Pink Floyd's "Animals" 12" Vinyl LP, Britain's 1st pressing, captivates collectors with stamper codes, no scan codes, and unique inner sleeve. Released in 1977 on Harvest Records, its production showcases Roger Waters' influence, Brittania Row Studios' engineering, and collaborative visual design by Hipgnosis. The iconic Inflatable Pig adds a distinct touch. Labeled "1977 Made in Gt Britain," the album's enduring legacy lies in its musical brilliance and meticulous craftsmanship
In the music landscape of the late 1970s, Pink Floyd's "Animals" emerged as a groundbreaking album that showcased the band's artistic prowess and innovation. Released on Harvest Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US, this masterpiece not only marked a significant chapter in the band's discography but also left an enduring impact on the music industry.
The first pressing of "Animals" in Great Britain holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts. Identifying the authenticity of this edition involves examining key features that distinguish it from subsequent releases. Notably, the stamper codes SHVL 815 A-2U and SHVL 815 B-2U are crucial markers, emphasizing the meticulous craftsmanship of the original pressing.
One distinctive characteristic of the genuine first issue is the absence of scan codes on the album cover, a detail that adds to its vintage charm. The lower right corner of the inside cover bears the inscription "made and printed in Great Britain 7701 TM Garrod & Lofthouse ltd.," providing a geographical and historical context to the production.
The tactile experience of handling the first edition is enhanced by the thick paper/light carton black custom inner sleeve with rounded corners, featuring the lyrics of all songs performed by Pink Floyd. The gatefold album cover design further elevates the overall presentation, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the visual and auditory journey crafted by the band.
Delving into the production details, "Animals" boasts an impressive lineup of talent. Roger Waters, the creative force behind Pink Floyd, played a pivotal role in the album's inception, with the album bearing the stamp of Roger Waters Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd in 1977. The engineering prowess of Brian Humphries and the recording at Brittania Row Studios, London, contributed to the album's sonic excellence.
Sleeve design by Roger Waters, organized by
Storm Thorgerson
and Aubrey Powell – founders of the Hipgnosis Design Group – added a distinct visual identity to the album. Graphics by Nick Mason and photography by a team including Aubrey Powell, Peter Christopherson, Howard Bartrop, Nic Tucker, Bob Ellis, Rob Brimson, and Colin Jones, showcased a collaborative effort that mirrored the fusion of artistic minds.
The iconic Inflatable Pig, a visual centerpiece of the album, was designed by E.R.G Amsterdam, further emphasizing the international collaboration that went into creating this musical masterpiece.
Identifying the 1st Pressing of Pink Floyd's Animals (GB):
- Genuine 1st issue of Animals Gt Britain has
- Stamper codes: SHVL 815 A-2U / SHVL 815 B 2 U
- No scan codes on the cover
- Lower right corner of the inside cover it says "made and printed in Great Britain 7701 TM Garrod & Lofthouse ltd."
- thick paper/light carton black custom inner sleeve (rounded corners) with lyrics of all songs performed by Pink Floyd
- gatefold album cover design
Originally released on Harvest Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US,
Music Genre:
Acid, Psychedelic, Prog Rock Music
Album Production:
Roger Waters Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd 1977 ,
Richard Wright uncover the musical heart of Pink Floyd! Explore Richard Wright's captivating journey, from weaving ethereal keyboard textures to
crafting timeless melodies.
Nick Mason - Drums, percussion, tape effects, sleeve graphics
Nick Mason delve into the life of him! From driving Pink Floyd's iconic rhythm to his passions for racing and music production.
Discover the man behind the beat.
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Pink Floyd Animals UK GB Gt Britain
Photo of Front Cover
Front cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" UK first pressing vinyl LP.
The photograph shows London's Battersea Power Station at sunset, bathed in dramatic golden-orange light. The massive brick structure dominates the composition, its four tall white chimneys towering into a partly cloudy sky. Emerging from the left-center chimney is a trail of smoke, visually leading toward the famous inflatable pig floating mid-air between the two central chimneys—symbolizing the album’s socio-political themes.
The foreground features converging rooftop lines of industrial buildings and rail infrastructure, creating a powerful sense of depth. The intense contrast between shadowed lower structures and the illuminated station gives the image a surreal, cinematic atmosphere, designed by Hipgnosis and conceived by Roger Waters.
