ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO FAKE PINK FLOYD PICTURE DISCS/COLOURED VINYL

Look at eBay, other auction sites, and some online retailers, and you will find a huge number of unusual and in many cases, visually striking Pink Floyd picture discs and coloured vinyl releases.

The majority of these command high prices, and, more importantly, most are fakes, counterfeits or bootlegs, pressed illegally, and made without the knowledge and approval of the band or their record company. The quality of some of these (even the music pressed onto the vinyl) often leaves a lot to be desired!

With the help of our friends Stefano Tarquini, who runs the Mr Pinky Vinyl Encyclopedia, and Ingo Brode, we are pleased to bring you this guide to these releases.

Hopefully, it will save you some money, or at least mean you go into a transaction knowing the truth about the record's origins and unofficial nature. The way that many of these are presented by the sellers, misleads the public, as they ALL tend to be offered as genuine items!

But first, a little clarity in the terms used. According to most collectors, a "fake" is an unofficial reprint of an already existing pressing. A "counterfeit" is an unofficial pressing of an item that doesn't exist - but made to look genuine. The term "bootleg" is normally reserved for an item which contains outtakes or a live recording, and doesn't make an attempt to mimic an official release.

The waters are muddied a little with the people producing some of these, claiming that their item is a test or promotional pressing of a release which never reached the stores. This doesn't help the buyer making their way through the minefield of unofficial (or pirate!) releases.

Obviously these definitions are open to debate, but are presented here as a rough guide to the terminology.

Naturally, the list is always in evolution and if you know of other vinyl releases not shown here, please send full details and clear picture(s), and we will add them to the guide.

"THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN", U.K., Columbia Records,
CX-6157, mono reissue

The item started circulating on Ebay from July 2005, with the original Pink Floyd artwork and as a rare UK mono reissue, but it's a fake, without doubt... it's a bootleg.

The cover and the label are deluxe. The cover shows the classic Piper motif, with a band pic in psychedelic style; in the upper half is the EMI logo and the name "PINK FLOYD" is at the bottom center. The front cover shows a little square white sticker, that says "MONO VERSION"; the back cover is the same as the UK original issue, but with differences: there aren't the flipback borders, the catalog number is wrong, there is no copyright text in the bottom right, the cover is also laminated on the rear.

The label shows the classic Columbia motif, black and white letters, but the Columbia logo and the name "COLUMBIA" in the upper are yellow; below the word "COLUMBIA" is the text "SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS". In the centre, there is the additional number "(YAX 3419)", "(P) 1967" and a "1" on the left, the catalog number "CX 6157" and a "1" on the right, title and tracklisting in the bottom. At the bottom you see "THE PINK FLOYD", the text on the edge starts at 10 o'clock and says "The Gramophone Co., Ltd. All rights of the manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorized public performance, broadcasting, and copying of this record prohibited" in bold letters, centered at 6 o'clock is the text "MADE IN Gt. BRITAIN".

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 50 to EUR 80

"THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN", U.K., COLUMBIA-EMI RECORDS,
SGX 6157, picture disc

Known as a limited edition picture-disc, but is unofficial, made maybe in 2002, rumours says that it was pressed for promotional use, no cover was made; the record is circulating in a clear cover, one side shows the original cover motif from "The Piper at...", the other side shows the rear cover of the same LP, with title, credits and tracklisting.

Matrix-S1: PD 004 A
Matrix-S2: PD 004 B

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 40 to EUR 60

"THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN", Brazil, EMI RECORDS,
703106442901, picture disc

Known as printed in Brazil in 2004, it was circulating as a limited edition of 500 copies only, one side shows the original cover of "The Piper at..." with the text "PINK FLOYD" and the EMI-Harvest white logo in the upper, the other side shows a double-motif cover, with credits and tracklisting. No matrix-number.

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 40

"A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS", (U.K.), COLUMBIA RECORDS,
SCXP 6258-01, picture disc

Unofficial release made in 2002. One side shows the original motif from the "A Saucerful...." album by Hipgnosis, with the classic text "y d pinkfloyd", the other side shows the backcover motif from the UK album with a collage of others pics.

