PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON A2/B2 1st PRESS SOLID BLUE (Complete) SUPERB
  £   1,558
  $   1,860

 


£ 1558 Sold For
Sep 11, 2022 Sold Date
Sep 1, 2022 Start Date
31   Number Of Bids
  Great Britain Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
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Description

I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
Pink Floyd : The Dark Side Of The Moon A2/B2 1st Press + Posters & Stickers
This is easily the finest Dark Side Of The Moon that I have ever listened to!  Based on the audio and the very minimal spindle wear this classic and very collectable first pressing has only been lightly played over the years.  It has been so well preserved and is visually so impressive also.  The sonic quality is exceptional and there is no actual interference on either side.  All of the quieter sections including the 'Speak To Me' intro play with incredible clarity and the louder passages plays with sublime depth and power.  This is quite possibly the first FINAL UPGRADE first press that I have ever sold i.e. it would be virtually impossible to find better audio!  I cannot emphasise enough just how well this iconic record plays and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  This is one reason why the first pressings are so collectable - when you find a super clean vinyl like this the warmth and depth of the audio is a vast improvement on any later pressing.  It truly is a STUNNING example, every track is a highlight!  It is also worth pointing out that there is no distortion on either side.  What a find!
The iconic 'midnight blue' cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and is one of the cleanest I have seen in many a year.  It comes complete with the original posters and the two stickers one of which may be a replacement I'm not entirely sure.
SHVL 804 // A-2 / B-2 // GAP 5 / GDO 3
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T6 'Great Gig' ranges between Near Mint and Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 'heartbeat' ending is Near Mint)
The 'midnight blue' gatefold is a very strong Ex
The posters are Mint- / Near Mint and the stickers Mint-
The solid blue labels are Mint-
The original black inner is Ex
Visual grading
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and under a strong light I can only find a small number of superficial faint hairlines.  A couple of small ones on S2 that are just a little more visible but they are still very faint.  Looking under another light the vinyl is pristine!  It really is a stunning example.  There is no groove wear or fading/bag rash and the run out grooves are also very clean.  The iconic solid blue labels are in superb condition with no marking and only very minimal spindle wear.  As stated this vinyl has only been very lightly played down the years - a beautifully preserved copy for sure.
Play grading
The 'heartbeat' intro on 'Speak To Me' is, in a word, stunning.  It plays so clearly and each 'beat' really reverberates with incredible depth.  This is the first indication of the the wonderful clarity that is prevalent throughout this entire this album.  This introduction plays with sublime clarity with no clicks or pops and incredibly no static either, I just heard one light static tick that is all.  As it builds the sonic quality is still there and it has to grade as Mint- I honestly do not think I have heard a better start to this very classic album.
The segue into 'Breathe' is perfect and the opening instrumental section is just as impressive with a clarity and depth that is second to none.  The two verses then play with impeccable quality and 'as new' is a correct description - I cannot emphasise enough just how unbelievably strong and clear the audio is.  The depth of the audio is just like nothing I have heard before!  This is audio of the highest standard and it has to grade as Mint the playback is STUNNING!
'On The Run' continues this fine form and plays with a warmth and depth that is out of this world!  There is no interference and the 'sound' just resonates around the room with stunning precision.  Each and every note is 'crystal clear' and when I say it plays like it has never been played before I mean it!  Already I am finding it difficult not to repeat myself - the sheer quality of the audio is breathtaking and the end 'crash' is a prime example of that - it is so powerful with no distortion and the 'running man' section that follows is 'as new' clean with no background of any kind.  I just cannot believe what I am listening to here - from the first note to the last there are no ticks or clicks etc and this is Mint and then some!
The gentle tick tock intro on 'Time' is perfect and then the chimes are loud and true with no distortion.  The metronome / instrumental section then plays with stunning precision and next to no static i.e. barely any.  The opening two verses play with impeccable quality and Gilmour's iconic solo has no interference, the playback is so strong and dynamic.  The final two verses again play with sublime clarity and warmth and this classic easily grades as Mint- it really could not play any better.
'Breathe Reprise' has that 'as new' quality of a recently bought record and plays with perfect clarity throughout.  Mint
The quiet piano intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' has to be heard to be believed!  There is no 'background' other than a couple of barely audible dust ticks and the 'spoken' section is equally as good.  The first 'vocal' plays with incredible power and range and there is no distortion on the top end.  The 'high octane' section is just STUNNING and the 'quieter' final section then plays with outstanding clarity and no intrusion on the audio.  A handful of mega light dust ticks which hardly need a mention but as I often say I like to be 'complete' with my grading.  This is quite possibly the finest version of this classic I have ever heard - the sonic quality does not drop from start to finish and it has a clarity of sound that is so impressive.  No ticks, clicks or pops and no obvious static whatsoever - even the very quiet end section plays beautifully and the long final note / fade out has no 'background' either.  I will grade as ranging between Near Mint and Mint but infinitely more of the latter!  I honestly do not think I have heard a 'cleaner' more impressive version, certainly not on an A2/B2 first press!
