PINK FLOYD - ATOM HEART MOTHER 12" Vinyl LP Album

- 1ST PRESSING France

In the first French pressing of PINK FLOYD's "Atom Heart Mother," the album's front cover showcases the band's name prominently in the upper center, devoid of the album title. Meanwhile, in the upper left corner, essential catalog information is printed. This presentation encapsulates the unique aesthetic of this pressing, providing collectors and enthusiasts with a distinctive artifact from the time period.

 

High Resolution Photo #1 PINK FLOYD Atom Heart France 1st

"Atom Heart Mother (France)" Album Description:

The first French pressing of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" stands as a remarkable testament to the band's artistic evolution and the vinyl production practices of its time. Released during a period marked by significant advancements in music and cultural shifts, this album holds a distinctive place in the chronicles of Pink Floyd's discography.

Issued in France, this 12" Vinyl LP Album, with its unique cover design, showcases a departure from conventional album presentation. The absence of the album title on the front cover and the prominent display of the band's name at the upper center contribute to the album's iconic visual identity. This intentional design choice captures the essence of Pink Floyd's experimental and avant-garde approach to music during the era.

The upper left corner of the cover bears essential catalog information, embodying the meticulous details associated with vinyl production during the time period. The inclusion of Stamper/Matrix codes, such as "781 A 21 M6 275346" and "781 B 21 M6 275347," further emphasizes the authenticity and uniqueness of this particular pressing. These codes are akin to musical fingerprints, offering collectors a means to distinguish and identify specific editions.

The significance of this first French pressing extends beyond its visual and technical aspects. It encapsulates a moment in time when Pink Floyd, already recognized for pushing musical boundaries, continued to forge new paths in the realm of progressive rock. "Atom Heart Mother" itself is a sonic journey, marked by its expansive compositions and orchestral elements, showcasing the band's willingness to experiment and defy genre norms.

Notably, the distinct feature of having the band's name printed on the front cover adds an extra layer of rarity and charm. Subsequent releases of the album deviated from this design choice, making the first French pressing a sought-after gem for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

In the broader context of the early 1970s, a period marked by the rise of progressive rock and the flourishing vinyl culture, this first French pressing of "Atom Heart Mother" embodies the spirit of musical exploration and artistic innovation. It serves as a tangible link to an era where album covers were more than protective sleeves; they were canvases for artistic expression and symbols of the evolving relationship between music, visual art, and cultural identity.


This is "Atom Heart Mother" French original 1st pressing with Stamper/Matrix codes:
781 A 21 M6 275346
781 B 21 M6 275347
Also note the band's name "Pink Floyd" printed on the front cover, subsequent releases of this album dont have "Pink Floyd" printed on the front cover

Music Genre:

Psychedelic Progressive Acid Rock
 

Album Production Information:

Producer – Pink Floyd

Executive-Producer – Norman Smith

Explore more about Norman Smith’s groundbreaking work with Pink Floyd by visiting this webpage .

Sound Engineer: Alan Parsons

  • Alan Parsons – Sound engineer, producer, musician

    Alan Parsons is my go-to “how does this record sound THAT good?” answer: the studio brain behind classic-era clarity, from Pink Floyd sessions to The Alan Parsons Project’s glossy sci-fi pop-rock.

    Alan Parsons is the guy I picture behind the glass when a record sounds ridiculously clean, wide, and expensive (in the best way). His first big “period” is the Abbey Road years, working as a tape operator and engineer across the late 1960s into the mid-1970s, right in the era when studios were basically science labs with guitars. In 1973 he engineered Pink Floyd’s "The Dark Side of the Moon", and that alone would’ve earned him a lifetime pass to the control room. Then he moved from “genius in the booth” to “name on the cover” as co-founder of The Alan Parsons Project, active from 1975 to 1990, where he blended pristine production with big melodies and concept-album vibes. From the 1990s onward he’s kept the music alive on stage with touring lineups commonly billed as The Alan Parsons Live Project, proving he’s not just a behind-the-scenes wizard but a musician who can carry the material in the real world too.

