PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE A1/B3 1st PRESS + POSTCARD SUPERB MINT- AUDIO
£
673
$
892
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.
I recently purchased a stunning Pink Floyd collection where all the records and covers have been so well preserved by the previous owner. I am selling the majority of them during this auction.
Pink Floyd : Wish You Were Here A1 / B3 1st Press + PostcardThis first pressing is STUNNING! I sold one a couple of months back and this one is just as impressive with a sonic quality that is as close to perfect as is possible. There are just a small number of very light ticks on the 'Shine On...' intro on S2 but they hardly intrusive - they are not clicks! As detailed below the clarity and depth of the audio is amazing and the highlights are too numerous to mention. If I had to pick out one highlight I would have to say it would be the classic title track 'Wish You Were Here' as it has to be the most stunning example I have ever encountered. Mint- is a fair reflection of the audio!
The vinyl is visually stunning and based on the audio and the fact that I cannot see any spindle wear this has to be an album that has hardly been played over the last 46 years. It is well known that it is very difficult to find a near perfect A1/B3 first pressing but I am pleased to say we have one here!
The cover is in superb condition with very little of the fading/marking that you so often see. It is very clean and has kept its original 'white' look so well. The lyric inner is also in great condition with only very minimal wear and the original postcard is practically 'as new'.
As this is a genuine first press it has the A1/B3 matrix and 'Shine One, Part 5' is credited to Waters, Gilmour & Wright. The picture inner has three cut corners as per the first pressings also.
SHVL 814 // A - 1 / B - 3 // GLL 3 / GPM 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 intro Ex+)
The cover is Ex++
The lyric/picture inner is Near Mint-
The postcard is Mint-
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. There is no groove wear either and even under a strong light I can only detect a couple of very small and faint sleeve removal hairlines. This really is a stunning example! The run out grooves are also super clean and whilst the labels have some light mottling this can only be seen when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle. There is no spindle wear!
Play grading
The opening grooves on the classic 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One)' play so clearly with only a small number of very light dust ticks that you so often find on vinyl. Not clicks and totally non-intrusive, the playback is stunning! The first minute plays with exceptional clarity and as this long intro continues it gets even better with no background whatsoever! Gilmour's first introduction is faultless, 'as new' sums it up perfectly, and of course Wright's 'keys' just envelop the room with that iconic sound. It demands to be played loud! As the volume drops to near silence there is still no background and when Mason joins the scene there is no let up in quality. Each note is so sharp and precise and I cannot overstate just how well this entire opening section plays. At just under 9 minutes you could hardly wish for stronger audio, it is phenomenal! Gilmour's work could not play any better and the clarity through the quieter passages is STUNNING! It plays with such delicate precision and accuracy - a couple of mega light ticks around 6 minutes but so quiet you could easily miss them. There are no clicks or pops and no annoying background static either. Remember this vinyl is now just over 46 years old! The first verse carries on this fine form and plays with a clarity that is second to none and the second verse is just as impressive. The sax section basically plays like it has never been played before and the long fade out has no background other than a couple of very minor ticks. I am tempted to grade this as Mint- but I will play it safe and say the intro is Near Mint+ and the rest as Mint- it is without question one of the finest versions I have ever listened to and to think this is a genuine A1/B3 first pressing!
'Welcome To The Machine' plays with sensational clarity from the get go with only a handful of mega light dust ticks on the intro. The opening vocal is 'as new' and from then onwards it plays to the same 'high end' standard. I am sure I will say this more than once but it is so rare to find an A1/B3 first press that plays with such brilliant sonic quality and so far there are literally no negatives! The instrumental section is flawless and the same applies to the second verse. The closing section plays with amazing clarity and the 'air raid siren' and 'audience' section have no background at all. A point of note - you can very clearly hear the faint double pop and cough on the final couple of grooves. This provides more evidence of just how impressive the clarity is here - so often this 'background' effect is lost in static or crackle but not here. This is undeniably a Mint- version - the warmth and depth of the music is STUNNING and this is clearly a record that has not been overplayed. Truth be told I'm not sure even the minus is required. What an incredible side!
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'Have A Cigar' on S2 plays with a stunning clarity, power and depth from start to finish. There is no background of any kind - every vocal and instrumental section plays with sublime precision. No need for a minus here this is Mint in every way.
As any Floyd collector the segue into 'Wish You Were Here' is so often beset with sound issues and yet this may well be the cleanest 'introduction' I have ever heard. The entire radiophonic section has just one static tick towards the end and a couple of barely audible dust ticks - the playback is amazing! And again you can easily hear the cough! I'm not joking I heard things here I have never heard before, that is a measure of the clarity here. The acoustic intro then plays to the same standard and the first verse is perfect. This classic continues to play with impeccable sonic quality and needless to say there is no intrusion on the audio. This is one STUNNING version the likes of which are rarely found today. The instrumental ending is 'as new' and overall a Mint- is more than deserved. Can't say I've heard many Mint- versions! Not to labour the point but the audio is absolutely incredible!
The 'wind' intro on 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part 2)' has just a hint of mega light static at the start and then has some light static ticks but only for a few seconds. This is very quiet and non-intrusive in my opinion and is still a superb listen! It soon disappears and then plays with great clarity once again. Gilmour's first solo section is breathtaking! The power and definition could not be any stronger and as the volume increases there is no distortion and once again I cannot praise the audio highly enough. The one verse and chorus play with immaculate precision and the first part of the closing instrumental is 'as new'. The segue into the next section is faultless and remember the audio is very quiet here. The remainder plays with a clarity that is again so impressive and I say that because I so often find this section has some background here and there. Not here though - this end section is pure audio perfection with no interference. A stunning finish. The intro may be Ex+ but the remainder has to grade as Mint it is that good.
In summary this is as close to a perfect A1/B3 first pressing that you will find. I always play every second of every track so as to provide that 'complete' grade and with this stunning album I have played many sections more than once. Put simply it plays with a clarity, depth and warmth that is exceptional in every way. There are no clicks or pops and whilst there are a small number of light ticks on the final track they are hardly intrusive and do not last long. There are so many highlights here i.e. practically the entire album! However, the sonic quality throughout S1 and the clarity during 'Wish You Were Here' really do stand out. The latter may well be the finest version I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. This album has been so well preserved down the years and as stated has only been lightly played in my opinion and only on high end equipment for sure. A STUNNING album and I am confident the winning bidder will be just as impressed as I am.
The Cover, Inner Sleeve & Postcard
The cover is in exceptional condition and for once has barely any of the marking or staining that you so often see. The front cover has just a minimal amount of fading near the top edge but this only faint. The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb shape with no rubbing/marking and as can be seen the corners have barely any wear. The opening edge is also is pristine condition. The front cover is very clean with only minimal fading as stated and has just one very minor crease near the lower right corner. The back cover is just as impressive if not better with hardly any fading around the edges. This cover has retained its 'whiteness' extremely well and still has its original shape and structure which can only mean it has not been handled very much over the last 46 years. It is definitely one of the best you will find today!
The lyric/picture inner (with three cut corners as per the first pressings) is in great condition with just three small compressed 'marks' near the top edge on the red veil side and minor creasing near the right corner on the same side. There are no side splits which makes a change. The original postcard is in fantastic condition with only a couple of the serrated edges having a tiny 'white' speck/rub.
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 814 // A - 1 / B - 3 // GLL 3 / GPM 1
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
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