In the upper half is a Columbia logo and the text "E.M.I. RECORDS (The Gramophone Company Limited) HAYES-MIDDLESEX-ENGLAND" and "33 1/3 R.P.M." "Made and Printed in Great Britain", in the center is the title "a saucerful of secrets", the words "pinkfloyd" and the tracklisting on the left. On the right is a white square with the scancode "4 009906 625801" and credits as "All rights reserved", "Reproduction, unauthorized copying, lending and" "public performance prohibited", "limited edition made in the U.K.". "No. SCXP 6258-01". David Gilmour is listed as Gilmore.

Matrix-S1: SCXP 6258 A
Matrix-S2: SCXP 6258 B

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 40

"UMMAGUMMA", Brazil, EMI RECORDS,
040007-07801, picture disc

Sold as promotional issue, one LP, the tracks are from the "Ummagumma" UK issue studio disc.

Frontcover: original LP front cover with the Gigi album
Backcover : green original LP back cover with 10 b/w photos from the original LP inner sleeve, tracklisting.

The cover is a clear plastic bag with a sticker: Limited Edition.

The record was also released with a red or black rim.

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 40

"UMMAGUMMA", (U.K.), EMI RECORDS,
0009940070751, picture disc

Sold on Ebay as a limited edition made for the 30th anniversary of the LP. A single disc LP, the tracks are from the "Ummagumma" UK issue studio disc.

Frontcover: original LP front cover with the Gigi album
Backcover : brown original LP back cover, 4 negative photos in the upper half, and the tracklisting.

The cover is a clear plastic bag with a sticker: Limited Edition. The record was released with a red or black rim.

On Ebay there also appeared a special signed version by the four Floyds!

Scancode: 0009940070751

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 40

"ATOM HEART MOTHER", (Germany), EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
SHZE-297, picture disc

Found on Ebay for the first time in July 2005, a deluxe coloured cover, no gatefold, and laminated. It shows the original motif from the German Hor-zu issue; one side shows a special 1974 band four picture collage; the pics are from the 1975 song book. The other side shows another new collage with four band coloured photos, taken from the 1975 tour, and the credits.

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 80

"RELICS", (U.K.), EMI RECORDS,
EMD-1113, picture disc

It was circulating on Ebay as a limited promotional issue, one side shows the original cover from the 1997 remastered issue, with the title on the upper left, the other side shows a band pics collage, title in the upper, credits and tracklisting in the bottom. The tracklisting for side 2 is missing "The Nile Song".

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 60

"THE BEST OF THE PINK FLOYD", Netherlands, EMI-COLUMBIA RECORDS,
5C 054-04299, black or clear vinyl

Made in early 2005, it is the same as the Dutch version, but with different songs in different order. Same front cover with the band photo; in the upperleft is the title "THE BEST OF THE PINK FLOYD" in white letters, in the upper right a black EMI-Columbia logo and "STEREO". The back cover is the same as the original Dutch issue; in the bottom left is the tracklisting, and a text "Manufactured by Bovema - Heemstede - Holland". In the opposite corner is the text "AN HABO SLEEVE" and two marks, black Columbia label as the dutch LP with silver letters, in the center shows a oval Columbia logo on the left, the catalog number "5C 054-04299" on the right.

Includes an A4-sized insert with song lyrics and small cover photos from seven singles. The tracklisting is different than the original Dutch issue:

Side 1:
Arnold Layne
Candy and a Currant Bun
See Emily Play
The Scarecrow
Apples and Oranges
Paintbox
It Would Be So Nice
Julia Dream
 
Side 2:
Let There Be More Light
Remember A Day
Point Me At The Sky
Careful With That Axe, Eugene
The Nile Song
Ibiza Bar.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 60

"THE BEST OF THE PINK FLOYD", Netherlands, EMI-COLUMBIA RECORDS,
5C 054-04299, clear vinyl

Another fake, circulating in the same period, but issued on clear vinyl.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 70

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", (Germany), EMI RECORDS,
SHV 1046 TP, coloured vinyls

Circulating as a limited "Test Pressing" promotional release, it has a numbered white cover and several vinyl colours. We know of blue, marble blue, grey, green, clear green, purple, pink, and clear orange vinyls. It was made in Italy, but was sold as a German issue.