    Alan Parsons Wiki
    • < !-- 2026-01-10T09:24:10+01:00 -->

    Sound Engineer: Peter Bown

    Recorded at EMI Studios - Abbey Road

    Album Cover Design and Photography: Hipgnosis

  • Hipgnosis – British album cover art design group

    Hipgnosis is my favorite proof that a record sleeve can be a full-on mind game, not just a band photo with better lighting.

    Hipgnosis is the legendary London-based art design group that turned rock sleeves into visual myths. The core duo, Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell, were childhood friends of the Pink Floyd inner circle in Cambridge—a connection that allowed them to bypass the stiff mandates of EMI’s in-house design department in 1968. Their debut, "A Saucerful of Secrets," was only the second time in EMI history (after The Beatles) that an outside firm was granted creative control. The very name "Hipgnosis" was a piece of found art; Syd Barrett, during one of his more enigmatic phases, scrawled the word in ballpoint pen on the door of the South Kensington flat he shared with the duo. Thorgerson loved the linguistic friction of it: the "Hip" for the new and groovy, and "Gnosis" for the ancient, hidden knowledge. While Peter Christopherson later joined as a third partner in 1974, that initial Barrett-endorsed moniker defined a decade of surrealist mastery for bands like Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and 10cc, before the group dissolved in 1983.

    Hipgnosis Gallery
    		•

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    Harvest SHVL 781 U / Made in France by Pathe Marconi EMI
    Media Format: 12" Vinyl LP Gramophone
    Country of Origin:  Made in France
    Band Members and Musicians on: Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother 1st Pressing
      Pink Floyd is:
    • Roger Waters - bass, vocals
    • Roger Waters – Bass, vocals, songwriter

      Roger Waters is the guy I blame (politely) when a Pink Floyd song stops being “spacey vibes” and starts staring straight through you with lyrics that feel like a courtroom cross-examination.

      Roger Waters is, to my ears, Pink Floyd’s razor-edged storyteller: bassist, singer, and the main lyric engine who pushed the band from psychedelic drift into big, human-scale themes. His key band period is Pink Floyd (1965–1985), where he became the dominant writer through the 1970s and early 1980s, before leaving and launching a long solo career (1984–present). After years of public tension, he briefly reunited with Pink Floyd for a one-off performance at Live 8 in London on 2 July 2005—basically the musical equivalent of spotting a comet: rare, bright, and gone again. Since the late 1990s he’s toured extensively under his own name, staging huge concept-driven shows that revisit Floyd classics like "The Dark Side of the Moon" (notably on the 2006–2008 tour) and "The Wall" (2010–2013), because apparently subtlety is not the point when you’ve got something to say.

      Roger Waters Wiki
    • Nick Mason - percusssion
    • Nick Mason – Drums, percussion

      Nick Mason is the steady heartbeat I always come back to in Pink Floyd: the only constant member since the band formed in 1965, quietly holding the whole weird universe together while the rest of the planet argues about everything else.

      Nick Mason is Pink Floyd’s drummer, co-founder, and the one guy who never clocked out: his main performing period with Pink Floyd runs from 1965 to the present, and he’s the only member to appear across every Pink Floyd album. Outside the mothership, he’s had a very “I’m not done yet” second act: in 2018 he formed Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets (2018–present) to bring the band’s early psychedelic years back to the stage. He’s also stepped out under his own name with projects like the solo album "Nick Mason’s Fictitious Sports" (released 1981), which is basically him taking a left turn into jazz-rock just to prove he can. And yes, he was part of that blink-and-you-miss-it full-band moment at Live 8 in London in 2005, when the classic lineup briefly reunited and reminded everyone why this band still haunts people.

      Nick Mason Wiki
    • Dave Gilmour - Guitar, vocals
    • David Gilmour – Guitar, vocals

      David Gilmour is the voice-and-fingers combo I hear whenever Pink Floyd turns from “spacey” into straight-up cinematic: he joined in 1967 and basically helped define what “guitar tone with emotions” even means.

