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
Find more rare and collectable Pink Floyd titles on eil.com, and if you have any items to sell, please call us on 01474815099
eil.com… the world’s largest online retailer of rare and out of print vinyl, CDs and music memorabilia – since 1987
- Pink Floyd - Meddle - 2nd - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £20.00, $25.00, €23.40 (New Item) (arrived 02-May-2024 15:27)
PINK FLOYD Meddle (1978 UK second issue of the 1971 6-track LP with 'EMI Records' label perimeter text & EMI logo, featuring the epic classic Echoes, textured gatefold picture sleeve. The sleeve displays just a little light shelfwear with a bit of spine scuffing & the vinyl has just a couple of hairlines but remains in excellent condition SHVL795)
- Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother - Quad - 1st - UK - vinyl LP - £150.00, $187.50, €175.50 (Back In Stock) (arrived 26-Apr-2024 09:36)
PINK FLOYD Atom Heart Mother (Rare 1973 UK first press 5-track SQ Quadraphonic LP fully compatible with regular stereo setups, with 'Gramophone Co' label perimeter text. This earliest UK Quad pressing contains the 'drip' at the end of Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast continuing into the runoff groove, & comes housed in the original gatefold picture sleeve with the SQ logo top right & Quad series inner. A nice one previous owner example, the sleeve shows little of its age & the vinyl isNear Mint Q4SHVL781)
- Pink Floyd - Animals - Remastered 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $31.24, €29.24 (New Item) (arrived 23-Apr-2024 17:19)
PINK FLOYD Animals (2016 UK/EU 5-track remastered stereo LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl, their tenth studio album originally released in January 1977. Gatefold picture sleeve with the original and legendary 'Battersea Power Station - Flying Pig' cover artwork, large hype sticker & factory sealed)
- Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon - 50th Anniversary Remaster 180 Gram - Sealed - UK - vinyl LP - £24.99, $31.24, €29.24 (New Item) (arrived 23-Apr-2024 17:21)
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 - Delicate Sound Of Thunder - EX - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £95.00, $118.75, €111.15 (New Item) (arrived 24-Apr-2024 13:07)
PINK FLOYD Delicate Sound Of Thunder (1988 UK 14-track double vinyl LP which was recorded live over five nights at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York in August 1988. Complete with illustrated credits inners, the gatefold picture sleeve shows a little edge scuffing & corner creasing, whilst the vinyl remains in excellent condition with just light cosmetic scuffs to show for its age EQ5009)
- Pink Floyd - Ummagumma - 2nd - EX - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £35.00, $43.75, €40.95 (New Item) (arrived 24-Apr-2024 14:11)
PINK FLOYD Ummagumma (1969 UK second press 9-track double LP with 'Gramophone Co' perimeter label text & EMI boxed logos, front laminated gatefold 'Gigi' picture sleeve. The sleeve shows a little light ring wear scuffing & the vinyl remains inExcellent condition with minimal play SHDW1/2)
- Pink Floyd - Relics - 1st - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £75.00, $93.75, €87.75 (New Item) (arrived 25-Apr-2024 08:58)
PINK FLOYD Relics (1971 UK first issue 11-track Stereo compilation LP featuring a collection of early singles, B-sides, album tracks & the previously unreleased recording 'Biding My Time', textured picture sleeve with artwork by Nick Mason. The sleeve shows just light shelfwear with some foxing & despite foxing to the labels, the vinyl remains in excellent condition with few signs of play SRS5071)
- Pink Floyd - The Wall - 1st + Sticker - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £595.00, $743.75, €696.15 (New Item) (arrived 25-Apr-2024 16:08)
PINK FLOYD The Wall (1979 UK 26-track double vinyl LP with picture labels complete with card lyric inners & title sticker, gatefold picture sleeve which does not list the band member names inside. Both the sleeve & vinyl are astoundingly Near Mint. An album that no collection should be without! SHDW411) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
- Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother - Quad - 1st - UK - vinyl LP - £150.00, $187.50, €175.50 (New Item) (arrived 25-Apr-2024 16:09)
PINK FLOYD Atom Heart Mother (Rare 1973 UK first press 5-track SQ Quadraphonic LP fully compatible with regular stereo setups, with 'Gramophone Co' label perimeter text. This earliest UK Quad pressing contains the 'drip' at the end of Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast continuing into the runoff groove, & comes housed in the original gatefold picture sleeve with the SQ logo top right & Quad series inner. A nice one previous owner example, the sleeve shows little of its age & the vinyl isNear Mint Q4SHVL781)
- Pink Floyd - The Wall - 1st + Sticker - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £595.00, $743.75, €696.15 (Back In Stock) (arrived 26-Apr-2024 09:36)
PINK FLOYD The Wall (1979 UK 26-track double vinyl LP with picture labels complete with card lyric inners & title sticker, gatefold picture sleeve which does not list the band member names inside. Both the sleeve & vinyl are astoundingly Near Mint. An album that no collection should be without! SHDW411) #Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time
Be the first to comment