With a white front cover, we know it was released with a center hole and without a center hole; in the upper half is a 20cm x 4cm big coloured sticker with the prism motif, the title "PINK FLOYD" "THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", a white EMI logo, the text "MADE IN THE UK BY EMI LTD.", the number of the copy and the catalog number. In the right half of the sticker is the tracklisting, the word "33 RPM" and "PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY", the white EMI label was circulating as "FOR PROMO USE ONLY".

In the upper half is the title "PINK FLOYD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", in the bottom half is a great EMI word in gray-blue letters, the catalog number as "EMI", "LABEL COPY" SHV 1046 TP"; near the hole is the text "MADE IN THE UK BY EMI LTD./33 RPM" and a black EMI logo on the left and the side number on the right, the other side shows a big blue-green "2" in the centre. The song Eclipse is totally missing!

Matrix-S1: 068 1046602 A
Matrix-S2: 068 1046602 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 50

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", Germany, EMI RECORDS,
702438327001, picture disc

It was released as a limited edition for the 30th TDSotM anniversary, but was found on Ebay on January 2004. It shows a special collage motif, on one side shows both the original motif (the prism and the heartline, a little different as the original cover, in the side is also the title on the centre and the text "30th Anniversary 1973 - 2003" in the bottom; the other side shows a collage from the dvd on the right half and the tracklisting and credits on the left half. At the bottom is seen the scancode "7 024383 27001", and a double EMI-Harvest logo. The song Eclipse is totally missing!

Matrix-S1: 068 1046602 A
Matrix-S2: 068 1046602 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 50

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", Spain, EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
068 1046602, picture disc

It was released as a limited promotional issue; the record was released with a clear wrap cover with a sticker: Limited Edition.

The picture disc shows a white prism with coloured rays on one side, the pyramids on the other side, with the tracklisting and credits, the second side ends with "Brain Damage" and doesn't included "Eclipse", but it appears in the tracklisting. On the second side is also the S.G.A.E. logo and the EMI-Harvest logo.

Matrix-S1: 068 1046602 A
Matrix-S2: 068 1046602 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 80

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", (U.K.), EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
matrix: ?, picture disc

It's another unofficial issue, picture disc, released as limited edition, the side one shows the classic prism motif, but the prism in white, on the other side has the pyramids, no more details.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 80

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", U.S.A., CAPITOL RECORDS,
CR 1-017/01, picture disc

The date of 1993 appears on it, but it was released in 2002. The cover is not gatefold with a classic prism motif, but it has a "Radioactive Design Gimmix Cover". The backcover shows the prism with inverted coloured rays, in the upper left shows a double Capitol-Harvest logo, in the upper right is a white area with a scancode: "0 009998 101701" and the text "limited edition number CR 1-017/01". On the backcover are also the tracklisting and the release credits, with "Made in the U.S.A.",

the picture disc shows on one side the classic prism but with inverted coloured rays, on the other side is the same prism with the credits and the tracklisting. The song Eclipse is totally missing!

Matrix-S1: 068 1046602 A
Matrix-S2: 068 1046602 B

The record was also released with a red or black rim.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 60

"THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON", (U.S.A.), CAPITOL RECORDS,
CR 1-017/01, coloured vinyls

It was released in clear blue vinyl, blue vinyl, grey vinyl, yellow vinyl and marble pink vinyl. It was known as a limited promotional release; the cover has the classic prism motif, but the coloured rays are inverted, the back cover shows the coloured prism with inverted rays. In the upper right is the double Capitol-Harvest logo, in the upper left is a white codebar with the scancode "0 009998 101701" and the text "limited edition number CR 1-017/01".

On the back cover are the tracklisting and credits, with "Made in the U.S.A.", black label, in the upper shows the title "PINK FLOYD", "Dark Side Of The Moon"; in the centre is "(C) 1973 BIEM" on the left, "Side 1", "CR 1-017/01" on the right; in the bottom is the tracklisting, the Capitol logo and the text "AIRPLAY USE ONLY".

