LED ZEPPELIN I A1/B1 2nd Press RED/PLUM Beautiful COVER & Stunning MINT- AUDIO
£
252
$
334
£ 252
Sold For
Sep 28, 2025
Sold Date
Sep 18, 2025
Start Date
25
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently. Led Zeppelin I A1 / B1 2nd Red / Plum Press Version 6
This second pressing is one of the most immaculate versions I have ever listened to. There is basically no interference and as always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading. The only background is three very light ticks on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' and that hardly qualifies as interference! Even the the organ intro on 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' plays with exceptional quality and that is of course such a rarity. The clarity, depth and power of the audio throughout this classic album is stunning and the two final tracks on each side, 'Dazed And Confused' and 'How Many More Times' in particular play with incredible audio. Another stand out feature is the total lack of distortion and sonically I truly believe this record could not play any better. A genuine 'find' and a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in my opinion.
The laminated cover with the grey / silver band on the bottom edge is also in fantastic condition with no obvious wear. It is beautifully clean and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly. Hopefully the photos do it justice! The original Plastic Bags... inner is in excellent condition with minimal wear. This is known as a second red / plum pressing and is recognised as Version 6 on Discogs. It has the publishing credits printed in one line on both labels.
588171 A//1 1 2 9 5 (second 8 scratched out & etched 8 above it)
58871 B//1 1 1 5 (second 8 scratched out & etched 8 above it)
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint-)
The laminated cover is Near Mint- The original Plastic Bags... inner is Ex+
The red / plum labels are Ex+
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches. Under a bright light S1 is stunning with only a small number of faint hairlines and S2 is similar but with 3/4 sweepy type hairlines that are a little more obvious across the final two tracks. However, they are purely superficial (being hairlines) and have zero impact on the incredible audio. There is no groove or surface wear and no 'bag rash' either. The run out grooves are very clean and the red / plum Atlantic labels are very clean apart from a couple of initials on each side. On S2 it appears that someone has tried to remove them. S1 has only minimal spindle wear and S2 does have a little more.
Play Grading
The intro on 'Good Times Bad Times' often plays with a static distortion type sound but not here. The audio is so clean and precise and the power is unaffected. Plant's opening vocal section is just as impressive as is the first chorus and it continues in the same way. Page's solo is strong and dynamic and again sonically it just could not play any better. The next chorus is perfect and closing vocal / fade out is equal to that. It's worth noting Jones' has at least a couple of brief stand alone bass 'solos' and they play with stunning clarity. This is a phenomenal start to this classic album and Mint is very much deserved, it is easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard. With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' plays beautifully and the first verse has no background either. The first up-tempo acoustic passage is faultless as is the next vocal and the background 'baby cry' around the 1.40 mark can be heard perfectly, there is nothing getting in the way. The following instrumental has only three very minor statics, they are not ticks, and as volume increases with Plant's vocal in the background the playback is so strong and powerful and again there is no interference. In true Led Zepp style this track mixes it up so much between loud and quiet and yet the clarity of sound here is outstanding. Aside from those three light statics the playback is stunning and the remainder is a case in point. Light and shade, loud and quiet the sonic quality is incredible and the very quieter end section has no background, a genuine rarity. This is worthy of a Mint- grade in my opinion. What a version!
The intro on 'You Shook Me' is of then same high end standard with not even a solitary static sound and Plant's opening vocal is on the same level. You really notice how clean and deep the audio is here and that is helped in no small measure by Jones' bass sound. The Hammond organ solo which begins the long instrumental is nigh on perfect with only a couple of quiet static sounds and the harmonica section closely followed by Page's solo is STUNNING! The audio is so strong and dynamic and there is zero distortion on the top end, you can easily turn it up to max as I did! The next vocal section has no intrusion and Plant's final high octane vocal in conjunction with Page's work plays with pristine precision also. As Bonham and Jones come back in for the closing few seconds the audio is 'as new' and again this track has to grade as Mint-
The iconic bass intro on 'Dazed And Confused' has just one very minor static the opening vocal section is flawless. Page's first 'solo' passage is so strong and deep and the next vocal has no intrusion at all. The first 'powerful' instrumental is immense and it progresses in the same precise way. The quieter almost psychedelic passage plays with sublime clarity and warmth - at the beginning Plant has a kind of brief background vocal, it's easily missed, but because the clarity is 'top level' you do easily here it. As you reach the end of this section, the volume is steadily increasing, the playback is again so clean and precise, and then the high octane instrumental with Bonham, Jones and Page going ballistic is exceptional! sensational! Have I heard better? I don't think so. It is so 'busy' and powerful and yet the audio definition and separation is incredible - you really can hear each note as they were meant to be heard - and there is literally no background and no distortion. The next 'riff' keeps up the standard and the final vocal / instrumental play with genuine quality also. I am going to a include a minus because of the one minor static at the start but I'm sure I would be forgiven if I didn't! It truly is a sensational version that would be very difficult to better. Mint-
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Any Led Zepp aficionado will know how problematic the organ intro on 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' often is. This one is one of the cleanest I have ever heard, it is stunning! There is next to no static and all I can hear is the quietest hiss that you can imagine every now and then, it is totally non-intrusive. The even quieter end section plays beautifully without any background (how rare is that!) and as Bonham and then Page join in the audio is superb. The first verse and chorus are of the same standard and it proceeds in the same way. Each beat from Bonham is so strong and definite, this is such a 'clean' version. The remainder has no ticks, clicks, pops or static - the intro is a rare Near Mint- and is Mint from that point onwards.
