Pink Floyd dark Side Of The Moon . Uk 2nd Press. Gramophone Rim Text. Superb Lp

Released in 1973, this is the genuine UK 2nd pressing with the The Gramophone Co Ltd text around the rim of the label.

Now this is where it gets really interesting. Using as my reference, the superb Pink Floyd Archives website, compiled and maintained by the wizard of Floyd, VERNON FITCH.

The UK 2nd press is identified in several ways. ALL 2nd presses have the Gramophone Co Ltd on the labels, starting in the 10 o clock position, printed clockwise. That is the one defining criteria. Then it gets messy. It could be an A2/B2 copy, without the solid blue triangle. It could also be an A3/B2 or even an A3/B3. So long as it had that text, which on the 3rd press reverted to EMI text instead. 2nd presses have been found with black AND blue covers. Black and white inner sleeves, so the out and out deciding factor is that Gramophone text.

On the website I mentioned, Vernon has stated that copies exist with no numbered matrices. Just A and B. He notes that these are around for the 1st solid blue triangle presses and also the 2nd Gramophone Co Ltd presses. He speculates that these were pressed overseas. Many most actually people think they were pressed in the UK and shipped for the Scandinavian markets. I do not know for sure.

Here is what I DO know.

This has the matrices hand etched SHVL804 A and SHVL804B. The cover is midnight blue in colour I have photo d it with a black later copy to show the difference . The inner sleeve is the correct black die cut sleeve with print in grey as my photos show. The postcard stickers are both Fasprint permanent crack back. So this has everything in place to pretty much ensure that this is indeed a UK 2nd pressing. After that it is pure guesswork. A2/B2? A3/B2? or A3/B3?

Nobody will ever know for certain, just that it IS a 2nd press.

History lesson over

I have been given a huge Pink Floyd collection of over 150 albums plus assorted memorabilia to sell. This is a truly rare and unusual pressing. I have seen the solid blue triangle A/B pressing, I have one up for sale right now. I have never seen an A/B 2nd press in my life. This has the most beautiful vinyl. Not a mark. Deep black gleaming sheen and lustre. The record has been FULLY play graded and it is immaculate. The whole album plays almost silently. No noise, clicks, ticks, skips or sticks. One label has no spindle marks, the other has 3. This have barely ever been played by the looks of it and seriously it could have come out of a record shop just today. The sound quality is absolute top drawer and the cleanest copy I have EVER heard. The winner will be pretty amazed I am sure.

Cover has light wear and tear, grades VG . The inner has separated from its poly lining, but it is all there, grades VG.

The posters have light age discolouration, are on a less glossy paper than later copies and have no tape marks or pin holes. Grade as VG . The stickers are fine. Yellow one is almost perfect Ex and the dark one has the usual creases from being trapped in the hinged cover VG .

So quite a rare album with the most sensational vinyl. I am sure this will be appreciated and wanted by all the Floydies out there. Not seen one come up for sale before. A rare gem.

Please check out my other items for sale. I have some rare and highly collectable Floyd titles coming up as time permits. These will include 1st UK presses of many Floyd titles, including the solid blue triangle A2/B2 I have 5 amongst others.

If you need a specific album play-grading, please let me know and I shall try to oblige.

So a 100 genuine 2nd UK pressing. All genuine and original parts. Nothing mixed and matched from later copies. I do accept returns if this is not an accurate description or if it does not play as I believe it will do by my strict assessment.

Please check out my feedback as a seller of high end collectable vinyl. My packaging is extremely robust and second to none.

If you have any specific questions or require more photos, just let me know. Nothing is too much trouble, believe me.

Postage is Royal Mail 1st class signed for within the UK. I am charging just 5, less than it actually costs me. Bidders from abroad will be delivered through the Ebay Global shipping programme , which is not cheap, but it covers all import/export paperwork and insurance. I do not profit on postage as many do, and all packaging including a new heavy duty polythene cover and anti-static inner sleeve is free.

Any bids from Russia, Belarus or Ukraine will be cancelled.

Good luck if you decide to bid on this. Many many sellers on Ebay claim in their listings how rare an album is, even a bog standard copy of this album, however this A/B copy is desirable due to its early pressing and a worthy addition to a collection. Proved to be a genuine 2nd UK pressing due to the Gramophone Co Ltd text around the labels. 3rd pressings onwards had text that starts with EMI . Also with original midnight blue outer cover and black inner sleeve, posters and cards. This is the real deal.