There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Pink Floyd’s 1973 opus, Dark Side of the Moon, is one of the most iconic albums of all time. The Hipgnosis designed sleeve, A prism refracting white light into a rainbow on a black background, is in some cases more recognisable than the music itself. Even those who haven’t heard a note of Pink Floyd’s music will know what it is. Then, however, something different appeared on the market from Japan.
While details are somewhat scarce, is said that this alternative sleeve was created sometime in late 1977 or 1978 for Toshiba-EMI’s (TOEMI) mail-order only record club in Japan. These were a popular marketing tool in Japan at this time, and it is believed TOEMI wanted to expand their international artist repertoire through their club releases.
The unique sleeve artwork depicts a live stage scene from their 1977 Animals Tour, which adds to the narrative that this was released between 1977/78. The famous tan and red EMI label design also supports this date range. Further evidence in support of its record club origin is that there is very little on the sleeve or label that’s printed in English. The song titles, band name and album title of course, but very little else. The back cover is virtually all Japanese script. The lyric insert is similarly basic, albeit with English lyrics.
This is, without doubt, the rarest pressing of The Dark Side of the Moon, and it’s widely regarded to be the rarest Pink Floyd record never issued. This has sold as high as £3500, and is one of the ultimate investment pieces. Regardless of its origin and the divided opinion about when and why it was manufactured, there is no doubt about its authenticity and extreme rarity.
This article appeared in issue 25 of Long Live Vinyl magazine, available now
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PINK FLOYD The Dark Side Of The Moon (Out of print 2016 UK/EU remastered edition 180-gram black vinyl LP, the all-time Hall of Fame classic 1973 album expertly remastered from the original analogue master tapes by James Guthrie, Joel Plante &Bernie Grundman. Deluxe gatefold picture sleeve with two posters and two stickers inside, plus replica circular hype sticker and large info sticker intact on the outside, still factory sealed from new. This 2016 edition is now outof print, replaced by the new 2023 remaster) #Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
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PINK FLOYD More (1971 UK fourth issue of the 1969 13-track stereo vinyl LP on the two EMI box logo label with 'Gramophone Co' perimeter text, a fantastic soundtrack to Barbet Schroeder's exploration of drug addiction on the Balearic Island ofIbiza, starring Mimsy Farmer & Klaus Grunberg. The front laminated picture sleeve has the grey tinted image on the unlaminated back depicting the couple facing right. The sleeve has just light signs of shelfwear to the edges and a little discolouration to the back but the vinyl remains in excellent condition with few signs of play SCX6346)
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PINK FLOYD Wish You Were Here (2016 UK/EU remastered edition heavyweight 180-gram vinyl LP of their September 1975 classic album. The Hipgnosis designed picture sleeve and bonus postcard are concealed inside a black shrink-wrap, complete withthe George Hardie designed 'machine handshake' sticker on the front. One of the all-time greatest albums. Essential!) #Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
- Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon Live At Wembley 1974 - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $30.99, €28.99 (New Item) (arrived 09-Apr-2024 13:12)
PINK FLOYD The Dark Side Of The Moon Live At Wembley 1974 (50th Anniversary 2023 UK/EU limited edition 10-track LP, featuring Dark Side recorded live in its entirety at the Empire Pool, Wembley, London in 1974. Mixed by Andy Jackson andDamon Iddins for this anniversary release and pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Gatefold picture sleeve with original concept 1973 line-drawn cover artwork by George Hardie, plus two posters featuring designs by Ian Emes and Gerald Scarfe. Hype sticker & factory sealed. Highly recommended) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon - 50th Anniversary Remaster 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $30.99, €28.99 (New Item) (arrived 09-Apr-2024 13:36)
PINK FLOYD The Dark Side Of The Moon (50th Anniversary 2023 UK/EU limited edition 10-track LP, newly remastered for this special anniversary release and pressed on 180-gram heavyweight black vinyl. First released as part of The Dark Side Of The Moon 50th Anniversary Box Set, this is the first time that the new remaster of this classic album has been available separately. Gatefold picture sleeve with iconic original cover artwork and replicas of the original poster & sticker inserts. New hype sticker, factory sealed. Recommended) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Pink Floyd - The Wall - 2nd + Sticker - EX - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £60.00, $74.40, €69.60 (New Item) (arrived 11-Apr-2024 15:09)
PINK FLOYD The Wall (1979 UK 26-track double LP with picture labels, housed in the second edition glossy gatefold sleeve with brick outlines in blue & the band member names listed on the inside right panel, complete with the artist/title stickerattached to the front & card lyric inners. The sleeve shows general light shelfwear with a little discolouration whilst the vinyl has just the odd light surface scuff. Classic Floyd! SHDW411) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Pink Floyd - The Division Bell - 180gm - Japanese - 2-LP vinyl set - £295.00, $365.80, €342.20 (New Item) (arrived 12-Apr-2024 14:55)
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- Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - Barcoded - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £20.00, $24.80, €23.20 (New Item) (arrived 15-Apr-2024 15:33)
PINK FLOYD Wish You Were Here (Mid to late 80s UK issue of the classic 1975 5-track LP, complete with lyric inner & postcard, glossy barcoded picture sleeve. The sleeve shows some foxing & the vinyl remains in excellent condition with few signsofplay SHVL814) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Pink Floyd - A Nice Pair - 3rd - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £25.00, $31.00, €29.00 (New Item) (arrived 16-Apr-2024 13:32)
PINK FLOYD A Nice Pair (70s UK third issue 18-track double LP repackaging of the classic albums, Piper At The Gates Of Dawn & Saucerful Of Secrets, with 'EMI Records' label perimeter text, gatefold picture sleeve with artwork inners. The sleeve shows only light edgewear and the vinyl is in near as new condition SHDW403)
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PINK FLOYD Ummagumma (1977 UK third issue of the 1969 9-track double LP with 'EMI Records Ltd' perimeter text & EMI logo on the labels, front laminated gatefold 'Gigi' picture sleeve. The sleeve is Very Good [small thumbnail split to the inside panel] & the vinyl is clean & remains in Excellent condition with just a few faint cosmetic signs of play SHDW1/2)
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