BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDENCE . YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED: COMPLETE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING AND A 100% TRACK RECORD OF OFFERING GREAT PRODUCTS, SERVICE, COMMUNICATION AND DELIVERY – GUARANTEED!!  

Pink Floyd’s ANIMALS - 1st Ever UK Pressing, complete with TOP AUDIO and ULTRA RARE WIDE SPINE Cover.

First ever Pressing with A2 Matrix. Only the 1st ever pressings came with the A 2 Matrix, making this an ultimate rarity in Archive Condition. 

Great Playing Record! Great Cover. Original FIRST PRESS Labels, from my own personal collection and only played twice.

CAT NO:....

Harvest SHVL 815

LABEL PRESS DETAILS:

A 1st pressing, released on January, 1977. Picture label with text around the top and bottom edge of the label starts at 7 o'clock:

MATRIX NOs. ON RUN-OUT GROOVE

Side 1: SHVL 815    A    2 U    Side 2:  SHVL 815   B   2 U

Side 1: 3 P O     Side 2:  1     W P

TRACK LISTING…

This is a superb press of the classic PINK FLOYD album. An extremely rare First UK Pressing, with great vinyl, TOP AUDIO and ultra rare cover in immaculate condition.

Animals is the tenth studio album by Pink Floyd, released in January 1977. A concept album, it mixes soaring music with a provides a scathing critique of the social-political conditions of 1970s Britain, and presents a marked change in musical style from their earlier work. Animals was recorded at the band's studio, Britannia Row, in London. The album's iconic cover image, a pig floating between two chimneys on Battersea Power Station, was conceived by bassist and writer Roger Waters, and photographed by long-time collaborators Hipgnosis.

The album was released to positive reviews in the United Kingdom, where it reached number two. It was also a success in the United States, reaching number three on the Billboard 200, and although it scored on the American charts for only six months, steady sales have resulted in its certification by the RIAA at four times platinum. 

Animals was loosely based on George Orwell's political fable Animal Farm, its lyrics described various classes in society as different kinds of animals; the combative dogs, despotic ruthless pigs, and the "mindless and unquestioning herd" of sheep. Whereas the novella focuses on Stalinism, the album is a critique of capitalism and differs again in that the sheep eventually rise up to overpower the dogs. The album was developed from a collection of unrelated songs into a concept which, in the words of author Glenn Povey, "described the apparent social and moral decay of society, likening the human condition to that of mere animals."

Apart from its critique of society, the album was also in part a response to the punk rock movement, which grew in popularity as a nihilistic statement against the prevailing social and political conditions, and also a reaction to the general complacency and nostalgia that appeared to surround rock music. Drummer Nick Mason later stated that he welcomed the "Punk Rock insurrection" and viewed it as a welcome return to the underground scene from which Pink Floyd had grown. In 1977 he produced The Damned's second album, Music For Pleasure, at Britannia Row.

In his 2008 book Comfortably Numb, author Mark Blake argues that "Dogs" contains some of David Gilmour's finest work; although the guitarist sings only one lead vocal, his performance is "explosive". The song also contains notable contributions from keyboardist Richard Wright, which echo the synthesiser sounds used on the band's previous album, Wish You Were Here. "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" is audibly similar to "Have a Cigar", with bluesy guitar fills from Gilmour.

A view of the building was chosen for the cover image, and the band commissioned German company Ballon Fabrik (who had previously constructed Zeppelin airships) The album's theme continues onto the record's picture labels. Side one's label shows a fisheye lens view of a dog and the English countryside, and side two features a pig and sheep, in the same setting. Drummer Nick Mason's handwriting is used as a typeface throughout the packaging. The gatefold features monochrome photographs of the dereliction around the power station.

Animals was given to John Peel, who played side one of the album in its entirety as soon as he got it. NME called the album "… one of the most extreme, relentless and downright iconoclastic hunks of music to have been made available this side of the sun …" and is now considered one of Floyd's most influential, lyrical, beautiful, critical and complete pieces of music.

ALBUM PLAYED FOR GRADING: 

Yes – brilliant! -  EXCELLENT PLUS to NEAR MINT sound quality throughout!

Animals is a highly complex, theatrical collection of music, and is also a relatively sensitive piece of vinyl, and hard to find in clear audio condition. Worn copies can have a lot of surface sound even on the musically complex and busy sections. This pressing has super clear undistorted audio, with clear sound and absolutely minimal background static. There is certainly no dominant  interference, and NO loud pops or clicks or Distortion what so ever. It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity!

Superb sound, every track has been tested and I could find no obvious sound blemishes.  Wonderful TOP audio, there is NO distortion, NO sticks or jumps what so ever, and virtual silence between the tracks.