Matrix-S1: 068 1046602 A
Matrix-S2: 068 1046602 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 70

"WISH YOU WERE HERE", Germany, EMI RECORDS,
SHVL 814 TP, coloured vinyl

Issued as a limited, numbered promotional release in coloured vinyl, we know it was released on marbled blue vinyl, dark marbled green vinyl, clear green vinyl, pink vinyl and clear yellow-green vinyl. Some say that it was pressed in Italy.

The cover is blank with a coloured 20cm x 4cm big sticker at the top showing the title "PINK FLOYD", "WISH YOU WERE HERE" and "MADE IN THE UK BY EMI LTD" on the left, a black EMI logo and the number of the copy in the centre, a pic, the tracklisting and "33 RPM", "PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY" on the right.

Matrix-S1: PFW - SHVLP - 814 A
Matrix-S2: PFW - SHVLP - 814 B

There are also some copies with a hole in the center pressed before the normal cover, blue-white label. The A-side shows the title "PINK FLOYD WISH YOU WERE HERE" in the upper, "MADE IN THE UK BY EMI LTD / 33 RPM" on the left and "FOR PROMO USE ONLY" on the right. On the label is also the EMI logo with the side number, in the bottom is the text "EMI", "LABEL COPY", "SHV 814 TP"; the other side shows a great "2" in the center, credits are on the edge.

Some copies were released with black covers, with the sticker in the upper and a hole in the center.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 50

"WISH YOU WERE HERE", (Germany), EMI RECORDS,
SUVLP 814B PLP, picture disc

Various combinations of different front and back covers:

30 Years Pink Floyd - 22 Years Wish You Were Here
Anniversary Edition · Special Limited Promotion Only Edition

1. Front cover = Original front cover motif
   Back cover = right-left reversed picture from Mono Lake
2. Front cover = Original front cover motif
   Back cover = Original front cover motif
3. Front cover = Original front cover motif
   Back cover = white
4. Front cover = right-left reversed picture from Mono Lake
   Back cover = right-left reversed picture from Mono Lake
5. Front cover = white
   Back cover = right-left reversed picture from Mono Lake
6. Front cover = white
   Back cover = white

• Front cover = white
  Back cover = right-left reversed picture from Mono Lake
• Front cover = white
  Back cover = white

There is also a small paperstrip and copied insert with picture disc motif:

Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here UK
Picture Disc"
TESTPRESSING
Limited Edition
10 copies ___ of 10

Price on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 80

"WISH YOU WERE HERE", (U.S.A.), CBS-SONY RECORDS,
30-AP 1875-01, picture disc

Released as a limited, but not numbered edition, with a "Radioactive Design Gimmix Cover" that completes the motif of the picture disc.

The picture disc has a yellow or a red rim. It shows the date of 1995, but was released at the end of 2003.

Not a gatefold cover; the front picture shows the burning man (UK version), with "PINK FLOYD" in the upper and "WISH YOU WERE HERE", "30AP 1875-01" in the bottom. The picture on the back shows the salesman.

The back cover has the scancode "000300187501" in the top left corner, with a text "limited edition number 30AP 1875-01", and CBS/Sony and a Capitol logo in the top right corner. In the center the photo of the salesman, tracklisting and the credits, with "Made in the U.S.A.", "CBS/SONY INC.".

Matrix-S1: PFW - SHVLP - 814 A
Matrix-S2: PFW - SHVLP - 814 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 25 to EUR 80

"WISH YOU WERE HERE", U.S.A., CBS-SONY RECORDS,
30-AP 1875-01, coloured vinyl

Sold as made in the USA, it was released in clear vinyl, pink vinyl, orange clear vinyl, marbled green vinyl, grey vinyl, light red vinyl, and blue vinyl.

Not a gatefold cover. It shows the burning man motif (European version); in the upper is "PINK FLOYD", in the bottom is "WISH YOU WERE HERE", the back cover shows the classic motif with the man without the face, in the upper is the title "WISH YOU WERE HERE" at the centre, on the right side shows the double black Capitol-CBS-SONY logo, on the left is a white codebar with the scancode "0 003000 187501" and the text "limited edition number 30AP 1875-01", the back cover also shows the tracklisting and credits on the left. In the bottom are more credits, and "(C) 1995 Limited Picture Disc Edition made under exclusive License from CBS/SONY Muscic Inc." and "Made in the U.S.A." "CBS/SONY INC.".

