Pink Floyd. Dark Side of the Moon. Mint Condition .First Pressing.1973 Original.

	£		51
	$		68

Pink Floyd

Dark Side of the Moon

MINT UN-PLAYED CONDITION

ORIGINAL 1973 BLUE-PRISM-HARVEST LABEL PRESSING

SHVL 804

Side One Matrix SHVL 804 - A -1  1          Side Two Matrix SHVL 804 - B - 1  0 

  Dark Side of the Moon, By Pink Floyd.

This is super RARE because it is an original 1973 First Press and perhaps more importantly, because it is un-played and in MINT condition! Or as close to Mint as I have seen and could possibly imagine, but, re the term, please read on. Even if 'Near Mint' is more appropriate, which I would say under-grades it, this is still a truly amazing find!

First, the hidden codes or Matrices, Mothers & Stampers, as they are known and are found within the 'run-offs' on both sides of the vinyl. Side One has SHVL - A - 1  1 and then, following the label as a clock dieal, at 9 o'clock there is '2' and a little further around 'HTM'. On Side Two there is SHVL - 804 - B 1 0 and at 3 o'clock '2'. This suggests an early pressing using low numbered Mothers or Dye Masters, which produced, in turn, the Stampers, which being an acetate and copper, with stainless steel coating, would wear frequently and so could be very high in number and often changed or mixed and matched. These numbers suggest 2, which is low. 'C J' is probably the machine or press operative and 'HTM', which is found on many Pink Floyd and is usually scratched not stamped, is probably quality control or a final pass.

The record is superb and is, as stated, mint. The vinyl is perfect and retains its deep, dark black lustre. The labels are clean, unmarked and obviously, without spindle wear. It is superb. Both posters are folded, crisp and un-handled except by me to photograph carefully. The stickers, too, prestine and Mint. The inner sleeve is prestine, crisp and being white, but fully hidden, just showing the beginings of atmosphere gently aging its colour. The cover itself, is prestine, un-marked and has the gatefold opening, displaying the colours of the prism. There is a slight 4 to 5cm seam split at the bottom of the cover, on the very edge itself and pretty well hidden and un-obvious. It is probably due to the weight of the vinyl over almost forty years just gently pressing downwards, but, as I said, pretty inconsequential. However, this would probably grade the cover as 'Near Mint', allowing a minor blemish or mark on the cover, but not detracting from the over all condition or appearance. For full clarification of this, see The Record Collector's Guide below. This is a fabulous looking LP and it seems like it has just come out of a 1973 record shop! Rare, superb and a true Collector's Record!

I do not sell to anywhere else in the World, so, please, do not bid as you will not win the item. I only sell to the UK for the simple reason that postage is reasonable, tracking is possible andif there are issues, they can be, generally, resolved quickly. Sorry, I had a bad experience with someone in Russia, who lied and quite frankly it is simply not worth the Grief! Sorry those of you in Gemany, who are true fans and do ask me, but it is too expensive and it takes too long to post and the risk of damage and problems is too high!

Postage in the UK is quoted at £4.50 for Second Class Recorded, but this is only up to £46 in value. I suspect this collector's item will sell for much more and so postage will be more and will have to inlcude Guaranteed Nex Day, Signed For Delivery. Thus it will be more than £4.50, depending on final selling price. Check with me before sending payment.

Finally, this record is Mint and Un-Played. Some might argue that there is no 'True Mint' record, that is not in its shrink-wrap or is not sold 'new' from a shop. I am fully conversant with the various vinyl guides and find many of them 'out-of-touch' and will often 'over-grade' or with the term 'Mint' under-grade. So, let's put the record straught and say that this record was bought, stored and no played. It is in, as far as I can see, absolutely top condition and appears Mint to me. If you or anyone ese has a problem with the term Mint, then I a prepared to conceed that 'Near Mint' or 'Near, Near Mint' may be used, but these are terms and I think the term is open to speculation.

So, please... this is as near as I can get to as Mint as I have ever seen in a record that is not brand new and just off the shelf! If you accept that, then bid for it, but if you don't, then, please do not bid, as I will not want this item returned, because anyone buying and playing it, will automatically take away any grading that approxiamtes Mint. It is sold on trust as an LP that has not been played. You play it - it is not. I have not played it! No return for anything other than damage in transit that can be proved irrevocably and then it will be via insurance only!

Thanks - happy bidding and owning of thie superb Collector's Record!

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

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.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

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, discolouration, etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler."

As well as the above grades, Near Mint is often used as well; this is really for a record that appears new but is known to have been played because the label has light spindle marks or because it has come from a previous owner and is assumed to have been played by them. For records which appear to fall between the accepted grades, + and - are also often added to the grading.

In addition to the basic grading, any individual faults should be noted separately such as if an otherwise Excellent cover has a name written on it, or a 7" single is missing its original centre etc.

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