Limited edition DSOTM replica tape box print from Abbey Road Studios
Written by Matt   
Wednesday, 03 March 2021

Detail of DSOTM Quad master tape boxJust announced, and available to order immediately (with a release date of Friday, March 5th), is Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon EMI Tape Box Folio – Side One, a limited edition of 250 replica prints that reveals the rarely seen The Dark Side of the Moon Quadrophonic discrete master – Side One EMI tape box, held deep within the EMI archive.

Recording of the album began in May 1972 in Studio Two at EMI Studios (as Abbey Road was known), using the iconic EMI TG12345 MK IV console. Abbey Road was to become Pink Floyd's home for 38 days over a seven-month period, as they embarked on the creation of what, for many, would be their defining work. The print shows Side One of the album, which was recorded in Studios Two and Three at Abbey Road, with Alan Parsons and Peter James noted as the project's engineers. The Dark Side of the Moon was released in the US on March 1st, 1973, and the UK on March 16th, and whilst it never received a UK number 1 position, it went on to break various records and become an iconic release, known the world over.

The tape contained within this box was exclusively manufactured by EMI. The boxes at the time the album was recorded were aqua blue with an 'atomic' image made up of three superimposed images of tape reels, which is the cover you see in this folio. Many of these tape boxes, including The Dark Side of the Moon, are now stored at the EMI Archives, in Hayes, London.

This is an exclusive collaboration between Pink Floyd and Abbey Road Studios. Each handmade folio is numbered and includes a 500gsm box card black folder (37cm x 37cm with a 5cm lip) which encases the two replica litho prints (30cm x 30cm), recreated in exact life size dimensions and cradled with transparent corner holders. Alongside this, it includes a leaflet looking back at the recording of The Dark Side of the Moon and a certificate of authenticity.

Here's a video looking at the folio, which can be ordered now while stocks last at shop.AbbeyRoad.com.