Vinyl: PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 1st UK PRESS SOLID BLUE PRISM OUTSTANDING AUDIO A2/B2 ORIGINAL BLACK INNER, STICKERS FULLY MATT POSTERS

Despite the claims of the sellers, most copies of Dark Side of the Moon for sale on ebay do not have the original posters and stickers. In particular, finding copies of the original fully matt posters is very hard, with the vast majority being offered with glossy posters from later issues.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a 100% original first UK pressing of Dark Side of the Moon complete with

• original blue tint (midnight blue) cover
• original black poly-lined inner sleeve
• two original stickers
• two original posters

and with solid blue prisms on the labels and the first press matrix numbers, as follows:

Side 1: SHVL 804 A-2

Side 2: SHVL 804 B-2

The stickers and posters are guaranteed originals (and not substituted from later issues like most copies on ebay). The stickers are early Crack Back permanent stickers; the posters are printed on fully-matt paper (fully matt front and back) and so are the absolute earliest.

Detailed description

Posters: These are the original, very early matt posters (fully matt both front and back). These original posters have never been hung so there are NO pin-holes, sellotape, blu-tac marks etc and both posters are complete and intact, and in superb condition with almost no signs of handling. The only indication that they are 44 years old is some age-related discolouration to some of the back panels but the picture side on both posters is immaculate. These fully matt posters are scarce in any condition but finding them as good as this is very rare and I think it would be very hard to find a better pair.

Stickers: First pressings of Dark side of the Moon can be found with two types of stickers: either with just the word PERMANENT printed on the back, or with Fasprint Crack-Back permanent stickers as found with this copy (later Crack-Back removable stickers are often substituted when the original stickers are missing). This original pair of stickers are unused and in very nice condition.

Inner sleeve: Original black poly-lined inner sleeve with patent numbers and ‘Made in Great Britain ’ printed on one side. It has minor storage creases, but is generally in superb condition with no splits or tears.

Vinyl: The vinyl looks great and has retained its original sheen with very little to see in normal light. Under bright, direct light all I could see were some hairlines and sleeve-removal marks etc, but there is nothing bad anywhere. I have played the entire record and it sounds superb with no major issues. I have listened to many first pressings of Dark Side of the Moon over the years and this is certainly among the very best I've heard. It plays with minimal background noise and no distortion and would have play-graded around Excellent plus (Ex+), close to Near Mint (NM), except for about a dozen clicks on side one (two in the last line of 'Breathe Reprise' and then the segue/intro to 'Great Gig in the Sky') and a similar number on side two in 'Money'. But that was all and the rest of the album plays with outstanding audio and a crispness and clarity which is hard to find on first pressings of Dark Side of the Moon. (Needless to say, this copy does NOT feature the pressing flaw on 'Money'). Were in not for these two brief passages I would play-grade the whole album around Excellent plus (Ex+) to Near Mint (NM), but taking them into account I would still be happy to play-grade this album as a SAFE Excellent (Ex) with most of it better than that. This is a superb example and I think it would be hard to find a better one.

Labels: No significant issues, just spindle marking.

Cover: This is a well-above-average original 'midnight blue' cover (with factory sealed and folded left edge). It has no writing, splits, or stickers etc , and just light signs of use. Unlike most copies, there is very little ring-wear, and the front, back and inner gatefold all look great. There is some storage wear and scuffing to the edges and corners - the most prominent of which is on the rear top edge, the top spine corner and the bottom corners opposite the spine, (you can see all of these in the photos - use the zoom). However, there are no seam splits, and just tiny (2mm) corners splits at the opening corners, but there are no other issues, and this cover is much better than most I've seen.

Detracting features not covered above: None. A genuine first pressing which sounds excellent, and is complete throughout with superb, original posters and stickers is incredibly hard to find.

Please check out my other items and take advantage of reduced postage costs for multiple buys.

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Information about descriptions and gradings.
My items are always described accurately and fairly. I always do my best to point out any blemishes which might detract from the item and all photographs are of the actual item you will get. I am aware that different grading systems have different definitions and so I try as much as possible to describe items in plain English, rather than simply using gradings. Where gradings are given these are based on the UK RECORD COLLECTOR GRADING SYSTEM. This grading system differs from some other grading systems, in particular the Goldmine grading system. Please make sure that you are familiar with the UK record collector grading system before you bid.

Play-graded vinyl: Although I don't have time to play them all, I believe that records are for playing and so I try to play-grade records whenever possible. I always state in the listing if I have played a record prior to listing it. If I have play-graded the record I will usually only give a description of how the record looks (i.e. not a visual grading). The grading in the listing will be a play-grading and may be slightly different from the grading that the record would receive from a purely visual inspection. If I haven't play-graded the record, it will be given a visual grading.