The segue into 'Black Mountain Side' is perfect and and that applies to the entire track! The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is akin to an unplayed record and Mint is an easy grade to give. It clearly should have been credited to Bert Jansch also but Led Zepp were of course prone to appropriation at this time!
The intro on the raucous 'Communication Breakdown' is loud and true with no distortion and the opening vocal / chorus is equal to that. From then on it plays with that familiar raw power and there is none of that 'tinny' distortion that you so often find. Again I have no desire in repeating myself but this has to be the most 'complete' version I have heard in many a year. A Mint version that has no background on the fade out either.
The vocal only intro 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is as clean as could be and you can hear the 'echo' effect perfectly. The next vocal section with Bonham, Page and Jones adding a more understated 'feel' plays with wonderful clarity and warmth and the first instrumental of substance is 'as new' there is no other way to describe it. There is no background, not even a dust tick, and the final quiet verse / instrumental plays to the highest standard also. Another definitive version and Mint all the way. Again it's rare to hear a 'perfect' example of this classic on such an early red / plum pressing.
Another classic bass intro on 'How Many More Times' and there is no intrusion here. Strong and deep with impeccable clarity. Page's first classic riff soon accompanied by Plant is just as impressive, the power and depth on this section is seriously good mark my words! Page's first 'solo' section is out of this world also! If there is any inner groove distortion it is barely noticeable, the playback is fantastic, and the quiet section then plays with STUNNING clarity. As the volume builds there is no drop in quality and the 'crescendo' is phenomenal, I have never heard better. There is literally no distortion that's what makes it really stand out and as it reaches a climax Jones' bass comes in so strong and deep. The Oh Rosie.. vocal is of the highest standard and the next powerful section is... well I'm running out of superlatives now! Bonham adding his usual magic and the power and definition of the audio is immense! Plant's vocal scream has no distortion etc and the final vocal / riff section plays with remarkable clarity and power also and the all powerful ballistic ending from Page, Bonham and Jones ends this total classic perfectly. As you can tell from my description (!) this is without question one of the finest examples I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and Mint- is very much deserved at the very least. This is one stunning album!
The Cover & Inner Sleeve
The laminated cover is a thing of beauty! It has been so well preserved and is still so glossy and 'fresh'. The edges are pristine and the thin pinched spine is in superb shape with no marking and is only very slightly compressed in a couple of areas / angled. All corners are incredibly clean with barely any wear and the opening edge is pristine with no handling wear etc. The front cover is nigh on perfect and only when you hold it at a certain angle can you see a handful of small laminate creases on the airship. In a way what really stands out is the lack of laminate lift next to the spine because it so often has it. There are only a couple of tiny laminate creases next to the spine. The grey / silver band along the bottom edge is so clean with only a couple of small barely visible creases near(ish) to the right corner. The back cover is just as impressive with only one laminate crease by the lower left corner that is perhaps a little more obvious and a minimal amount of laminate lift next to the spine, it is very minimal! This as you can see is a stunning example of this iconic cover and definitely worthy of a Near Mint- grade.
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner (dated 1271) is in great condition with no side splits or tears, a couple of minor specks and light creasing only.
588171 A//1 1 2 9 5 (second 8 scratched out & etched 8 above it)
58871 B//1 1 1 5 (second 8 scratched out & etched 8 above it)
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the topsGREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM
Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.
Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++
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Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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