The Dark Side of the Moon A2 / B2 (1st Pressing - Solid Blue Triangle)
This rare first pressing of this iconic LP is in fantastic condition and the audio plays to an exceptional standard.  The vinyl has been so well preserved and many sections play as Near Mint if not better the audio is stunning.  The 'midnight blue' gatefold has also been exceedingly well maintained and I have not seen many cleaner.
Also included are the posters and stickers that all remain in superb condition.
SHVL 804 // A-2 / B-2 // GRT 5 / GGG 4
The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / track 1 intro VG+)
The audio on Side Two is Near Mint (track 2 intro Ex- / track 5 Ex+)
The gatefold cover is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
The original poly-lined inner is VG+
The posters and stickers are Near Mint
Visual grading
This is a visually stunning 'solid blue' vinyl that is rarely seen today in this condition and has been very carefully preserved down the years.  There are no scratches and only a few light hairlines on each side but you have to look very closely in order to see them.  There are a couple of slightly more obvious hairline marks but they have no affect on the superb quality of the audio.  This is in the top 3 of the cleanest A2/B2 pressings I have ever seen and the audio reflects that.  Both sides retain a lovely glossy sheen and the run out grooves are also extremely clean.  There is some spindle wear on each side but not an excessive amount.
Play grading
'Speak To Me' plays very clearly from the outset and with only a little static and a soft 'whoosh' type sound per revolution of the record but it doesn't last long.  It disappears when you hear the spoken 'I've always been mad...' line.  'Breathe' then plays in impressive style with superb sonic quality and no clicks or pops at all.  Every now and then there is the faintest of background static but I only mention this to be complete in my grading and it is totally non-intrusive.  I'm probably only hearing it because my ears are so close to the speakers!
'On The Run' is quite simply outstanding!  The depth and overall range of the audio is among the best I have ever heard and to think this is an A2/B2 press!  Even when turned up loud there is no distortion and on the quiet 'running man' ending there is only a hint of light static.  This grades as Near Mint without doubt.
The clocks chime loud and true and without distortion on the 'Time' intro and the following section then plays with great clarity but with very faint static in the background.  There are no clicks or pops or loud crackle for that matter.  Once the vocal begins the audio is absolutely stunning and the separation is of the highest quality.  There are two light clicks during the second verse but this is the only interference and from then on the audio is stunning.  The guitar solo in particular is incredible and you can turn up the volume without fear of distortion as the sonic quality is 'high end' to say the least.  The remainder of the track plays with Near Mint quality if not better.
'Breathe Reprise' is absolutely faultless and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- the clarity is exceptional and plays 'as new'.
'The Great Gig In The Sky' intro has no 'background' and plays with amazing clarity.  There is a little static on the spoken section but once the 'vocal' begins the power and depth of this classic is astounding.  Again there is no distortion and it sounds as good as the day when it was first released.  It plays so well and it knocks spots off the later pressings/recent reissues.  I have played it twice and I cannot believe how good it sounds, 100% stunning!  Even the quiet vocal section that follows plays in impeccable style with next to no static which is rare for this track let alone on a first A2/B2 pressing.  The final end section has only the faintest of light static here and there which is in no way intrusive.  This piano section plays so clearly and overall this is a simply stunning version of this track.
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'Money' on S2 has barely any 'background' on the intro and then plays as near to perfect as is possible.  The depth of the bass really comes through on the A2/B2 pressings and this is no exception here.  The strength and power is so obvious here and the saxophone and guitar sections that follow impress with Mint- quality for certain.  No interference and no distortion whatsoever.  Wow!  Many copies also had a skip pressed into the grooves but fortunately that is not the case here.  The remainder of the track impresses to the same immaculate standard and the second solo plays as well as the first.  The long fade out has barely any 'background'.
'Us And Them' does have some light crackle and a couple of light clicks on the intro but once you hear the saxophone the audio once again plays to a very impressive standard with only the odd mega light static sound here and there.  From the 'Forward he cried...' line the audio is stunning and reverberates with incredible power and depth.  There is no intrusive interference and from this point on the sound quality is of Mint- standard.  Rarely have I heard such clarity on an A2/B2 pressing.  I realise I go on a lot about clarity but that is how any album should be judged of course.  One from 2018 or one from 1973 and the clarity here is of the highest calibre.
'Any Colour You Like' plays with the same precision and there is no static or crackle to be heard and certainly no clicks or pops.
The quiet intro on 'Brain Damage' is Near Mint for sure if not better!  This breathtaking quality prevails to the end and the only 'background' I heard was a handful of very light (mega light!) dust ticks.  Again the power of the bass is stunning and the sound is just so all encompassing.  It really envelops the room when turned up loud.  A stunning version.
'Eclipse' end this classic LP with superb sound.  Yes there is a little distortion on the top level but it still plays with great depth and power.  There is certainly less distortion here than on many other A2/B2 pressings I have heard.  The majority of the 'heartbeat' ending plays very clearly with little interference and it is only the latter part that has a little static.
In summary this is one of the best A2/B2 first pressings I have heard.  Yes there is a little interference on the first track but by and large the audio throughout plays to an impeccable standard and many sections play as Mint- in my view.  A touch of light static here and there but nothing that detracts from the high quality on offer.  The fact that it is housed in a superb 'midnight blue' gatefold makes it even more collectable.
The Gatefold
This original G & L 'midnight blue' gatefold is one of the cleanest I have ever seen, it is in beautiful condition and has been incredibly well cared for.  It has none of the fading that you so often see and has not doubt been safely stored inside a plastic sleeve for most of its life.  The front cover is remarkably clean with no obvious marking and only a handful of very small mega faint scratch lines that are only visible when held at a certain angle.  The back cover is equally as impressive with only minor ringwear and a couple of faint creases near the spine.  The inside of the gatefold is in great order with only very faint spotting and again this is only visible when you hold the cover under a certain light.  It really is very clean.  The edges have a small amount of rubbing with a little more towards a couple of the corners.  The corners themselves are in excellent shape although the bottom right ones do have a little more rubbing.  The spine is in superb condition with no obvious wear and the opening edge has only light handling wear.  Whilst it may sound that I am listing a lot of negatives I can assure you that the shelf wear is only very minor and this is without doubt one of the most impressive 'midnight blue' covers I have seen in a long time and hopefully the photos do it justice.  A superb example in my opinion that would be hard to beat.
Original Black inner sleeve
The original die-cut black poly-lined inner sleeve has the patent numbers and 'Made in Great Britain' in silver text on one side.  It has one small side split and the top corners have small splits as well.  There are also a couple of very small tears and some creasing so whilst it is not in perfect condition it is still more than acceptable and is original of course!
The Labels
They are both in great condition with no writing or marking and only some spindle wear.  You won't find many better!
The posters and stickers
The posters are in stunning condition and have no rips or tears, they are so clean.  The 'CrackBack / FaspPrint' stickers are also in superb shape with no wear.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 804 // A-2 / B-2 // GRT 5 / GGG 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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