Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon 1973 Harvest pressing SMAS-11163

Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon 1973 Harvest pressing SMAS-11163

Own a piece of music history with this original 1973 Harvest pressing of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. Featuring classic tracks like "Time" and "Money," this LP delivers the iconic sound and experience of one of the best-selling albums of all time. While the original poster and insert are missing, the vinyl and cover remain in good condition, making this a must-have for Pink Floyd fans and vinyl collectors!

Cover: VG (has seam scuff)
Inner Sleeve: Missing Original Sleeve and Poster
Record: VG (has scuff Marks)
SMAS-11163
We grade our records conservatively.

Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973 Harvest Pressing, SMAS-11163) is one of the most iconic and influential albums in rock history. Released on March 1, 1973, this album cemented Pink Floyd’s reputation as pioneers of progressive rock, blending philosophical lyrics with experimental soundscapes. The original Harvest pressing (SMAS-11163) is highly sought after by vinyl collectors for its superior sound quality and the prestige of owning an early edition of this landmark album.

Overview:

• Artist: Pink Floyd
• Album Title: The Dark Side of the Moon
• Release Date: March 1, 1973
• Label: Harvest Records (Catalog #: SMAS-11163)
• Genre: Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Notable Tracks:

1. “Time” – A powerful meditation on the passing of life, featuring one of David Gilmour’s most famous guitar solos.
2. “Money” – Driven by a distinctive 7/4 time signature, this track became one of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, critiquing materialism and consumerism.
3. “The Great Gig in the Sky” – A soulful, wordless vocal performance by Clare Torry, underscored by Richard Wright’s atmospheric piano.
4. “Us and Them” – A reflection on conflict and peace, set to a sweeping, cinematic arrangement.

Significance of the Harvest Pressing (SMAS-11163):

The 1973 Harvest pressing is among the first U.S. releases of The Dark Side of the Moon, and Harvest was Pink Floyd's primary label at the time. This early pressing is valued for its rich, analog sound and high production quality, capturing the depth and clarity of the album’s intricate instrumentation and engineering. The SMAS-11163 pressing is known for its gatefold sleeve, featuring the iconic prism cover designed by Hipgnosis, along with inserts like posters and stickers that came with many early editions.

Album’s Legacy:

The Dark Side of the Moon is one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 45 million copies worldwide. It’s widely regarded as a masterpiece of concept albums, dealing with themes of mental illness, mortality, time, and human experience. The album remained on the Billboard 200 charts for a record-breaking 741 weeks (14 years), and its influence on both rock and modern music is immeasurable.

Collectability:

The 1973 Harvest pressing is a highly collectible version of The Dark Side of the Moon due to its status as one of the original releases. The album's historical importance, coupled with the quality of the pressing, makes it a prized piece for both Pink Floyd fans and vinyl collectors alike. Its inserts, if intact, also add to its value.

Packaging:

The Harvest SMAS-11163 edition typically comes with the iconic black gatefold cover featuring the prism artwork, often accompanied by posters and stickers. Collectors often seek this edition for its complete packaging, and owning an original pressing gives fans a direct link to the album's groundbreaking release era.

For collectors, this 1973 Harvest pressing represents an essential addition to any serious vinyl collection, reflecting the artistic and cultural impact of Pink Floyd’s most celebrated album.

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading:

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.