The Dark Side Of The Moon A3/B3 (Complete)

This very early A3/B3 pressing plays with wonderful quality overall and comes complete with a very impressive gatefold and posters/stickers that are almost 'as new'.

SHVL 804 // A - 3 / B - 3 // AGG 1 / HT 1

The audio on S1 is Ex++ (Near Mint / Mint- for the vast majority)

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

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The poster and stickers are Near Mint

Visual grading

This is a very clean early pressing that has no scratches.  Under a bright light I can detect some faint hairlines on S1 and a smaller number on S2.  There is one tiny speck a few grooves in on S2 but it very difficult to spot.  Overall a very impressive A3/B3 pressing that has only 2/3 very faint spindle traces on each side.  Judging by the quality of the vinyl I would say this has only been lightly played.

Play grading  

'Speak To Me' has a minimal amount of static on the intro that is non-intrusive and 'Breathe' then has awesome audio that displays incredible depth and clarity.  A couple of click sounds in the middle section but once the vocal begins the audio plays with near perfection, the clarity is stunning.  'On The Run' is breathtakingly good from the start.  The depth of sound and the level of the bass is superb.  Turn it up loud, it is jaw-droppingly good!  And there is no distortion whatsoever.  The 'running man' section at the end has only the lightest of static.  'Time' has minimal static on the intro but there are certainly no clicks or pops.  Thereafter the playback is Near Mint if not better and the guitar solo has no distortion and plays with sublime precision.  This standard continues to the end and 'Breathe Reprise' is near faultless with only one faint click.  'The Great Gig In The Sky' has only minor static on the intro but it does not detract from the quality of the audio in my opinion, it is very much in the background.  Once the 'vocal' begins the power is incredible and rarely have I heard better.  Stunning!  The extended outro is again so impressive and has barely any static and provides a stunning finale to this classic track.

'Money' plays with superb quality for the vast majority.  There is a raspy crackle type sound after the '...football team' line but lasts for only a couple of seconds.  From then on the audio is of the highest standard and is undeniably Near Mint.  'Us And Them' has a little light static on the intro but it does not interfere with the quality of the recording.  Once the vocal begins the audio is beautifully clear and impresses with excellent precision and only a couple of static sounds in the middle.  The final trio of tracks easily grade as Near Mint the quality is stunning.  'Brain Damage' in particular is stunning and 'Eclipse' has very little of the distortion that is so often prevalent.  The 'heartbeat' ending has barely any 'background' either and provides a fantastic end to this A3/B3 pressing.

In summary this mega early A3/B3 pressing plays with very impressive audio.  A couple of imperfections but overall the audio plays with wonderful clarity and precision.  Whilst I have only graded the gatefold as Ex (perhaps under-graded!) it is without doubt one of the most impressive I have seen housing an A3/B3 vinyl in a long time.

The Gatefold

This black G&L gatefold is in lovely condition with only minor shelf wear.  The top edges have hardly any rubbing but there is little more on the bottom ones, nothing excessive though.  There is not very much corner wear although there is a little more on the bottom right corners.  The spine is in great shape with only one small area of rubbing on the centre.  The opening edge is in superb condition with no handling wear whatsoever.  The front cover, so often seen with various marks, spotting etc, is very clean and has only a small number of fine 'specks'.  The back is very similar with only slight ringwear and one faint crease line top left.  The inside of the gatefold is in great condition with only very minor spotting but no more than you would expect.  A high quality example overall of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

The white inner 'Care Of Your Record' sleeve has no splits or marking and only minor creasing.

The Labels

They have no writing/marking and only the absolute minimum of spindle wear.  Very clean examples and super clean run out grooves also.

The Posters & Stickers

All in superb condition!  The glossy posters are incredibly clean with no splits or tears and there is no staining or marking either.  The stickers are also in great condition and have 'Crack Back & Fasprint' and again have no creasing, marking etc.  Both the posters and stickers have been barely touched over the last 40+ years.

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 - 3 / B - 3 // AGG 1 / HT 1

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

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