This vinyl is an absolute gem! It must be about the clearest copy of ‘Animals' I've heard. Great music with great clarity, and so hard to find with this type of sound. I'll give a detailed account below:

Beginning with the ultra delicate 'Pigs on the Wing Part 1.' the audio is just incredible. It is so clear that it has a deep echoing sound on Waters vocal that is nearly always lost on he vinyl.  This is why Animals is such a hard vinyl to find with anything like decent audio, there are just so many variables in the audio performance, and so many ultra quiet delicate sections. There is virtually no static at all here, just the faintest and most distant that would outshine even most brand new unplayed vinyls. Certainly no pops, clicks or even tics. 

'Dogs' also has an extremely quiet intro, and again the sound is just sensational. Audio as close to perfect as you can ever find. Perfect audio,  I dont not use that term lightly, still not a single pop or click, and still virtually no static to be heard.

Side 2. 'Pigs' continues the musical motifs and again, plays superbly. There is a long slow introduction to this side, and there is some light static and a light pop, but nothing intrusive. The sound quality is just sensational, and it plays with incredible separation, sharpness and tonal clarity.

"Helplessly passing your time in the grasslands away", 'Sheep' also begins with a long quiet building intro, and the track continues to play superbly with no pops or clicks and an absolute minimal or surface static. Any static that there is is extremely infrequency and very low level, largely near inaudible.

Returning to 'Pigs on the Wing' the quality is amazing, this stunning audio performance is concluded and this final very quiet acoustic track plays perfectly. 

This is a tremendous audio performance of Animals. The music jumps out, with definition and clarity, the vocals which come through with tremendous power and the many quiet sections are incredibly quiet. Its the same with the bass guitar and drums, and the guitars come through crisp and clear. The tonal quality make this a sensational pressing. With the clear and extra loud First cut engineering giving the audio a vibrant sound which cannot be beaten. 

A great all round example of this classic vinyl. there are about 6 light tics at the start of side two, but no loud pops or clicks. This is a great Audio pleasure and I would have to give the Audio an EXCELLENT PLUS to NEAR MINT grading.

Staggering first (stereo) mix, unlike the re-issues which lack the impact. A great all round example of this great vinyl.

THE RECORD - NEAR MINT

Visually immaculate, this is a superb piece of glossy vinyl. Deep clear grooves that can only be found on the original pressings, this vinyl has been barely played. 

A superb piece of glossy vinyl, and a really thick pressing. Deep clear grooves that can only be found on the original early pressings, this vinyl has been little played. The record has great shine, with no scratches, just some (ultra) light handling marks /  paper removal marks and a few of the lightest hairlines only. Any minor surface marks or very light and non sounding, being caused by handing and sleeve removal. On the whole this is a really stunning example.

VINYL TESTED FOR ANY SIGNS OF WARPING:

Yes, NONE visible what so ever when tested be sight and on a moving turntable.

THE COVER 

Original 1st issue UK Wide Spine Gatefold cover. 

A great example, with no ring wear, NO corner wear, virtually no marks or scuffs. The spine is square and true, and amazingly, there is no loss of colour anywhere on the  cover, even on the very edges, and no finger prints or smudge marks. There are a couple of very faint indentations on the rear, and a couple of light creases only. Must easily grade at EXCELLENT PLUS.

THE LABELS - NEAR MINT

Virtually flawless labels, with a few light spindle traces only. One of side one only, to be precise and none on side 2. NO wear around the spindle hole! Amazing examples of this rare classic First press.

THE INNER

Heavy cardboard 1st press inner sleeve with rounded corners and a nine-inch thumb notch.

NEAR MINT condition, NO tears, NO wear at the tops. Crisp and Clean.

RARITY

A FIRST PRESS copy of ANIMALS in any type of condition is scarce. The vinyl is so often played so much, heavily marked, scratched, with noisy, poor and distorted sound. Any 1st examples with a record in this type of condition, is a true rarity, and getting rarer by the day. Finding a complete press in barely played condition, with a superb Wide Spine cover makes this a very rare opportunity.

 A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO OWN AN EXTREMELY RARE PIECE OF MUSICAL HISTORY

GREAT COVERS WITH NO SEAM SPLITS, NO TEARS, NO WRITING, NO STICKERS.

GREAT VINYLS WITH NO LOUD CLICKS OR POPS, NO JUMPS OR REPEATS - GUARANTEED!

SCRUPULOUS EXAMINATION and TESTING; PLEASE NOTE:

This record has been play tested on highly sensitive equipment to ensure the sound quality and accuracy of description. I aim to give a precise and concise description of the sound quality, pointing out any defects so that you know what you are buying. I will not go into screeds of information about the nature of the songs, as I imagine that you already know them well. I aim to describe all items as accurately as possible, and offer a full refund on return if for any reason you are not completely happy with the item description.

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VINYL SOUND - PLEASE NOTE:

The highest quality vinyl with clear sound is rare, and is what I always aim for. I only sell records that play with TOP AUDIO performance, super clear sound uninterrupted by hiss or other interference. Even with the cleanest copies you will find occasional static sound or occasional light tics during playback, caused by a build of dust in the grooves. This is clearly different from the distortion, loud pops, repeating tics or clicks that are found on heavily played and worn pieces of vinyl. Any static build up will reduce when played, and I advise a light clean should be given between plays for optimal performance. 

