The Dark Side of the Moon A3 / B2 (First Pressing - Solid Blue Triangle)
This highly collectable album plays to a wonderful standard for the vast majority.  The A3/B2 pressing is actually a lot rarer than the A2/B2 one as nowhere near the same amount were pressed.  Just take a look at the pinkfloydarchives site.
The gatefold is in excellent condition but is of the black variety not the 'midnight blue'.  In fact it is a hybrid of the two really, certainly not dark blue but not as black as the later pressings.  This is not surprising when you consider it is one of the later 'solid blue' pressings.
The original posters and stickers are present as is the original black poly-lined inner.
SHVL 804 // A-3 / B-2 // GOH 3 / GAR 2
The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority / track 1 Ex- / track 5 intro Ex-)
The audio on Side Two is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority / track 2 ranges between Ex and Near Mint-)
The gatefold cover is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint
The original black inner is Ex+
The posters and stickers are Ex
Visual grading
This 'solid blue' vinyl is visually stunning and has been extremely well preserved over the decades.  It has a superb jet-black glossy sheen and at first glance looks 'as new' it is that clean!  There are only a small number of very faint hairlines and you have to look very closely in order to see them.  There are obviously no scratches or markings and it really is a lovely example of its kind.  I would also say it hasn't been over-played as there is not that much spindle wear.  There cannot be many that look as good as this.  The run out grooves and labels are also in exemplary condition.
Play grading
The 'heartbeat' intro on 'Speak To Me' has only light static and this has disappeared by the time you hear the ticking clock.  The following spoken section and the build up to the next track plays with superb clarity and overall this is a very impressive intro.
'Breathe' then plays with wonderful depth and there are no clicks or pops - no intrusive 'background' at all.  The clarity is stunning for a 'solid blue' pressing and there is nothing to detract from the fantastic quality of the audio.  The vocals are as clear as when the album was first released back in '73 and this grades as Near Mint if not better!
'On The Run' plays with incredible sonic quality i.e. the depth and definition of the audio is so strong and you can hear each note perfectly.  The only negative is one light click in the middle section.  The end section is amongst the 'cleanest' I have ever heard.  The 'bomb' has no distortion and the quiet 'running man' section has only a minimal amount of very light static and in no way is it intrusive.  There is just one further light click right at the end.
The intro on 'Time' is so clear and the clocks then chime perfectly and with no intrusion.  The following tick - tock / instrumental section has only the lightest of static in the background, something that is synonymous with this track I find.  Once the vocal begins the audio is 'high end' and there is no interference whatsoever.  The playback is stunning!  Gilmour's solo plays remarkably well and there is no distortion on the top end.  The remainder is of the same exacting standard and this really is a wonderful version of this all time classic.  With only minimal background static on the intro it is infinitely worthy of an Ex+ grading although the vast majority plays with Mint- quality and there is not a single click or pop.
'Breathe Reprise' is another fine example of a vinyl very well preserved, the clarity is exceptional, and the only interference is one very light click on the fade out.
The intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' begins very clearly but after a few seconds there is some minor static hiss.  It is largely non-intrusive but it does increase a little as you approach the 'vocal'.  No clicks or pops though.  The first vocal then plays with superb power and is 'as new'.  Wow!  The quiet vocal section that follows is hugely impressive and has only very light static in the background here and there.  It really is in the background!  This section is so 'clean' and even the super quiet end sequence plays with wonderful clarity.  The final long 'piano' note has no obvious 'background'.  This section provides a stunning end to the side.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Money' begins superbly and rarely have I heard the cash registers play with such clarity!  I heard only one very gentle 'tick' - it is a stunning start to the side.  The first two verses then play with immaculate precision, a couple of mega quiet static sounds only and in essence they play as well as they did 46 years ago.  The long instrumental section just has to be heard to be believed!  The saxophone section is 'as new' and the guitar solo is mind-blowing!  This is audio how it should be heard, this power and depth cannot be replicated by any other medium.  The entire section plays with astounding quality and easily grades as Near Mint of that I am certain.  What is impressive is that there is no distortion on the top end.  There is a minimal hint of static on the final verse but it is so much in the background as to be negligible.  The long spoken fade out plays extremely well with only a minimal static again.