The black label in the upper is the title "PINK FLOYD", "WISH YOU WERE HERE", in the centre is the text "(C) 1975 BIEM" on the left and "Side 1 30AP 1975-01" on the right, in the bottom is also the tracklisting and the Capitol logo, with the text "AIRPLAY USE ONLY".

Matrix-S1: PFW - SHVLP - 814 A
Matrix-S2. PFW - SHVLP - 814 B

Prices on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 80

"DELICATE SOUND OF THUNDER", Brazil, CBS RECORDS,
177086-7, picture disc, 2 LP

It is a great fake, an unofficial double picture-disc, known as a promotional issue album. The cover is like the original gatefold cover, with a darker background, and the same pictures inside the cover, with live photos and tracklisting. The records show the four original inner motif, we don't know where it appeared first, but we know it exist only two copies, only one sold on Ebay.

In the last Vinyl Record Fair in Milan (October 2005), this fake was on sale with the price tag of EUR 3500.

Price on Ebay: from EUR 500 to EUR 2000

"ECHOES: THE BEST OF PINK FLOYD", (Germany), EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
7243 5 36111 3, picture disc

Maybe a German release, one LP. Side 1 shows the original motif with title, the other side shows a collage with several photos from the original CD booklet, scancode "0024353611103" and the tracklisting.

Side 1:
See Emily Play
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall (II)
Hey You
Marooned (segment)
The Great Gig In The Sky
 
Side 2:
Time
Breathe Reprise
Learning To Fly
Arnold Layne
Wish You Were Here
Jugband Blues

Matrix-S1: 536111P A
Matrix-S2: 536111P B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 50

"IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? - The Wall Live 1980-81", (Germany), EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
PRLP 7243 5 235622-0, picture disc

Single LP. The front picture shows the original cover with the four "The Wall" masks. The back picture shows a big live photo and 8 small photos, the tracklisting, and at the bottom, a scancode.

Tracks are from Earls Court, London, 1980-81:

Side 1:
Another Brick In The Wall (I)
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall (II)
Goodbye Blue Sky
What Shall We Do Now?
Another Brick In The Wall (III)
The Last Few Bricks
Goodbye Blue Sky
 
Side 2:
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Nobody Home
Comfortably Numb
The Show Must Go On
Outside The Wall

Matrix-S1: PRLP 7243 5235622 - 0 - A
Matrix-S2: PRLP 7243 523 5622 -0 B

There also exists a version with the original Pink Floyd artwork, but plays the Black Album from Metallica, catalog number: PRLP 7243 5 235622-0

Matrix-S1: PLP - 5100220 A
Matrix-S2: PLP - 5100220 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 20 to EUR 60

There's a further copy which has, on one side, Pink Floyd, and the other, Metallica. We have no further information on this one.

"IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? - The Wall Live 1980-81", (Germany), EMI-HARVEST RECORDS,
PRLP 7243 5 235622-0, coloured vinyl

Single LP. Released as a limited numbered edition in coloured vinyl: we know it has been pressed as turquoise marbled, gray-blue marbeled, and brown marbeled vinyls.

Label:

The Wall Live
EMI Label Copy
PF 7243-5

Side 1:
Another Brick In The Wall (I)
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall (II)
Goodbye Blue Sky
What Shall We Do Now?
Another Brick In The Wall (III)
The Last Few Bricks
Goodbye Blue Sky
 
Side 2:
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Nobody Home
Comfortably Numb
The Show Must Go On
Outside The Wall

Matrix-S1: PRLP 7243 5235622 - 0 - A
Matrix-S2: PRLP 7243 523 5622 -0 B

Price on Ebay: from EUR 30 to EUR 50

This information, and translation, is courtesy of Stefano Tarquini, who runs the Mr Pinky Vinyl Encyclopedia, and Ingo Brode, and used strictly with permission. No unauthorised use! Our thanks to both of them for offering this information for use on Brain Damage, and for their hard work!