PINK FLOYD THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SUPERB & COMPLETE 1973 UK HARVEST 1st ISSUE

PINK FLOYD THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SUPERB & COMPLETE 1973 UK HARVEST 1st ISSUE

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During this time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet.

On offer here is a lovely 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 first pressing on the Harvest Record Label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. dark blue gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the original black poly-lined inner sleeve, 2 posters and 2 stickers. [The sleeve is a dark blue first issue with the right front opening of the gatefold cover sealed with a fold-over flap glued inside the opening. The record matrix numbers and mother stampers are SHVL 804 A-2  G R R  5 and SHVL 804 B-2  G G C  4].

The gatefold sleeve is in VG+ condition (strictly graded) with just light wear to the edges and corners and a few small creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with only a touch of ringwear. The round purple title sticker on the front cover is fully intact. The opening gatefold spread  is pristine and the spine is square and solid. Overall it's a very well preserved example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed 146g record retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in EX condition with only a few faint sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any significant effect on the audio playback. The Harvest labels with solid light blue prisms are unmarked with only a moderate number of short spindle traces near the centres. There is minimal wear around the spindle hole. The audio playback is for the most part EX throughout (see observations below) with barely any discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. The sound quality is nothing short of sensational, very powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass. A critical listening identified two random ticks during the track "Money", plus a couple of transient crackles near the start of "Brain Damage" followed by some crackle for a few seconds during the two middle lines of the third verse. I can't see an obvious cause for this and suspect that it may be a pressing issue. Please note that this pressing does not have the well-documented skip during "Money". I've owned several first issues of TDSOTM and all have exhibited minor audio issues of one kind or another. Other than the minor audio issues highlighted above this particular pressing plays to a very high standard throughout and should please most collectors.  

The black poly-lined inner sleeve has a clear tape repair to one side edge, but is otherwise in very nice condition.

Both fold-out posters and both stickers are in unmarked EX condition.

Overall this is a superb and complete first issue of  arguably Pink Floyd's most accomplished album which 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 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 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 - £8.50

Worldwide - £11.50