Atom Heart Mother 1G/1G

The audio on this first pressing is stunning in every way and plays practically as new.  The labels have no EMI logo and this is one of the earlier first pressings in that the 12th stamper has been used for S1.

Matrix numbers : SHVL 781 // A-1G / B-1G // Stampers GR 1 & PA 2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (the majority is Mint / one 10 second section is Ex)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (the majority is Mint)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

This vinyl is visually stunning and it retains a stunning glossy sheen as if it was only pressed yesterday.  Both sides are immaculate apart from two small hairlines on S1 that have no affect on the audio.  There is some spindle wear but this vinyl has been so carefully handled down the years the amazing quality of the audio has not deteriorated in any way.  Put another way it is the cleanest looking 1G/1G first press I have ever seen...or heard for that matter!

Play grading  

The classic title track has immaculate audio and in all my years of collecting and selling I have never heard a genuine first pressing play with such breathtaking sound.  The clarity is of the highest calibre possible and the lack of any obvious interference is rarely found today and even the intro has barely any 'background'.  Of course there are so many quiet sections on this side and yet they all impress with the same warmth and depth.  There are a few light 'ticks' near the half way point but they do not detract from the superb clarity of the audio and that is the only 'background' of any note.  In my opinion it would be extremely difficult to find a better first pressing than this and the majority of S1 plays as Mint the quality is just stunning.  There is no distortion and certainly no intrusive crackle.  The power and depth of the audio is mind-blowing and I reiterate I have never seen or heard a more distinctive first pressing.  

'If' on S2 plays remarkably well with only very light sporadic static but remember I'm listening out for any imperfections and this static does not mar the listening enjoyment.  It is very much in the background and is limited mainly to the first half of the track.  It still plays with fabulous clarity and there is certainly no crackle or clicks etc.  'Summer 68' is a stunning highlight and the audio is immaculate from beginning to end.  This vinyl is approaching 50 years old and yet this track practically qualifies as Mint the audio is that good.  Wow, what a stunning version!  'Fat Old Sun' plays equally as well.  The bells at the start ring perfectly with no background, how rare is that?  The remainder of the track plays with perfect audio and even the fade out is near Mint with a couple of dust ticks only.  Again you can easily hear the bells ring which - this is so often lost in the mix on vinyls that do have interference.  'Alan's Psychedilic Breakfast' is as close to Mint as you will find.  Again there are so many quiet passages but they all play with the same astounding clarity and has no interference worthy of note.  I think I heard only a handful of mega light dust ticks during the playback.  Your ears have to be next to the speakers in order to hear them!  This is audio of the highest standard and is a superb end to a classic album.

In summary this is a final upgrade, archive copy for certain.  For a 1G/1G first press the audio is impeccable and except for one 10 second section on S1 this grades as Mint almost all the way through.  This will no doubt command a lot of interest and so it should!

Gatefold

This is an excellent example of the 'first press' G&L gatefold.  The edges are very clean with very little shelf wear and the spine remains 100% legible with only minor wear on the corners.  The right hand corners of the gatefold have only light rub wear and the opening edge has no handling wear whatsoever.  The front cover is in excellent order with only a couple of small marks top left and an even smaller 'white' mark top right.  The inside is in immaculate condition and of course has printed in the lower left corner "7010 TPS Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd Patent no 943,895 SHVL 781".  The back cover is exceptionally clean with only a light thin line mark towards the top.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined Harvest sleeve has no splits, just some light creasing.  The catalogue number of the album is written in pen on one side.

The labels

The yellow/green Harvest label with no EMI logo have a little spindle wear only and a small number of yellow spots on each side.

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

Matrix numbers : SHVL 781 // A-1G / B-1G // Stampers GR 1 & PA 2

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 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 £6.00. 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 (Second Class)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

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

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 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!