PINK FLOYD PACKAGE ATOM HEART MOTHER EX/VG + PRESS CUTTINGS/REVIEWS

First   U.K. Pressing  Matrix: SHVL 781 A-1G / SHVL 781 B-1G

Mothers / Stampers: 1 MM (or could be WW or UU or even 1111) / 2 0T

Catalogue number SHVL 781 Year of Release: 1970 Made in England

OVERALL CONDITION IS EXCELLENT/VERY GOOD

Sleeve EXCELLENT/VG This is a bit hard to grade as, although it is in overall EXCELLENT condition there is some slight ring-ware noticeable at the top of the back cover and a small tear to the top right hand corner of the back (see photo) – hence the compromise grading.

However, it is the earliest first pressing cover, a one piece, unlaminated gatefold, which folded under at the top & bottom and stopped at the top of the inside (later ones didn’t)  

Inside EXCELLENT it has the full inside cover text "7010 tps printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patent no. 943,895 shvl 781" which later ones didn’t

Spine EXCELLENT/VG there’s only minimal edge wear and the spine is firm and totally legible but has some slight creasing.

Inner Sleeve  the polylined Harvest promotional inner sleeve  is still in EXCELLENT condition with no tears, creases or splits. I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, although it is starting to split slightly at the top, it still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years

Record EXCELLENT The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality

Labels EXCELLENT The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking. These are the matt surfaced Classic UK Harvest first Press, with no EMI logo and ‘The Gramophone Co Ltd’ rim text.

Audio Quality EXCELLENT The record itself is clean and glossy and plays well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle between tracks that unfortunately are noticeable in some of the quietest passages but vanish after a few seconds and don’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. although deep cleaning would probably remove them. It lays flat on the turntable and plays well without the needle sticking or jumping. (Please be aware the crackling on Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast is just that – the sound of bacon frying!)

TRACK LIST: Side 1: Atom Heart Mother (a) Father’s Shout; (b) Breast Milky (c) Mother Fore; (d) Funky Dung; (e) Mind Your Throats Please; (f) Remergence. Side 2: If; Sumer 68; Fat Old Sun; Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast (a) Rise and Shine; (b) Sunny Side Up; (c) Morning Glory.

Musicians: David Gilmour – guitars; bass guitar, drums, vocals; Roger Waters – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, tape effects, tape collage, vocals; Richard Wright – keyboards, piano, orchestration, vocals; Nick Mason – drums, percussion, tape editing, tape collage. Guest musicians and vocalists: John Aldiss Choir – vocals; Ron Geesin – orchestration; Alan Stiles – voice on ‘Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast’; Philip Jones Brass Ensemble; Abbey Road Session Pops Orchestra – brass and orchestral sections. Producers: Pink Floyd with Norman Smith Engineers: Alan Parsons and Peter Bown

PRESS CUTTINGS I’m also including a few press cuttings from Melody Maker and Sounds from the same period, I think these are also very rare, as I’ve never seen them referred to in books or on the web. There are a couple of short reviews amongst them and, my favourite, a letter from a dairy farmer claiming his herd were more productive when he played them Floyd!!!! Perhaps they were friends of the cows on the cover??

Summary: this ICONIC, progressive rock masterwork  album is a lovely piece of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard it on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound forty seven years old. I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. I’m starting it at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy it without paying rip off prices Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.

A Word About Payment and Postage: Sorry but I accept Paypal only and it will be posted as soon as payment has cleared, which must be paid within 24hours of the end of the auction. This may seem harsh but I’m fed up with time wasters!

I use 12" Vinyl LP Record postal mailers and protect them with an additional layer of bubblewrap. In the UK I use Royal Mail Signed For. If you require some other form of postage/delivery, I’m more than happy providing you meet the extra costs. If you are outside the UK, I will use Ebay’s own service.