'Us And Them' does have a little more static on the intro but try and find a 'solid blue' pressing that doesn't!  I only mention it so as to provide a comprehensive grading and it is only minor, totally non-intrusive, and the music still plays very clearly.  As the vocal begins the clarity is very impressive and has only minimal static in the background, there are no clicks or pops.  The first chorus is stunning and resonates with incredible depth and power.  There is just a touch more static on the next verse but again it is easy to live with and is largely non-intrusive in my opinion.  I notice it more because I sit very close to the speakers!  The next chorus is 'as new' and the remainder of this classic plays very clearly but with a little intermittent static.  There is 3/4 seconds of light crackle on the final verse and the final chorus ends the track with sublime quality.  Overall I would grade this as Ex although there are many sections that play better than that.
'Any Colour You Like' plays with wonderful depth from the outset and of course the bass is so strong here.  There is only the odd mega light static tick but certainly nothing that intrudes on the fantastic quality of the listen.  The vast majority plays with great clarity and again there are no clicks or pops.  For a 'solid blue' press the playback is extremely impressive, Near Mint in my educated opinion.  The end guitar section in particular is absolutely stunning.
The quiet intro on 'Brain Damage' is another example of a vinyl very well preserved.  There is only very minor background static and every note can be heard very clearly.  As the volume increases you cannot fail but be impressed by the definition of the sound.  There is no distortion and this first 'chorus' is 'as new', rarely have I heard better.  Thereafter there is barely any static and it continues to play with breathtaking quality until the end.  This isn't quite perfect but it's not far from it!  It is a stunning version and again the sonic quality is just so good.  This is a 'high end' Near Mint version and the end section, as per the vast majority of the track, is majestic!   'Eclipse' ends this classic album with fantastic depth and power.  I have listened to it twice and I am just astounded by the quality of the audio here.  As any Floyd collector knows this classic will regularly have some distortion but there isn't any here!  How rare is that?!  Turn it up loud and the music just encompasses the room with pure Near Mint audio - wow what a spectacular version.  The beginning of the 'heartbeat' ending is very clean but there is a touch more static as you approach the end, still not very much though!  This classic provides a suitably stunning end to this iconic album.
In summary this rare A3/B2 pressing plays with wonderful clarity and depth from beginning to end with very little interference.  And whenever there is some 'background' it is only minor.  There are only a couple of light clicks on S1 and none on S2 which is incredibly rare.  There is a little intermittent static but again this is largely non-intrusive and much of it does play to a near mint standard and quite often better.
The Gatefold
The gatefold is in excellent condition with only superficial wear really.  The top edges are very clean with only a minimal amount of rubbing and the bottom edges just have a little more.  The spine is also in great order with only a couple of tiny 'rubs' it could hardly look any better.  The corners do have some rubbing/creasing but is only minor and the opening edge has barely any handling wear, it is in great condition.  The front cover is very clean on the whole with some light fading around the edges and a small number of minor scratch lines that can only be seen when the cover is held at a certain angle.  The back cover does have some ringwear and a couple of scratch lines again but remains very clean with no obvious marking.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb shape with no fading/marking and only one minor 'nick' on the top edge.  Overall a highly creditable of this early press cover.
Original Black inner sleeve
This is a fine example of the original die-cut black poly-lined inner sleeve.  It has the patent numbers and 'Made in Great Britain' in silver text on one side and there are no splits at all, no marking and very little creasing.
The Labels
They are both super clean with no writing or marking and not too much spindle wear.  They have lost none of their original 'solid blue' colour and look great!
The Posters and Stickers
The posters are generally in excellent condition although the 'pyramid' one does have one small split along one of the folds and there is a little 'spotting' on the reverse side of each.  The 'CrackBack / FasPrint' stickers have some creasing but there is no marking or tears.

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 804 // A-3 / B-2 // GOH 3 / GAR 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

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 (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. 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!!