs are 2 items for postage purposes

*I will not be held responsible for any postal loss or damage. However all items will be sent in heavy duty purpose designed mailers.

*All items sent by standard postal services. Recorded, insured or special delivery available and on request and is recommended for items valued over £41 (maximum compensation from royal mail for loss or damage to standard post) Buyer will need to pay the additional cost.

It’s well worth checking out my other items

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Grading Scale:

Vinyl

5 = Absolute minimal amount of ultra light, totally superficial surface hairlines / marks that are only visible when tilted under strong light. Expect no impact on audio. 4 =   Light surface marks / scratches. Some more visible but all still superficial. May include 1 small slightly heavier mark affecting a single track only. Still expect no or minimal impact on audio. 3 = Some heavier marks / scratches. Expect them to be audible and slightly detract from the overall listening experience. 2 = Heavy scratches / marks. Expect to hear pronounced and distracting clicks or cracks on at least couple of tracks. 1 = Several heavy scratched / marks / other damage. Expect several tracks to be affected and a couple to the extent that they may be considered unlistenable. However should still play through.

Covers

5 = Hardly any wear of any description. Maybe slightest of wear to very tip of a corner or a couple of ultra  light tiny edge creases which you would have to look very closely to see. 4 = Some general light wear and maybe a small area of moderate wear. Includes seam wear (spine still readable), light creasing restricted to edges, slight discolouration (but not damage) from a removed stickers, maybe 1 slightly crumpled corner. 3 = Moderate general wear plus 1 piece of damage such as a rip, seam split, heavily folded corner, major scuff on  front / back, patch of surface removed by sticker or very noticeable ringwear. 2 = Heavy general wear plus one or two pieces of damage. 1 = Several major issues – very tatty.

Inner covers

5 = Hardly any wear of any description. Maybe a couple of small spots of very light discolouration or a super light and small crease. 4 = Discolouration, general light wear, light creasing. 3 = Moderate general wear plus 1 piece of damage such a seam split or heavily folded corner. 2 = Heavy general wear plus one or two pieces of damage. 1 = Several major issues – very tatty. Not graded = bog standard blank inner sleeve.