      David Gilmour is, for me, the calm center of Pink Floyd’s storm: an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose playing can feel gentle and devastating in the same bar. His earliest band period worth name-dropping is Jokers Wild (1964–1967), before he stepped into Pink Floyd in 1967 as Syd Barrett’s situation unraveled. From there his main performing era is Pink Floyd (1967–1995), including the post-Roger Waters years where the band continued under his leadership and released "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (1987) and "The Division Bell" (1994), with a later studio coda in "The Endless River" (2014). Outside Floyd, he’s had a long solo run (1978–present) with albums ranging from "David Gilmour" (1978) to "Luck and Strange" (2024), and he even did a sharp side-quest in 1985 with Pete Townshend’s short-lived supergroup Deep End. And for one historic night, the classic lineup reunited at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London on 2 July 2005—one of those “you had to be there (or at least press play)” moments.

      David Gilmour Wiki
    • Richard Wright - keyboards, vocals
    • Richard Wright – Keyboards, vocals

      Richard Wright is the secret atmosphere machine in Pink Floyd: the guy who can make one chord feel like a whole weather system, and then casually add a vocal harmony that makes it hit even harder.

      Richard Wright (born Richard William Wright) is, for me, the understated genius of Pink Floyd: co-founder, keyboardist, and occasional lead vocalist whose textures are basically baked into the band’s DNA. His main performing period with Pink Floyd runs from 1965 to 1981 (including the early albums through the massive arena years), then he returned as a full member again from 1987 to 1994 for the later era tours and albums. In between those chapters, he didn’t just vanish into a fog machine: he released a solo album, "Wet Dream" (1978), and later "Broken China" (1996), and he also had a proper side-project moment with Zee (1983–1984), which produced the album "Identity" (1984). He passed away in 2008, but his playing still feels like the part of Pink Floyd that makes the air shimmer.

      Richard Wright Wiki
    Complete Track Listing of: Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother 1st Pressing
      Side One:
    1. Atom Heart Mother
      Side Two:
    1. If
    2. Summer '68
    3. Fat Old Sun
    4. Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast
    Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother 1st Pressing
    Photo of Front Cover 
    High Resolution Photo #1 PINK FLOYD Atom Heart France 1st  
    Photo of Album's Back Cover  
    High Resolution Photo #2 PINK FLOYD Atom Heart France 1st  
    Photo of Atom Heart's Album's Inner Cover  
    High Resolution Photo #3 PINK FLOYD Atom Heart France 1st  
    Photo of Record Label 
    High Resolution Photo #4 PINK FLOYD Atom Heart France 1st  

     Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

    Index of PINK FLOYD's Atom Heart Mother Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Canada)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Canada) album front cover

     Harvest SKAO-382   , 1970 , Canada

    This Canadian 1970 release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" Vinyl LP Album , can be identified with: Album front cover has PINK FLOYD and album title printed in italics. Harvest logo is printed right to it. Catalognr is printed below the album's title. Gatefold album cover.

    Atom Heart Mother (Canada) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Canada 3rd Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Canada 3rd Release) album front cover

    Harvest SMAS 382  , 1970 , Canada

    This page shows the release of Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother in its third Canadian Edition. A distinctive feature is the catalog number SMAS 382 imprinted on the record label, setting it apart from the catalog number on the album's front cover. This edition adds a nuanced touch to the timeless album, embodying the evolution and uniqueness within the chronicles of music history during its specific time period.

    Atom Heart Mother (Canada 3rd Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (France 1st Pressing)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (France 1st Pressing) album front cover

    Harvest SHVL 781 U , 1970 , France

    In the first French pressing of PINK FLOYD's "Atom Heart Mother," the album's front cover showcases the band's name prominently in the upper center, devoid of the album title. Meanwhile, in the upper left corner, essential catalog information is printed. This presentation encapsulates the unique aesthetic of this pressing, providing collectors and enthusiasts with a distinctive artifact from the time period.

