The Madcap Laughs A - 2G / B - 2G (No EMI logo)

This very collectable and rare first pressing plays with superb 'high end' audio and of course has no EMI logo on the labels.  With only one stamper on each side this is one of the earliest first pressings.

SHVL 765 // A - 2G / B - 2G // T1 / P1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint- (Mint- in many sections / track 2 Ex+)

The laminated cover is Ex-

The S1 label is VG+ the S2 label is Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

For such a collectable and rare pressing the visual 'look' of this vinyl is very impressive.  It retains a lovely glossy sheen and there are no scratches.  There are some sleeve removal hairlines with one slightly more obvious hairline on S1 but this has no affect on the stunning audio whatsoever.  This is definitely one of the cleanest first pressings of this album I have ever seen...or heard!

Play grading  

'Terrapin' begins S1 without any 'background', the playback is stunning.  There are a couple of faint ticks about 45 seconds in but aside from that the track plays with immaculate precision and without doubt this is one of the most impressive versions of this super quiet track I have ever heard.  There is no static or crackle and certainly no loud clicks or pops.  I am confident in saying this plays practically 'as new' the warmth and depth of the recording is sublime.  This easily grades as Near Mint the audio is of near perfect quality.  'No Good Trying' goes one better and is Mint- with no interference of any kind.  Superlative sound quality for a genuine first pressing.  'Love You' also displays clarity of an impeccable standard and is another superb example of a vinyl that has only been lightly played.  Absolutely stunning!  The remaining tracks do not disappoint and again play with incredible clarity and sonic quality.  The classic and highly covered 'Dark Globe' is an audio delight for such a quiet track!  There are no clicks or pops, basically no interference at all.  The clarity is exceptional and the depth and separation on offer is of a fantastic standard.  'Here I Go' ends the side with wonderful sound quality, a touch of barely audible static although perhaps I am being too critical.  The playback is 'high end' and there is nothing that detracts from the audio.  The music is so clear and this is what I mean when I use the term 'separation'.  There is no muddiness to the sound and each instrument and the vocal is given every chance to shine.  The sound quality is phenomenal.

 'Octopus' on S2 is again of Mint- quality.  You can really tell the difference in production here.  Every track on S1 bar one is produced by Malcolm Jones whereas every track on this side is produced by David Gilmour and Roger Waters except for the final track.  If anything the sound is even clearer and it certainly plays louder and with greater power.  'Golden Hair' has some very light static here and there but it does not interfere with the quality of the listen and for such a quiet track it still plays with great clarity and no clicks or pops.  'Long Gone' is stunning from start to finish with barely any static and again the sonic quality really stands out.  There is no distortion on the top level and whilst I often mention clarity this is how any album should be judged of course.  The clarity here is astonishing and I have never heard better, there is just a hint of crackle literally on the final note.  The following trio of songs beginning with 'She Took A Long Cold Look' all impress with wonderful depth and clarity again and no obvious 'background'.  You can hear the two page turns by Syd on this track very clearly indeed!  There is some static in the two 'silent' sections prior to 'Feel' and 'If It's In You' but they both then play with superb depth and warmth.  There are no clicks or pops.  'Late Night' plays with faultless audio and provides a stunning finale to this classic album.  There is no interference and this is the 'cleanest' version of this track I have heard in a long time and to think this is a rare first pressing!  There is just a little crackle on the fade out which lasts for a couple of seconds maximum.

In summary this rare 'No EMI' logo first pressing is a final upgrade, archive copy without doubt.  It plays so cleanly and with such tremendous sonic quality and warmth.  There is a little more static between tracks on S2 but for an album that is approaching 50 years of age the quality of the audio is hugely impressive.  A couple of soft ticks on the opening track of S1 but aside from that there are no clicks or pops.  The clarity is exceptional throughout and will disappoint any avid collector.

The Gatefold

This gatefold is in excellent condition overall with only superficial shelf wear.  The edges are in superb order with no rubbing although one small area on the top edge of the back cover has just lifted slightly.  The wide spine stands proud and has only a couple of small rubs near the bottom and a small number of faint creases either side which always occurs on laminated gatefolds.  The laminate itself is very clean with no splits and only a couple of creases - one that is a little more noticeable on the top corner of the back cover and a small lift top right of the front cover.  The corners are very clean and have very little wear.  The right hand edges do appear to have had some tape on them at some stage and this has left a residue mark.  The opening edge has no handling wear and this adds weight to the theory that the vinyl has rarely been played.  Aside from that the top edges and spine are very clean with no shelf wear.  The inside of the gatefold in great shape with no marking aside from the tape residue down the edges as already mentioned.  It sounds like I have mentioned a lot of negatives but I just believe in being thorough with my gradings.  It is still a very clean cover with only minor areas of wear in my opinion.  So many are badly damaged but this is not one of them.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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