Animals A2/B2 (1st Press)

This genuine first press plays with immaculate audio and is one of the earlier first pressings as it has only two stampers on each side beginning with 'G' the very first one.

SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 3U // GH 3 / GA 3

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint- (The intro on 'Sheep' is Near Mint)

The cover is Ex

The lyric sleeve is Ex

The labels are Mint

This is one practically as new A2/B2 first pressing!  I suspect this has only been played once and then perhaps not even all the way through judging by the fantastic audio and the distinct lack of spindle wear.  This vinyl is so clean!  I was looking very hard and all I could detect was one barely visible tiny, mega tiny (!) spindle trace on each label.  I could also only find a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side and this honestly gleams as any new vinyl would.  It is in pristine, immaculate condition and I am not sure if I have ever seen a more impressive looking first press.  It has a lovely sheen and the run out grooves are also super clean with no marking.

Play grading  

'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' provides a stunning start to this first pressing and plays with immaculate audio all the way through and not a hint of interference.  10/10!  The intro on 'Dogs' is 'as new' and I have not heard clarity such as this for a long time.  It then proceeds to play in exactly the same way with breathtaking depth and separation.  When I say separation I mean you can hear every instrument in the mix just so clearly, there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever.  My earlier suggestion that this vinyl has only been played the once may indeed be true and I think I heard things that I have never heard before!  The quiet sections play with incredible clarity and there isn't any 'background' to speak of.  The long instrumental mid section is Mint there is no other way to describe it.  This is audio of the highest standard and this is so rare to find on an A2/B2 press.  It has the wow factor!  The louder end section always plays with some distortion on the top end, as any Floyd aficionado knows, and whilst there is a little here it does not intrude on the quality of the listen.

'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' begins very impressively with a couple of mega light dust ticks only, not anything you would deem as interference.  It's what you find on new vinyl let alone one that is over 40 years old!  This track again offers sensational audio and again the clarity is stunning.  A handful of barely audible dust ticks again that are hardly worth a mention and in all honesty this is the 'cleanest' version of this track I have heard in many a year.  Not one single click or pop.  This sublime audio continues and I am just amazed at the quality I am hearing!  The solo guitar bringing the track to a close plays 'as new' with no distortion and no 'background' on the fade out.  Wow again!  The extremely quiet 'Sheep' intro plays incredibly well with only the odd mega light static sound here and there, nothing intrusive, and it still grades as Near Mint in my opinion.  Once the vocal begins the audio is first class and this is case for the remainder of the track.  A handful of negligible dust ticks again but the warmth and clarity of the sound is astounding.  The louder end section is very impressive, a little distortion again as always but is nonetheless a superb finish to another high grade track.  No 'background' on the extended fade out again.  'Pigs on The Wing P2' ends this album with perfect audio and no interference which is a rarity on this super quiet end track.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive first pressing for certain.  It is definitely up there with the best I have heard.  The clarity and depth is phenomenal and for there not to be one loud click or pop is a rarity.  Many would grade this as Mint on both sides but I grade honestly and with integrity and listen to every second so as to provide a comprehensive description.  I don't just grade as Mint or Mint- as many sellers do I provide an in depth analysis which the buyer deserves when they are spending their hard earned money :-)

The Gatefold

The G & L gatefold is generally in excellent condition but with a little shelf wear.  There is a little rubbing on the top edges although hardly any on the bottom ones and some rub marks on the left side of the front cover next to the spine.  The wide spine itself is very clean indeed and remains 100& legible.  The remainder of the front cover is in excellent shape with only a little fading near the top edge.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The inside of the gatefold is very clean with only light spotting which is common on the predominantly black background.  The back cover again is very clean overall with one tiny white mark near the foot and a little ringwear at the top.  Not perfect but still cleaner than many you see today.

Lyric sleeve

This has the rounded corners as per the first/early pressings and amazingly has no splits!  There is a tiny area of rubbing on the bottom edge but it is not a split.  It remains very clean with only a couple of minor creases but there is some rubbing around the edges and one very small 'nick' on the top edge.

The labels

These are in perfect condition with no marking/writing and only one mega small spindle trace on each side.

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 - 2U / B - 3U // GH 3 / GA 3

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 £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

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