Led Zeppelin II A2/B2 Atlantic 58818 UK 1969 Red/Plum Label ('Wreck' credit) 
This very rare and highly collectable first pressing on the red/plum label has the incorrect 'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' credit on the label as well as the 'The Lemon Song' credit of course.  This is one of the most collectable Led Zeppelin albums today and also includes the original 'green tinged' E.J Day light brown gatefold.
As per the first pressings it has the 'Copyright Control' publishing credits rather than the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' which is on the later pressings.
588198 // A / 2 // 1 1  8
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1  1 0
The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- in many sections / final third of track 4 is VG+)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (tracks 4 & 5 are Ex+ to Near Mint) 

The gatefold is VG+ (the spine is VG-)
The labels are Ex+
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
There are a number of hairlines on the record but there are no scratches.  This shows just how robustly vinyl was produced from this time.  This heavier vinyl stands the test of time incredibly well and the hairlines are only superficial really as they have barely any affect on the stunning audio as detailed below.  It is still very impressive visually and the vast majority of the hairlines will have been caused by sleeve removal.  There is some spindle wear although not a great deal.
Play grading
The 'Whole Lotta Love' intro has only a minimal amount of light static and plays so clearly with no clicks or pops.  There is no intrusive 'background' at all.  A superb start.  From then on it plays with great power and depth and the instrumental section has to be heard to be believed!  Aside from a couple of mega quiet soft ticks at the start it plays 'as new' the clarity is of an immaculate standard and this section grades as Mint- without doubt.  There is just no interference of any kind and even the quiet 'way down inside' vocal that follows has only light static in the 'background'. This is stunning audio for such a rare vinyl and even the fade out plays with near perfect precision.  A breathtaking start, it has the wow factor!
  The quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' is another highlight and impresses with no clicks, pops or crackle.  earing!  With so many quiet sections you expect there to be some interference on a vinyl of this age but nothing stands out.  I play every second of every track, sometimes more than twice, and apart from a little background static in a couple of sections this is dynamic audio at its very best.  I am confident in saying this track grades as Near Mint and many sections are better than that!  Again the extended fade out is so clear and has only a little static right at the end.  No clicks or pops!
'The Lemon Song' has a little static on the intro but it certainly doesn't intrude on the high quality of the audio.  It is minimal and the depth and power on the remainder cannot be underestimated.  The bass and drums play with incredible definition and there is no distortion on the top end.  Not forgetting Jimmy's work of course, quite simply stunning!  You forget you are listening to a near 50 year old record.  The long middle bass section plays superbly with only a touch of mega light static here and there but it is not intrusive and is very much in the background.  It is hardly worth mentioning as you expect some 'background' on a vinyl of this age and this section still plays with supreme clarity.  The 'loud' end section plays with incredible power, again 'as new' and only the last 3/4 seconds have a little static.  This is definitely one of the 'cleanest' versions of this track I have ever heard on a 'Wreck' pressing.
As any Led Zepp collector knows 'Thank You' often plays with some distortion/interference on the red/plum pressings.  I am delighted to say this version plays with very impressive audio throughout.  The intro plays with stunning clarity and rarely there is no distortion at all.  The opening very quiet vocal section has minimal static and in no way intrudes on the quality of the listen.  It continues to play with 'high end' audio and once more there are no clicks or pops and no crackle either.  There is a little more static on the final third of the track and a minimal amount of vocal distortion.  There are also a small number of very quiet 'ticks' on the 'if the sun refused to shine...' section.  This final section of course plays very quietly and there is always some interference without exception.  There are some light clicks during the first 'silent' fade out and some intermittent crackle but in my opinion it still plays very clearly and the music is very much in the forefront.  It remains an excellent listen and is not overshadowed by the 'background' at all.
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From the very first groove 'Heart Breaker' has no 'background' whatsoever and is a fantastic listen throughout.  Rarely have I heard this classic play with such incredible power and definition and grades as Mint- without doubt.  The bass here is so strong and the sonic quality is stunning.  The 'quiet' middle guitar section has only a little background static and is in no way intrusive.  The remainder 'rocks out' in truly sublime fashion and with no distortion.  An absolutely breathtaking version, I cannot put into words just how good.  Wow!!
  'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' I am pleased to say is of the same immaculate standard.  Every note plays with stunning precision and I am confident in saying it plays 'as new' without interference.  This is why we listen to vinyl - the sonic quality and definition is of a standard that cannot be replicated by any other medium.  The audio is Mint I have never heard a better version.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to the next track.  I am now running out of superlatives for the audio here!  'Ramble On' is quite simply stunning and there is not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything more obvious.  The clarity and depth is of the highest standard and could not be improved upon and this is on a 'Wreck' pressing!  It just goes to show you cannot beat these red/plum pressings for overall clarity of sound when you find a vinyl that has been so well preserved.  The long fade out plays perfectly apart from a little static right at the end.
For fear of sounding repetitive 'Moby Dick' is 'high end' to say the least and is a sublime listen.  The long drum solo plays with wonderful clarity and whilst there is a little static here and there it is extremely quiet and so much in the background as to be negligible.  There are no clicks or pops and again the depth and warmth on offer here is of a fantastic standard.
The very quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' is very impressive with only light static here and there.  Again being a 'final track' there is always some interference but I am happy to say there is relatively little here.  There are a couple of clicks towards the end of the intro but once the guitar 'kicks in' the audio is superb.  So often as the volume increases here there is some distortion but there is none here which is a mega rarity.  This section is so powerful and is easily the 'cleanest' I have heard in many a year.  Stunning precision and depth yet again.  The quiet end section only has obvious static literally on the last 2/3 seconds and provides a suitably stunning finale to this rare classic album.
In summary this 'Wreck' A2/B2 pressing is a final upgrade archive copy for sure.   For a near 50 year old record to play with only a little interference is rare and especially so a 'Wreck' first press.  So much of it plays 'as new' with sublime clarity and power.  The depth and sonic quality is of the highest standard and of course it has the correct light brown gatefold (with green tinge) that is in excellent condition for its age.
The Gatefold
The rare light brown E.J. Day gatefold does have some shelf wear but is still very presentable.  As is so often the case the majority of the wear is on the spine.  The green tinge is also evident on the spine and on some of the edging - collectors are always looking out for this as this was only on the genuine 'Wreck' first pressings with the light brown cover.
There is a fair amount of rubbing on the edges but there are no splits which is a good thing.  You can still read 'Led Zeppelin 2' on the spine but the catalogue number is no longer legible.  As stated the spine has rubbing and a couple of marks.  There is also some corner wear on the spine and whilst there is some rubbing on the other corners it is not excessive.  The opening edge has some handling wear but nothing major.  The front cover is actually very clean with only light fading here and there and a little marking by the spine and the back cover has also stood the test of time very well.  There is only minor fading and faint ringwear.  The inside of the gatefold is extremely clean with only one very small near the opening edge.  I am pleased to say there is no writing anywhere.  So this is by no means perfect but then how many are?!  There are still many aspects of this iconic and rare cover that are in excellent condition but overall I believe a VG to VG+ grading is fair.  Pretty good for nearly 50 years old!
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in excellent condition with no splits or tears and very little creasing.  There is just a fair amount of age related fading around the edges.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in excellent shape with no writing or marking on which is a rarity!  There is some spindle wear but certainly not an excessive amount.  They are very clean.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

588198 // A / 2 // 1 1  8
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1  1 0

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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