VINYL

Large format art work covers with the original sound and mix unique to vinyl and of the highest quality audio. Vinyl record have always been loved and have become a great investment opportunity, with prices soaring over the last ten years, making classic pieces a great financial as well as a cultural investment.  

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IMAGES and INFORMATION

I only use my photographs taken with a high quality professional digital camera of the item for sale. The images are designed to be as clear as possible, giving an exact image of the item. I aim to give sufficient and accurate detail as possible, so that you know exactly what you are bidding on. Please let me know if you need any further information and I will be only to happy to oblige.

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ABOUT ME 

I am a visual artist, working internationally, a collector of art and rare objects including rare vinyl, which I have been collecting for over 25 years, and an art and music enthusiast. I specialise in the  highest quality rarest items, selling to collectors the world over. I want you to know what a great item you are bidding on. If there is anything that is unclear in the listing, or you have any questions about this or any other item, please feel free to get in touch. All the best to you.  

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING.

SOME EXAMPLES OF FEEDBACK –

BRILLIANT LP MINT CONDITION,AWESOME SELLAR,1ST CLASS PACKAGING, NO PROBLEMS A+

ITEM RECEIVED.. AS DESCRIBED... PACKED GREAT...MANY THANKS..RECOMMENDED.. A*******

Great LP from a great seller. Thanks !! Very well packaged. AAA+++

received today! great record!! thank you!!!

Item arrived quickly, well packaged and in excellent condition. Very pleased.

fast delivery, superb communication, good item, great ebayer AAAAA+++++

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RETURN POLICY:

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed ; - returns accepted with out question. If you are not happy then it can be returned, I cant say fairer that that!

I ONLY SELL RARE GOODS THAT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION, IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT DEFECT, IT WILL BE CLEARLY STATED.

If in the unlikely event that you may want to return an item, or that I have missed something in the listing, I offer a no quibble return policy. Items must be returned within 12 Days of receipt, and returned in the same condition that they were sent out in. Return postage must be paid by buyer, unless there is a particular fault with the item, and then I will pay the full postage costs!

MY RECORD GRADING SYSTEM IS AS FOLLOWS - (BASED ON RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE U.K. )

MINT: Virtually unplayed. The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. Cover is pristine.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

V.G PLUS: The record will still be nice and shiny, but may have a few light marks, and will play well. Slight wear and tear on the cover.

V.G: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, etc.

FAIR: Fair. It is noticeable that the record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated very noticeably. The cover and contents are showing signs of folding, scuffing of edges etc.

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POSTAGE AND PAYMENT DETAILS : -

Items will be extremely well sealed and securely wrapped using the best possible packaging for safe handling and delivery. I send items all round the globe with 100% success! I sell top quality rare records to discerning buyers. I do not make money from the postage costs and aim to keep the prices at a reasonable rate, but please don't expect a cheap second rate service. 

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY THAT THE ITEMS YOU BUY GETS TO YOU IN PERFECT CONDITION. All RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR MAIN COVER AND PLACED IN A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT INNER SLEEVE TO AVOID ANY CHANCE OF EDGE SPLITS OR KNIFING. THEY ARE HELD SAFELY IN EXTRA THICK PLASTIC SLEEVES, AND THEN THEY ARE SECURED WITH SEVERAL EXTRA LAYERS OF REINFORCED CARD BOARD AND PADDING AND MAILED IN EXTRA STRONG PROFESSIONAL RECORD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFE ARRIVAL. AS I HAVE STATED I HAVE A 100% SUCCESS RATE AND AIM TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Example of packaging used

UK - First Class Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £5.00

UK Special Signed For Next Day Delivery with Insurance : = £8.90

EUROPE - International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £11.95

INTERNATIONAL, Non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Russia, Australia etc. International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £18.95

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MULTIPLE PURCHASE REDUCTION

Reduced postage of course for multiple items up to 30% off extra items.

POSTAGE WILL BE FIRST CLASS OR THE FASTEST AND SAFEST POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, RECORDED WITH TRACKING AND INSURANCE. ALL ITEMS ARE FULLY INSURED AND COVERED FOR THE SAFEST DELIVERY POSSIBLE, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. GUARANTEED!

POSTAGE RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF POSTAGE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE. MANY THANKS.

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PAYMENTS 

Payments must be made within 3 days of purchasing unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon. Pay Pall ONLY for International buyers. We will accept Pay Pall, cheque or postal order within the UK, but no cash or bank transfers. Items sent out immediately on receipt of payment

Please Note: If no contact is made by the winning bidder following the mandatory Ebay 3 days, I will reserve the right to offer the item to the runner-up, unless prior notice of any delay is arranged beforehand.  Any bidder who has missed the chance to purchase an item from me can still email to make a priority second chance.