Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (SHVL 804) First Press UK Solid Blue Triangle

	£		281
	$		372

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ARTIST: Pink Floyd

TITLE: Dark Side of the Moon

LABEL: Harvest/EMI (Solid Blue Triangle)

Made in Gt. Britain: E.M.I Records (? The Gramophone Co. Ltd.) Hayes · Middlesex · England

Media Condition: Excellent  (VG+) 

Sleeve Condition: Excellent  (VG+) 

Insert(s) Condition: Excellent (EX)

Genre:  Popular Music - Rock

Sub-Genre: Progressive Rock

Speed:  33RPM

Record Size: (12 Inch)

MOTHER STAMPER GD A VERY EARLY HIGHLY COLLECTABLE COPY. GREAT CONDITION AND 100% GENUINE AND COMPLETE

NOTES

This is the original form of the release, it has solid light blue prism LP picture labels with silver lettering, later forms have an empty prism. It has a gatefold sleeve, and there are three known variations of the original blue-tinged sleeve - see below.

Originally delivered with 2 posters and 2 stickers. 

There are 2 systems for track numbering on the release. The cover lists the titles A1 to B5 (used in this submission). The labels however number the tracks from (a) to (i) so, for example, "Breathe" is listed as "(a)(II)" on the label but "2" on the cover (see images).

The following is a guide to identifying ALL of the elements that make up the FIRST pressing:

1. The label has a solid light blue prism. Subsequent pressings have a blue glowing inner edge prism with the centre black.

2. 'The Gramophone Co.' text starts at 10 o'clock on label.

3. A-2/B-2 matrix stamps appear in the runout area.

4. Thick heavyweight vinyl believed by some to be the 'finest' and most true encapsulation of this historical recording as the first pressing was pressed direct from the original master-plate. 

5. There is a distinct bluish tint/tinge in the black ink of the cover.

6. There are three known original sleeve variations. 1. The right front opening of the gatefold cover is sealed with the two sides glued together. 2. The right front opening of the gatefold cover is sealed with a fold over flap that is glued inside the opening. 3. The right front opening of the gatefold cover is not sealed. A known 2/2 matrix, 1 mother, G stamper copy came with (3), an unglued and non-'folded in' sleeve at time of release, which hints at the possibility that very first pressings did not come with glued flaps, which is where the poster and stickers were located.

7. Inner sleeve is a distinctive polythene lined die cut black semi matt paper with white printed text stating 2 patent numbers bottom left [1125555/1072844] and 'MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN' bottom right.

8. Posters and stickers were printed on paper stock that has a rough texture (later pressings used paper that was gloss laminated). 

9. Stickers have printed backs with diagonal lines across them, and the words 'Fasson' 'FasPrint' and 'Crack-Back'.

10. First copies came with a small round sticker white text on blueish black stating 'Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon' 

This first edition was initially pressed by ? The Gramophone Co. Ltd., from July 1st, 1973 by its legal successor, EMI Records Ltd. at the same plant.

International E.M.I. catalog number 1E 064 o 05249 appears in small fonts and parentheses on the cover rear.

Note on Credits:

Though credited for the entire album, Barry St John, Doris Troy, Lesley Duncan, and Liza Strike perform backing vocals only on tracks A4, B2, B4, and B5.

OTHER IDENTIFIERS FOR FIRST PRESSES

• (Label A): SHVL 804A
• (Label B): SHVL 804B
• Matrix / Runout (Runout A, stamped): SHVL 804 A-2
• Matrix / Runout (Runout B, stamped): SHVL 804 B-2
• Matrix / Runout (Both Run-outs: Mother number at 9 o'clock): 2
• Matrix / Runout (Both Run-outs: Stamper at 3 o'clock): G (or higher); Side1: GD, Side 2: 1.1
• Inner Sleeve:  (Printer date/format code, gatefold inner): ? 7303 TPS
• Inner Sleeve:  (Patent No.s on inner sleeve): 1125555 1072844

DESCRIPTION

COVER

Original non laminate still has a bright sheen, it can only be described as Very Good No tears or rips to the cover, only some minor creasing, and at the corners, and the usual obligatory edge and spine wear and ring/stowage wear that this album inevitably suffers. Nothing to detract from it's superlative condition for an album that is not 'Brand-New"

INNER SLEEVE

Original silver printed black Inner Sleeve is immaculate..simply pristine.

