Pink Floyd : The Division Bell A2/B2 1st Press

This original first pressing from 1994 plays to a standard that is so rarely found today.  I won't say 'impossible to find like this' etc because that is clearly not the case but any avid collector would be extremely impressed with the clarity and depth of the audio on offer here.  The vast majority is stunning and there is barely any 'background'.

The previous owner told me that to the best of his recollection it was only ever played once and I have no reason to doubt him.  There is no spindle wear and having play tested every second the audio is superb. 

The iconic gatefold is in beautiful condition and is the 'cleanest' I have seen in many a year.  The lyric inner is also 'as new'.

8289841 // A - 2 - 2 - 1 / B - 2 - 1 - 1 // FLOYD - A & FLOYD - B etched on the run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 5 Ex+) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 5 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Near Mint+

The lyric inner is Mint
The labels are Mint

Visual grading

At first glance you would be mistaken for thinking this vinyl was pressed only yesterday!  It is visually stunning and still retains that immaculate glossy sheen that it had when first purchased.  On closer inspection I can only detect one very faint small mark on S2 and there are no hairlines or scratches at all.  There is no spindle wear on either side and there is even a little vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole confirming that it has hardly ever been on a turntable.  The run out grooves and labels are equally as good and remain in beautiful condition.

Play grading  

This is one of the most impressive versions of 'Cluster One' that I have ever heard.  As any collector knows this instrumental often plays with a fair amount of static/crackle but the audio here is absolutely stunning.  The intro is so 'clean' and it continues to play with wonderful clarity.  There is just a touch of light static in the middle section but aside from that it cannot be faulted and a Near Mint grade is an honest appraisal of the audio.

'What Do You Want From Me' more than keeps up this immaculate standard and with only the bare minimum of barely audible static on the intro this is Mint- I am pleased to say.  There is no interference at all.

'Poles Apart' is very similar and following on from my original statement it is clear this record has hardly been played.  There is only minimal static during the instrumental interlude and this lessened considerably after three plays.  The remainder plays with superb clarity and definition and the fade out is sublime.  The vast majority is Mint- with the instrumental grading as Near Mint- in my opinion.

'Marooned' again plays to a standard that you so rarely hear.  With only the lightest of static on the intro the audio from then on is 'crystal clear' with a clarity that is so impressive.  It is undeniably Near Mint although the majority is far better than that!

'A Great Day For Freedom' in the main plays with great clarity and the only 'background' is a few seconds of static at the end of the first chorus and into the following verse.  It certainly isn't loud and is non-intrusive in my opinion.  The remainder plays with exceptional clarity but with one light click in the next chorus.  I am sure this is a manufacturing 'defect' as there is nothing on the vinyl to explain it.  The majority of this track does play with Near Mint quality but I will grade as Ex+ due to the imperfections mentioned.

The classic 'Wearing The Inside Out' ends the side with spectacular audio and I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays!  The clarity and sonic quality is as good as when first released 25 years ago and from start to finish there is no interference of any kind.  A Mint version if ever there was one!  The fade out also plays with sublime quality which gives another indication of the clarity on offer here.

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'Take It Back' on S2 has barely any static on the intro and then plays with superb audio for the remainder.  There is no interference and the mid instrumental section also plays very clearly.  There is one static sound near the end and just a hint of static on the fade out but Mint- is deserving here.

The intro on 'Coming Back To Life' is another example of a beautifully preserved vinyl.  There is no real intrusion and it's only when the vocal begins that there is a minimal amount of static.  Hey this is vinyl!  It is minor and does not intrude on the quality of the listen and soon disappears anyway.  As the percussion 'kicks in' the audio is 'as new' and it continues like this to the very end.  I would grade this as Near Mint overall.

The intro on 'Keep Talking' again plays with stunning precision and the definition of the audio throughout is breathtaking.  Wow!  The clarity and power is faultless and Mint- is no exaggeration.  This is audio of the highest order and would impress any avid collector.  There is just a little static literally at the end of the fade out.

'Lost For Words' plays superbly from the very first groove.  This is rare as so often this quiet intro has some intrusive static/crackle but that is not the case here.  The playback is so clean and it continues in this way to the very end.  Each note can be heard perfectly and Mint- is again a fair and honest assessment.

The segue into 'High Hopes' is nigh on perfect and the 'bells' and 'wildlife' can be heard so 'cleanly' and with barely any static.  There is some static as the piano comes in but the music can still be heard very clearly and once the vocal begins the audio is stunning.  It continues in much the same way and there is absolutely nothing that detracts from the audio quality.  The mid instrumental section is 'as new' and on the following quiet 'bells' / piano section there are only a couple of static sounds.  The remainder plays with fantastic clarity and depth and the end solo is so strong and has no distortion. The fade out is near perfect with next to no static.  The 'bells' are again so clear and there is only a little static right at the end as you would expect.  I think this classic deserves a Near Mint- grading as there is no obvious intrusion on the audio and the playback is very impressive indeed.

In summary this genuine first pressing plays with wonderful clarity and definition and the vast majority is 'as new' of that I am confident in saying.  1990s vinyl was not produced to the highest of standards as it was somewhat of a dying medium but due to the fact that this record has been hardly played and so well preserved over the last quarter of a century (can't believe it's that long!) the playback is stunning.  With only one light click on S1 and the bare minimum of static the clarity and definition of the audio can hardly be faulted.  As can be seen the gatefold is also in fantastic condition, it has obviously hardly ever been touched, and the same applies to the lyric inner.  A superb 'high end' package overall and as we all know it is rare to find a first pressing as immaculate as this today.

The Gatefold

In a word - stunning!  This is as close to perfect as you will find and the only wear is a small 'rub' on the bottom edge of the cover.  It really isn't obvious and aside from that and one mega tiny rub on the same edge this is pristine.  The other edges are in fantastic shape and the wide spine is as 'clean' as the day when first purchased 25 years ago!  The corners and opening edge have no shelf wear and the front and back covers are just perfect.  The inside is also immaculate and the colour remains strong and vibrant throughout.  This is a wonderful example of this iconic cover and one which any avid collector would be very impressed by.  They don't get much better than this!

The Lyric Inner

The lyric inner with the thumb notch is pristine with no creasing or marking and no edge or corner wear.  Stunning!

The Labels

They are both 'as new' with no marking or writing and no spindle wear.  Could not be any cleaner!

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

8289841 // A - 2 - 2 - 1 / B - 2 - 1 - 1 // FLOYD - A & FLOYD - B etched on the run out grooves

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

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