Animals A - 1U White Label Test Pressing / G1 Stamper! Mega Rare

This has to be one of the rarest and most collectable Pink Floyd items today!  I have certainly never seen one of these Test Pressings sold before and back in the 70s perhaps only 5 to 10 were produced?  This is also a mega rare one sided Test Pressing as it only plays S1 of the album.  S2 'plays' with a high pitched tone as per all genuine Test Pressings.

There are a number of interesting facts about this.  As any Floyd fan knows the 'Animals' first pressing has a matrix of A2/B2.  This has an A-1U matrix plus a G1 stamper!  Obviously the A-1U matrix numbers were reserved only for the test pressings and of course the G1 stamper is the holy grail for any collector.  There is a stamp on the S2 run off and it reads LPFB 2 and 280 further round to the right.

The 'Important Notice' poly-lined inner has 'SHVL 815 A-1U' written in the top left corner and what is very interesting is that just above that there is a date stamp.  It is very faint but it clearly says -1DEC 1976 and the official release date of 'Animals' was of course Jan 23 1977!  I'm not sure if the photos will show it clearly but believe me, it is there!  The inner itself has some creasing and age related fading and the actual dealer I purchased this Test Pressing from said he nearly threw it away, I'm so glad he didn't!

I will mention that this Test Pressing does not include a cover or lyric inner.  This is standard practice with Test Pressings of course as they were not meant for the retail market.

Depending on the sale price the shipping costs may well vary as it will have to be sent correctly insured. Please wait for the invoice.

SHVL 815 // A - 1U / G1 Stamper / LPFB 2  280

The audio on S1 is Mint- (the intro on 'Dogs' is G+)

The labels are Near Mint

This Test Pressing has barely been played judging by the quality of the audio.  However, there is one small scratch that does affect the intro on 'Dogs' as detailed below.  Apart from that vinyl is visually very impressive with only a small number of hairlines.  Two of them are longer and run across the side but they are faint and have no affect on the stunning audio.  It still has a glossy sheen and there is minimal spindle wear on the S2 label.  Both run out grooves are also beautifully clean.

Play grading  

'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' plays so clearly for a test pressing and is not far off Mint- grading.  The acoustic intro has no 'background' and the remainder plays with wonderful clarity.  There are 3/4 light static sounds in the middle and just a hint of crackle literally at the end.  This is a near perfect start though.

 'Dogs' begins very clearly but after only a few seconds there are a number of clicks due to the small scratch that can be seen.  There are about twenty of them which is unfortunate because thereafter the audio is incredible and plays practically 'as new'.  The clarity and definition of the audio is superb and it is obvious that this test pressing has been hardly played.  Not surprising I guess!  The first three verses play with sublime clarity and I only heard one faint click.  The first quiet section has only a handful of mega static sounds and the guitar solo that follows is absolutely stunning!  It plays as Mint without question.  The long synth section after the 'Dragged down by the stone' line is absolutely astounding!  So often this section plays with some interference but there is none here whatsoever.  Wow!  The remainder of this track is phenomenal also and there is no let up in quality.  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  The end section, as per the standard pressings, has some distortion on the top level but as all Floyd fans know this is always the case.  There is no however, no other 'background'.  Perhaps the test pressings were not listened to carefully enough!

In summary this white label promo Test Pressing plays with stunning audio apart from the intro on 'Dogs'.  That may be incidental any way as the true value of this vinyl is determined by the fact that it is a super rare Test Pressing.  I have never seen one for sale before and of course only a very small number would have been produced.  This is mega rare piece of Pink Floyd history and I will let the auction take its course.  In saying that I would be open to sensible offers...

The White Labels

They are in superb condition with no marking to be seen or fading for that matter.  There is only a minor amount of spindle wear on the S2 label.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 815 // A - 1U / G1 Stamper / LPFB 2  280

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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!