PINK FLOYD, THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, 1973 UK HARVEST 2nd PRESS, A-3/B-2 MATRIX

	£		60
	$		80

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Pink Floyd's iconic studio album titled "The Dark Side Of The Moon", Catalogue Number SHVL 804. It's a 1973 UK stereo second pressing on the Harvest EMI record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. gatefold sleeve. It comes with the original black poly-lined inner sleeve and one of the original posters. [The sleeve is the earliest design which is dark blue in colour and factory sealed on the left side. The matrix numbers are SHVL 804 A-3 and SHVL 804 B-2. Some of the solid blue prism labelled first pressings also had A-3/B-2 matrix numbers. The record labels have "THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD..." text around the tops].

The stickered Hipgnosis designed gatefold sleeve is in VG+ condition with just light wear and a few relatively minor creases to the back cover. The front and back covers are unmarked as is the opening gatefold spread. The spine is square and solid. Overall it's a very presentable example.

The solidly-pressed 141g record is visually in VG+ condition with only a few superficial surface marks evident under bright light. The Harvest blue-outline prism picture labels are unmarked with only a modest number of spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with barely any discernible deterioration in sound quality and minimal unwanted noise. The sound quality is very dynamic and powerful with lots of wonderful sound effects. There are no repeat pops/clicks and only very low levels of residual surface sound. It's a nice playing copy. 
 

The black poly-lined inner sleeve has a split to one side edge and a few little nicks to the opening edges.

The Pink Floyd band pictures poster has minor foxing to the white rear, but is otherwise in very good condition with no splits or tears. This is an original first issue poster which is printed on thicker paper than subsequent re-issues.

Overall this is a lovely second press copy of Pink Floyd's best known album which plays to a very high standard. It will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £11.50

Worldwide - £14.50