Obscured By Clouds A1/B1 (1st Press)

This A1/B1 is a genuine final upgrade archive first pressing.  The audio is of the highest standard and plays as Mint for about 99% of the record I would say!  It is immaculate and includes a superb original textured cover and inner also.

SHSP 4020 // A - 1 / B - 1 //  AD 2 / GR 

The audio on S1 is  Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (track 1 intro for 10 seconds is Ex)

The cover is Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Mint

This vinyl is in visually stunning and to say it looks 'as new' is no exaggeration!  It has a pristine glossy jet black surface and has no hairlines, scratches or marking and the run out grooves are beautifully clean also.  This is vinyl gold!  It has only been played a couple of times at most judging by the immaculate audio and the fact that there are only a couple of faint spindle trails on S2.  This has the wow factor, absolutely stunning!

Play grading  

This is stunning!  There is no lead in static so you're already thinking this is going to play with fantastic audio...it does!  Every track is Mint- the clarity and depth is outstanding.  I always think the production on this LP is underrated so when you get a pristine A1/B1first pressing such as this the quality of the recording really shines through.  I cannot stress how clear the audio is there is just no interference.  The quiet sections play beautifully and the louder tracks such as 'The Gold It's In The...' has superb power and no distortion.  There is no one obvious highlight on this side as the whole side IS the highlight!  'Mudmen' often has some 'background', being the final track on the side, but this version once again has audio of Mint- quality.  100% immaculate!

'Childhood's End' on S2 has a handful of soft ticks for about 10 seconds on the quiet intro and then plays as per S1 with incredible clarity and definition.  'Free Four' is 'as new' I am running out of superlatives for this album!  Even the long fade out has no interference whatsoever.  The final two tracks also have audio that equals that standard and with so many quiet sections this is almost unheard of.  I am just blown away by the Mint audio on offer here.  Both 'Stay' and 'Absolutely Curtains' are the best versions I have heard on any pressing let alone an A1/B1 first pressing!  Absolutely superb!

In summary if anyone is after a final upgrade copy of this album then look no further!  The separation here is sublime i.e. you can hear each instrument so clearly, there is no muddiness to the sound and no interference apart from a minimal amount of 'background' at the beginning of S2.  So often in the shadow of 'Dark Side..', which was released soon after, the production values here are first class and this is without doubt the most impressive A1/B1 I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  It is getting increasingly difficult to find a genuine A1/B1 so to find one in this condition is a rarity.  

The Cover

The textured cover has been so well looked after down the decades and has barely any shelf wear, it is visually stunning.  The edges (with rounded corners) have very little rubbing and the corners themselves have no obvious wear at all.  There is just one small crease on the bottom left corner, hardly visible.  The thin pinched spine is in superb condition and remains 100% legible and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front and back cover are so clean and have none of the usual creasing that you so often find.  Overall this is a stunning example of this cover.

The Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined Harvest sleeve is in great order with no splits or tears just some light creasing and age related fading here and there.  A fine example.

The labels

They are both in pristine condition with no marking or writing, a couple of small spindle trails on the S2 label.

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

SHSP 4020 // A - 1 / B - 1 //  AD 2 / GR 

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!