LABELS

Pristine condition (Both Sides) with very minimal spindle marking and minimal factory creasing conversant with a record that has been very carefully handled by it's previous owner(s).

INSERTS

Supplied with all correct livery 2 x Posters (EX), 2 x Stickers (EX)

DISC

Both Sides are visually graded to a minimum of Very Good (VG) We NEVER list a record we know/suspect has been played as Mint. Only a few very slight surface marks/blemishes just visible without the aid of a bright LED light. Under light there are further signs of usage but nothing is audible. The record plays through it's entirety impressively, no jumps, no skips or clicks, in-fact there are hardly even any pops whatsoever, hardly any amount of surface noise, remarkable as this particular first pressing is well renowned for it's surface noise, especially during the quieter passages and intro/fade-out. This DOES NOT, certainly no more than any other not brand new (MINT) record. It is, quite simply sublime. The record plays immaculately, and even after several intensive fault finding plays I can honestly say that nothing effects the quality of the play. This copy really is a wonderful example and a worthy foundation stone to any collection. The sound quality, depth of sound and low amount of surface noise make this highly collectable, indeed very rare. The album emits a glow of almost 3D coloured sound. The stereo imaging is superlative, and many, many passages are clarified such as the sound crew talking and even the spoken words of Doris Troy as the crescendo drops on 'Great Gig in the Sky'…it is as if all the blanks (formerly incoherent asides) are filled in, I'm sorry if this seems a little hyperbolist, but it really does, so much more is audible from the first press (especially this incredibly well preserved copy) over any later reissue, or even any other format including all the digital bastardisations of this, Floyd's analog stereo masterwork. The difference between this and my same year (1973) A3 B3 pressing is night and day, as is that to a much later '78 repress. The materials used for the first pressing run are considered superior to those of later copies, and the nearer the stamper number to the mother in effect gives a more accurate detailed pressing. Anyway, yes it is a great copy of a much loved classic. We have a lovely Record/Coffee Shop here in Lynton, Devon. however, please don't take my word for it (I'm biased- a lifelong Floydite and Vinyladdict) come in and listen to it with us, by appointment please, and…if yer nice… we may even let you take it home?

This record is not mint, if it were it would sell for 1500+ GBP, it does have minor surface blemishes/marks but these DO NOT effect play in any way.

This record is advertised elsewhere and may be removed from auction at any time.  It can be made available at our North Devon Shop for a private viewing by appointment.

90% OF OUR RECORDS ARE SOURCED FROM PRIVATE COLLECTIONS,  WE CAN OFFER DISCOUNTS  FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES, AND ON DELIVERY COSTS, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR OTHER LISTINGS. 

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US.

Vinyl Lounge 

Castle Hill 

Lynton 

North Devon 

EX 35 6JA 

Tel: +44 07807 006460 

email: c17oky@gmail.com

RECORD GRADING

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.

WE ONLY LIST RECORDS GRADED VERY GOOD OR BETTER

All our Records are supplied with a Heavy Grade 'Collectors Quality' PVC Outer Sleeve and the record will be removed from its original inner sleeve and placed into a Spin Care Premium Japanese Hikari 12" Anti-Static Inner Vinyl Record Sleeve for posting.

POSTAGE

UK Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day

Word-wide International Door to Door Courier

Please ask for postage quote before payment. Thank You.

• Valuable items need to be sent on a registered service with insurance. 
• Insurance for valuable items may increase the postage cost. Please await your final value invoice before making payment. Thank You.
• Please provide a contact telephone number and email address for the courier to contact you with the delivery time and date. All item(s) over 50 GBP will only be despatched after we receive this information.
• No partial refunds. If your item(s) is not exactly as described you can return it for refund. The item(s) should be returned in the exact same condition as when posted to you. The buyer pays the return postage cost. It is always our policy to describe our product as accurately as possible to prevent any disappointment. Our customers are our highest priority and we try to resolve any such issues through dialogue, before opening a case please contact us.

         Thank You.