    Atom Heart Mother (France 1st Pressing) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (France)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (France) album front cover

    Harvest SHVL 781 / PM 261 , 1970 , France

    The 1970 French release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" on 12" Vinyl LP features distinct design choices, including a catalog number in the top left corner and an absence of the band name and album title on the front cover. The gatefold design enhances the visual appeal. Representing the progressive rock era, this edition reflects artistic experimentation, providing collectors with a noteworthy piece from the evolving music scene of early 1970s Europe.

    Atom Heart Mother (France) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (HorZu Limited Edition)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (HorZu Limited Edition) album front cover

    Horzu Harvest SHZE 297 , 1970 , Germany

    Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" HorZu Limited Edition, released exclusively for the German HorZu club in 1970, stands out for its minimalist cover, absent band and album details. Featuring the iconic HorZu logo on the inside cover and label, this edition embodies exclusivity. A prized possession for collectors, it encapsulates the transformative era of 1970s progressive rock, making each vinyl a coveted artifact from a bygone musical epoch.

    Atom Heart Mother (HorZu Limited Edition) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany HÖR ZU)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany HÖR ZU) album front cover

      Harvest SHZE 297   , 1970 , Germany

    The second release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" Vinyl LP Album in Germany by HÖR ZU is marked by the HorZu Logo on the inside cover but lacks it on the record's label. The absence of the logo on the label is a noteworthy detail for collectors. This version, with its distinct features, adds a layer of intrigue to the album's history within the German music scene.

    Atom Heart Mother (Germany HÖR ZU) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany 1st Pressing)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany 1st Pressing) album front cover

      EMI Harvest 1C 062-04 550   , 1974 , Germany

    The 1974 German release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" on 12" vinyl, identified by the EMI Harvest 1C 062-04 550 catalog number and the year imprinted near 9 o'clock on the yellow label, stands as a noteworthy artifact. The gatefold album cover and production showcase the band's influential contribution to the progressive rock era, making it a sought-after collector's item that reflects the musical zeitgeist of its time.

    Atom Heart Mother (Germany 1st Pressing) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany 2nd Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Germany 2nd Release) album front cover

    Harvest 1C 072-04 550  , 1974 , Gernaby

    In 1974, Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" saw its second release in Germany, contributing to the progressive music scene of the era. The 12" vinyl LP format showcased the band's innovative approach, aligning with the prevalent preferences of the time. The album's iconic cover art, featuring a surreal cow image, added to its mystique. This release in Germany marked a pivotal moment in Pink Floyd's journey and left an indelible mark on the global music landscape.

    Atom Heart Mother (Germany 2nd Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (UK 3rd Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (UK 3rd Release) album front cover

    Harvest SHVL 781   , 1970 , Gt Britain

    Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" vinyl, 3rd release in Great Britain, is a collector's delight. With a gatefold cover featuring only a cow, it stands out for its minimalist design. The Green Harvest label, EMI logo, and the declaration "Made in GT Britain" on the vinyl add unique identifiers. Matrix codes SHVL 781 A3 / SHVL 781 B3 and catalog number Harvest SHVL 781 authenticate its 1970 release, making it a prized piece in the band's discography.

    Atom Heart Mother (UK 3rd Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (UK 4th Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (UK 4th Release) album front cover

      Harvest SHVL 781 , 1970 , Gt Britain

    In 1970, Pink Floyd unveiled their iconic "Atom Heart Mother" 12" Vinyl LP Album with the catalog number Harvest SHVL 781 in Great Britain. This 4th release marked a significant contribution to the music scene of the time. The album, showcasing the band's experimental prowess, reflects the cultural and artistic landscape of the era, solidifying its place in the progressive rock movement.

    Atom Heart Mother (UK 4th Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Italy 1st Pressing)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother Italy 1st Pressing album front cover

    EMI Harvest 3C 062-04550 , 1970 , Italy

    The 1st Italian release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" on 12" vinyl LP, with catalog number EMI Harvest 3C 062-04550, showcases a distinctive gatefold design. Matrix codes "04550-A 26-10-70 I" and "04550-B 26-10-70 I" reveal production details. This 1970 edition embodies the era's vinyl culture, merging music and craftsmanship. A coveted item for collectors, it symbolizes the tangible artistry of a bygone musical epoch.