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'Money' plays with perfect clarity from the very first groove and the opening classic bass riff is just as 'clean'.  The first two verses have no interference and the iconic instrumental section then plays with phenomenal clarity and definition.  There just are no negatives - each section plays with great power and with no intrusion whatsoever.  It is worth pointing out that again there is no distortion, the playback is so sharp and precise.  The final verse and 'spoken' end section/fade out have no 'background' and again Mint is a fair representation of the audio.
The 'handover' to 'Us And Them' has no intrusion and the intro then plays with a clarity you so rarely find today on any pressing let alone a genuine first press.  It regularly plays with static and yet it is so 'clean' here with literally no 'background', just a couple of dust ticks.  I just cannot believe what I am hearing...again!  The first verse plays with sublime clarity and the chorus is just as strong.  It continues to play with imperious quality - each vocal and instrumental section have that 'sound' of a barely played record and the depth of the music is so impressive.  The 'high octane' section near the end plays with tremendous power and depth and the final verse is so 'clean' with only a couple of dust ticks.  The end chorus is perfect and in my opinion this is the definitive version.  I will say Mint- although even that may be a little harsh!
'Any Colour You Like' plays with wonderful quality from start to finish with...no interference.  It has that by now familiar clarity, depth and power that we have come to expect and Mint is again deserved.
The intro on 'Brain Damage' is 'as new' and that quality continues into the first verse and the second etc!  The first chorus is just so strong and deep and this sonic quality is kept up throughout.  Quite clearly by now it is difficult to be original in my descriptions but needless to say this is Mint from start to finish.  By this point you will often have some distortion but not here and the playback is as 'clean' as it would have been nearly 50 years ago!
The segue into 'Eclipse' is superb and from then on it plays with exceptional power and definition.  The power of the audio is breathtaking and to my ears there is no obvious inner groove distortion at all.  The very quiet 'heartbeat' ending is close to perfect with only a couple of light ticks.  One of the best endings I have heard in a long time, each 'beat' is still very strong and deep.  So the vast majority is Mint- but will grade the 'heartbeat' conclusion as Near Mint - even that may be doing it an injustice!  What a STUNNING album!
In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a standard that is quite simply out of this world, an apt description!  I do not think I have ever found a FINAL UPGRADE version but in my educated opinion we certainly have one here.  From the first note on 'Speak To Me' to the final note on 'Eclipse' there is no interference.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is second to none and I cannot overstate just how fantastic the playback is!  3/4 mega light ticks and a small number of dust ticks that is the only 'background' if that is the right word.  It would take a very long time to find sonic quality such as this on another A2/B2 first pressing and together with a very impressive cover I am positive the winning bidder will be so impressed by this iconic classic album.  STUNNING in every way.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The 'midnight blue' cover is in lovely condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The top edges have only 3/4 small rub areas and the bottom edges are very clean indeed with only a little rubbing on the bottom edge of the back cover near the right corner.  The spine is in great shape with only a couple of small rubs and all corners have only the bare minimum of wear.  The opening edge has only minimal handling wear and a handful of minor 'crimps'.  The front cover (with the sticker) is for once so clean with no obvious marking - just a few very faint small scratch lines near the spine that you can only see when held at a certain angle.  The back cover is just as impressive with only a couple of faint indents and the two small rubs by the bottom edge.  The inside of the gatefold is close to perfect with no marking and only a couple of minor creases in the top left corner.  The inner spine is in superb order.  Overall this is a fine example of this iconic cover - I have graded as Ex but it is so close to Ex+
The original poly-lined black inner is in excellent condition with no marking and just one very small 'nick'/tear on one edge and only minimal creasing.  It has the Patent Nos... and 'Made in Great Britain' printed in silver on one side.
The Posters & Stickers
The glossy posters are in superb condition with no rips or tears and only the 'band' one has 2/3 faint spots around the border.  The two stickers are also in great shape with no creasing.  The lighter one has the three brown diagonal stripes and 'Crack Back Patented' plus 'FasPrint Permanent' on the back.  However, the darker one only has 'FasPrint Permanent S-260' on the back so may be a later addition.  Who knows!  It's a complicated world when it comes to the production dates of all the stickers!
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 804 // A-2 / B-2 // GAP 5 / GDO 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.


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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!































































 

 

 

 


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