Play-grading MONO records:Mono records and stereo records have different grooves. A stereo record produces a stereo sound via both lateral and vertical groove modulation whereas a mono record is not intended to produce any sound from vertical modulation. Playing a mono record with a stereo cartridge will create distortion because it is trying to pick-up the vertical (stereo) part of the signal, whereas this is not intended to be heard on a mono record and so is just noise. Using a pre-amp with a mono switch will eliminate the noise caused by vertical modulation leaving just the lateral groove signal which is how the record was intended to be heard. Based on the assumption that most people choosing to listen to a mono record will have the right equipment to listen to it, I play all mono records via a pre-amp with a mono switch. My play-grading is based on how the record sounds when played through a mono switch. If you do not have a mono switch on your amp or pre-amp you will be reproducing the noise from the vertical part of the signal and so the record will not sound as good. This is not any fault of the record, it is inherent to playing any mono record through a system that it was not designed for.

Visually-graded vinyl: A visual grading will identify physical flaws (such as scratches) and can help determine whether a record has been cared-for properly. I always do my best to give a fair assessment of any visible marks on the playing surface, but a visual grading will not identify noise or crackle caused by non-visible sources. Most of the records I sell are between thirty and fifty years old and so it is likely that there may be some background noise even if they look perfect. Please see Terms and Conditions below for my refunds policy for visually graded records.

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I have some very simple terms and conditions. Please read them and ensure that you understand them before bidding. Thank you.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• My items are fully guaranteed - if it is not as described you can return it for a full refund, including postage. Refunds for visually graded records which are returned based upon the buyer's assessment of the record's playgrade, will not include postage costs in either direction.
• Your bid is binding, so please make sure you have READ and UNDERSTOOD the WHOLE LISTING before you bid. I will not accept returns where the buyer has not read or not understood something which is stated/shown in the listing .
  
• I accept Paypal and postal orders (in UK Sterling GBP) for all purchases. I also accept cheques (in UK Sterling GBP) on orders OVER £50.
• Please pay for your item within three days of the auction closing. If you are intending to bid on other items and wish to pay when they have closed, please contact me to let me know. I reserve the right to cancel any transactions and offer the item to the second highest bidder if no contact or payment is made within three days.

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POSTAGE & PACKING

I care about the records I sell and believe that they need to be carefully and securely packaged to ensure that they survive their journey through the post. Vinyl is removed from the sleeve for posting and the contents will be protected with rigid cardboard stiffeners. Packages are labelled "Do not bend" and securely sealed with "FRAGILE" parcel tape.

I support the use of recycled materials and so I may sometimes use recycled packaging. If you wish your item to be sent in entirely new packaging please let me know before paying for it. Thanks.

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P&P charges

My P&P charges are 'totally transparent'. Please read below and if you have any questions about P&P costs please contact me BEFORE you bid. Thank you.

Sending items costs more than just the stamps on the package , but I try not to charge more for packing and posting your item than it actually costs me to do so. I need to cover the cost of packing materials, plastic sleeves, new inner sleeves (where applicable), transportation, fees and charges associated with sending the item (including fees incurred to receive the cost of postage and, where applicable, currency exchange) etc. To cover some of these expenses I add a nominal figure to the basic cost charged at the post office athough the actual cost to me is always higher than this. I do not view P&P costs as a means of making money.

To quote an exact cost for every LP is difficult because of the wide variance in weight (e.g. Abbey Road weighs around 230 grams whereas Led Zeppelin III weighs around 390 grams). But the majority of single LPs, when packed, will weigh around 550 grams and I have based my P&P rates on this.

Double LPs will be charged as two LPs, triple LPs will be charged as three LPs. Box sets etc will be charged according to weight.

If, when you receive your item, there is a significant discrepancy in your favour, please contact me and I will refund the difference.

UK P&P costs

I offer three UK services. I DO NOT offer 'click and collect', 'collection in person' or FREE postage, so please do not select these options if they appear in the invoice.

UK Standard service - sent using Hermes courier. One to three LPs = £3.45. Usually delivered within 3-5 days of despatch.

For more than three LPs please enquire before bidding.

UK First class recorded post. The cost for one to three LPs is £5.20. Usually delivered within one day of despatch.

For more than three LPs please enquire before bidding.

UK Special Delivery -Any order valued over £80 will be sent fully insured using Royal Mail Special Delivery (next day delivery guarantee) and the total cost of this will be £9.35 for one to four LPs and £12.00 for five or more LPs . Please wait for my invoice before paying.

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Airmail ( tracked and/or signed) to any country OUTSIDE the UK

Europe

First LP or 12" = £13.60, each additional LP or 12" add £2.20.

Rest of the world (anywhere outside Europe)

First LP or 12" = £17.50, each additional LP or 12" add £3.80.

Please note that overseas orders outside the EU need a customs declaration with the value of the package.

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If you have any queries please email BEFORE you bid.