    (Italy 1st Pressing) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Italy 5th Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother Italy 5th Release album front cover

    EMI Harvest 3C 062-04550 , 1970 , Italy

    The 1970 5th Italian release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" Vinyl LP is a collector's gem. With a cover omitting band and album details, adorned with EMI and Harvest logos, it reflects the era's avant-garde design. The S.I.A.E. stamp on the record label adds a legal dimension. The gatefold design, showcasing artwork and photos, offers a unique, immersive experience, making this version a distinctive cultural artifact within the band's discography.

    Atom Heart Mother (Italy 5th Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Italy 6th Release)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother Italy 6th Release album front cover

    Harvest 3C 064-04550 , 1970 , Italy

    The Italian release of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" LP Vinyl Album, featuring a minimalist front cover sans band name and album title, stands out in the progressive rock landscape. Distinguished by EMI and Harvest logos, matrix codes revealing production timelines, and a S.I.A.E. copyright stamp, it encapsulates the meticulous craftsmanship of the era. The gatefold design and internal artwork add visual depth, making this release a noteworthy contribution to the musical zeitgeist.

    Atom Heart Mother (Italy 6th Release) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Netherlands Horzu Edition)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Netherlands Horzu Edition) album front cover

    Harvest – 5C 062-04550, HÖR ZU – SHZE 297 , 1970 , Netherlands

    Pink Floyd's 1970 "Atom Heart Mother" Netherlands Horzu Edition, distinguished by the HorZu logo on the gatefold cover, reflects the band's innovative spirit in the experimental early '70s music scene. With catalog numbers Harvest – 5C 062-04550 and HÖR ZU – SHZE 297, this vinyl release encapsulates the era's intersection of music and media. Its warm analog tones and meticulous production celebrate a unique chapter in music history, making it a prized collectible for enthusiasts.

    Atom Heart Mother (Netherlands Horzu Edition) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Japan Toshiba)
    PINK FLOYD - - Atom Heart Mother (Japan Toshiba) album front cover

    Toshiba-EMI EMI EMS 80320 , 1970 , Japan

    Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" Japanese release on Toshiba Records is a unique 12" Vinyl LP with a cover missing the band name and title. Notably, EMI and Harvest logos adorn thelower corners, emphasizing the collaboration with these labels. The catalog number, Toshiba-EMI EMI EMS 80320, distinguishes this version. Deviating from gatefold covers, it reflects the era's vinyl fascination, making it a coveted collector's item, capturing the essence of global music production in its time.

    Atom Heart Mother (Japan Toshiba) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Special Edition Switzerland)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Special Edition Switzerland) album front cover

    HARVEST EL 777001 , 1970 , Germany

    The Swiss Edition of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" presents a unique deviation with its singular cow cover photo, "Special Edition" declaration, and standard album format. Marked by catalog number HARVEST EL 777001, it stands out within the band's discography. Reflecting a meticulous design, this version encapsulates the era's innovative spirit, offering collectors and enthusiasts a distinct glimpse into Pink Floyd's creative evolution during the album's release period.

    Atom Heart Mother (Special Edition Switzerland) 12" Vinyl LP
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Swiss Special Editon)
    PINK FLOYD - Atom Heart Mother (Swiss Special Editon) album front cover

    EMI-Harvest 777 001 (777001 / SHVL 781A), Special Edition , 1970 , Made in Gt Britain for export to Switzerland only

    Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother" 12" Vinyl LP, crafted in Great Britain and solely exported for >, epitomizes the band's 1970 sonic evolution. Breaking from psychedelic norms, the album introduces symphonic elements and a groundbreaking collaboration with the EMI Pops Orchestra. The Swiss edition's exclusive single-cow back cover distinguishes it, coupled with "Special Edition" labeling, enhancing its rarity and allure among collectors, encapsulating the era's musical experimentation.

    Atom Heart Mother (Swiss Special Editon) 12" Vinyl LP
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