Photo of Album's Back Cover
Back cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" UK first pressing vinyl LP.
The left half of the image features a matte-black background with clean white typography listing the album title, tracklist for both sides, and full production credits. The tracks include: “Pigs on the Wing 1,” “Dogs,” “Pigs (Three Different Ones),” “Sheep,” and “Pigs on the Wing 2.” Contributors include Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and other band members, along with sleeve and photography credits attributed to Hipgnosis, Nick Mason, and others.
The right side displays a wide-angle photo of a fiery London sky at dusk, with massive storm clouds rolling in, tinged in orange, yellow, and black hues. Below the sky stretches an industrial cityscape with a tangle of rail yards and train tracks. The horizon is dotted with silhouetted buildings, chimneys, and faint urban structures, evoking a moody, post-industrial atmosphere that mirrors the album’s dark, conceptual tone.
Photo of Album's Inner Cover
Inner sleeve collage of Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" UK first pressing vinyl LP.
This striking black-and-white photo collage consists of seven individual images arranged on a matte black background, evoking themes of isolation, surveillance, and urban decay—perfectly reflecting the dystopian tone of the album.
Top left: A shadowy silhouette of Battersea Power Station with clouds swirling dramatically around its chimneys. The inflatable pig floats in the sky, partially obscured by the mist.
Top center: A bare lightbulb hangs from a wooden ceiling, casting a stark, minimal industrial mood.
Top right: A single chimney from the power station stands framed behind strands of barbed wire, the inflatable pig just visible in the distance, symbolizing captivity or control.
Middle center: Torn plastic or fabric caught on a barbed wire fence flaps in the wind, silhouetted against a cloudy sky—an image of vulnerability and desolation.
Bottom left: A tall, spiked industrial gate is shot from a low angle, reinforcing the motif of confinement and control.
Bottom center: A long platform with train cars is seen in perspective, the shadow lines creating a sense of emptiness and movement.
Bottom right: A railway yard drenched in rain, with puddles reflecting part of a crane or industrial structure—suggesting bleakness and decay.
These monochrome images, curated by Hipgnosis and Roger Waters, contribute to the conceptual narrative of the album, portraying a world of division, oppression, and urban alienation.
Photo of Album's Inner Cover
Second inner sleeve collage from Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" UK first pressing vinyl LP.
This black-and-white panel continues the album’s visual theme of post-industrial decay and isolation through six gritty photographs arranged against a dark matte background.
Top left: A dark, cluttered interior corner with part of a broken chair and barbed wire in front of a window, capturing neglect and entrapment.
Top center: The inflatable pig appears grounded or deflated, lying on its side, silhouetted against the cloudy sky and power lines—suggesting collapse or loss of control.
Top right: A stark, grimy room with a rusting bed frame and a wall-mounted sink under a cracked window, evoking a sense of abandonment or institutional coldness.
Bottom left: The word "ANIMALS" crudely carved into a tree trunk, blending natural texture with human aggression and giving the album title a raw, physical presence.
Bottom center: Battersea Power Station stands distant but unmistakable behind a massive pile of construction debris and rubble. The scene feels apocalyptic, reinforcing the album's bleak worldview.
Bottom right: The EMI Records Ltd. logo and production credits, including Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. and "Made and printed in Great Britain 7701," anchor the release in its physical and historic context.
These stark photographs visually narrate the decay of industrial civilization, mirroring the dark themes explored lyrically and musically on the album.
Close-up Photo of Record Label
Side One record label of Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" UK first pressing vinyl LP.
This unique label features the iconic "barking dog" image—an upward-looking photograph of a shaggy dog barking against a pale blue sky. The image fades into a black circular border with fine white legal text wrapping around the edge: “EMI RECORDS LTD ALL RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER AND OF THE OWNER OF THE RECORDED WORK RESERVED…” followed by “MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN UNAUTHORISED PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, BROADCASTING AND COPYING OF THIS RECORD PROHIBITED.”
The band name "ANIMALS PINK FLOYD" is prominently printed in bold uppercase black lettering at the top left. The handwritten-style tracklist indicates “Side 1” with two songs: “Pigs on the Wing (1)” (Waters) and “Dogs” (Waters, Gilmour).
Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" French release, adorned with a distinctive catalog number, showcases Roger Waters' production brilliance. Engineered by Brian Humphries at Britannia Row Studios, London, the album boasts Waters' artistic sleeve design and an inflatable pig by E.R.G Amsterdam. Amidst the progressive 1970s music scene, "Animals" stands as a timeless blend of musical innovation and conceptual storytelling, solidifying Pink Floyd's enduring influence. The French version adds a collector's touch to this iconic piece of rock history.
Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" German release, a 12" Vinyl LP, is a collector's gem with a gatefold cover and original inner sleeve. Harvest label 1C 064-98 434 showcases Roger Waters' sleeve design and an inflatable pig by E.R.G Amsterdam. Recorded at Britannia Row Studios, London, engineered by Brian Humphries, the album encapsulates Pink Floyd's innovative spirit, making it a timeless piece in the vibrant 1977 music landscape.
Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" shines as a musical and visual marvel, with a distinctive German release on pink vinyl. Roger Waters' meticulous craftsmanship at Britannia Row Studios is evident in the sonic brilliance. The gatefold cover, designed by Waters and executed by the Hipgnosis Design Group, complements the iconic inflatable pig. This limited edition's farbige pressung status adds a collector's touch, encapsulating Pink Floyd's innovative spirit in a timeless gem.
This is the hard to find (rare) release of Pink Floyd's Animal album which has an uncovered catalognr on the bottom right half of the label. Later releases of this album have this catalognr blacked-out and printed in the upper right half of the record label.
Harvest SHVL 815 , Barking Dog Blue Picture Label , 1977 , Gt. Britain
Pink Floyd's "Animals" 12" Vinyl LP, Britain's 1st pressing, captivates collectors with stamper codes, no scan codes, and unique inner sleeve. Released in 1977 on Harvest Records, its production showcases Roger Waters' influence, Brittania Row Studios' engineering, and collaborative visual design by Hipgnosis. The iconic Inflatable Pig adds a distinct touch. Labeled "1977 Made in Gt Britain," the album's enduring legacy lies in its musical brilliance and meticulous craftsmanship.
Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals" LP, produced by Roger Waters, is a landmark in progressive rock. Recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London, engineered by Brian Humphries, the album features Waters' thematic brilliance and iconic sleeve design. Its socio-political commentary, inspired by Orwell's "Animal Farm," makes it a timeless masterpiece. The album's experimental nature and sonic richness define Pink Floyd's artistic evolution during a pivotal period in music history.
Pink Floyd's 1977 "Animals"
Japanese 12" Vinyl LP is a musical relic, adorned with an OBI strip, gatefold design, and a four-page leaflet in Japanese. The production includes an original thick paper inner sleeve with complete lyrics. Cataloged as CBS/Sony Japan 25Ap 340, this edition, "Made in Japan," signifies a unique blend of artistry, cultural richness, and craftsmanship, encapsulating the essence of the late '70s music scene.
Pink Floyd's "Animals," released in January 1977 in the Netherlands, is a groundbreaking concept album critiquing 1970s Britain's social-political landscape. Its three tracks serve as allegories for societal classes. The Dutch vinyl, cataloged as Harvest – 5C 062-98434, features a Gatefold cover revealing artwork, lyrics, and production details. This release, marked by its European imprint, contributed to the album's enduring legacy, resonating beyond its temporal origins and shaping the progressive rock genre.
Pink Floyd's "Animals" 12" Vinyl LP, released in the Netherlands in 1977 under Harvest 1A 064-98434, is a sonic masterpiece and collector's gem. With a distinctive gatefold cover and thick custom inner sleeve featuring complete lyrics, it embodies the 1970s vinyl era. Meticulously produced in Holland, it reflects the progressive rock ethos, offering a timeless connection to the band's exploration of societal issues.
Pink Floyd's "Animals" 12" Vinyl LP, released by Jugoton in Yugoslavia, stands as a sonic masterpiece and visual marvel. Produced by Roger Waters and Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd in 1977, its Britannia Row Studios recording reflects meticulous craftsmanship. The gatefold cover, designed by Roger Waters and curated by Hipgnosis, adds a visual dimension. Addressing societal issues, this album remains an enduring symbol of musical and artistic brilliance from the late 1970s.
