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 it also includes the original E.J Day light brown gatefold.
This has only had one previous owner who advised that it was not played very much and was always carefully handled and stored.  The quality of the vinyl confirms that.
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 5  6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 4
The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / track 4 is Ex+ / last note is G)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 Ex+ to Near Mint) 

The gatefold is VG++
The labels are Near Mint-
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
Without doubt this is the most impressive 'Wreck' first pressing I have ever seen.  With not a great deal of spindle wear this has not been played too much and the stunning quality of the audio confirms that.  At near 50 years of age it still has a fantastic visual look and retains a lovely glossy sheen.  There are only a small number of faint hairlines and only one tiny (and I mean mega tiny!) scratch right at the end of S1 - it measures about 2mm and can barely be seen.  This is one superb looking vinyl and it is so rare today to find a 'Wreck' A2/B2 press as clean as this.  At first glance it looks 'as new' and I'll be lucky if I ever find one as good as this again.  The run out grooves and labels are also in superb condition.
Play grading
There is hardly any lead in static on S1 and 'Whole Lotta Love' then plays with stunning quality from start to finish.  There are no clicks or pops and without doubt this is the 'cleanest' version of this classic I have ever heard on a 'Wreck' first pressing.  From the very first groove it plays with fantastic definition and power.  The instrumental section easily qualifies as Mint- the clarity is tangible.  There is not one iota of interference here and even the mega quiet 'way down inside' vocal only section has no 'background'.  This truly is remarkable audio for such a rare vinyl and even the fade out plays nigh on perfectly.  I cannot stress just how good the sonic quality is here, the guitar riffs and strong bass play with great precision and no distortion on the top end whatsoever.
  The quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' is stunning and again impresses with no clicks, pops or crackle.  The more I listen to this track the more I cannot believe what I am hearing!  With so many quiet sections you expect there to be some interference but there is none to be heard.  This is such rarity and it is obvious that this vinyl has only been sparingly played and always very carefully handled.  This track performs with fantastic power and clarity and the extended fade out here is sublime with no 'background'.  Wow!!
'The Lemon Song' has just a touch of static hiss on the intro but it is so much in the background as to be totally negligible, it is minimal to say the least.  The depth and power of the remainder cannot be underestimated here.  In a word...stunning.  The bass and drums play with such sharp definition you forget you are listening to a near 50 year old record.  The middle bass section again plays so clearly.  This is audio sent from the Gods!  A couple of mega light static sounds only this performs with a clarity the likes of which I have never heard on a 'Wreck' pressing.  This classic grades as Near Mint without doubt and even then I might be under-selling it!
'Thank You' has the slightest of mega light static on the intro and then continues to play with wonderfully clear audio and barely any 'background'.  As any Led Zepp aficionado knows there is always some distortion on this track with the first/early pressings but I very happy to report there is barely any here and it plays with very impressive clarity.  Just a touch of light static perhaps but no clicks, pops or crackle.  The quiet 'if the sun refused to shine...' section has a little more static but it is in no way intrusive and indeed the first 'silent' fade out has hardly any 'background'.  This end section plays better than nearly all others I have heard aside from one negative.  Literally on the last note the needle sticks so you have to remove it manually.  This is due to the tiny aforementioned scratch that is on the final couple of grooves so in real terms is not too much of a negative as it is right at the end.  Generally speaking this quiet end section plays with a fair amount of interference and overall here the clarity is of an excellent standard.
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'Heart Breaker' from the start plays with hugely impressive power and definition and grades as Mint- for certain.  The sonic quality and separation here is just stunning and even the 'quiet' middle guitar section has no interference at all, now that is a rarity.  The remainder is equal to this standard and 'rocks out' in truly sublime fashion.  What a stunner!
  'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' plays with exactly the same quality if not better!  There is no 'background' and no distortion either.  I am tempted to grade this as Mint as there is no way this audio could be improved upon.  No clicks, pops and no static or crackle.
The quiet intro on 'Ramble On' is superb and plays 'as new'.  It then proceeds to play in the same way with astounding clarity and depth.  It just goes to show you cannot beat these red/plum pressings for overall clarity of sound when they have been well preserved.  The long fade out here plays with perfect precision and guess what...no clicks or pops.  Without doubt this is the 'cleanest' version of this track I have heard in many a year let alone on a 'Wreck' pressing!
Again it may seem like I am repeating myself but 'Moby Dick' plays without fault and is a stunning listen.  Wow!  The long drum solo is so quiet in so many of the sections and there is barely any static and there are certainly no clicks or pops.  I just cannot believe the clarity and depth on offer here and this is very nearly 50 years old!  This is the most impressive version of this instrumental I have ever heard.
The super quiet opening on 'Bring It On Home' has only a minimal amount of light static but nothing that you would call intrusive.  It still plays very clearly with no clicks or pops.  Most would not even mention this it is just that I am 100% complete in my grading.  Even if I hear a trace of static I will mention it.  Please believe me when I say it is totally minor, it still plays with great clarity for such a rare and collectable vinyl.  Once the guitar 'kicks in' there is a little distortion on the top end, as is always the case with this track, but it remains a superb listen and 'rocks out' with great power and precision.  The quiet end section has next to no static and provides a suitably stunning finale to this beautifully well preserved vinyl.
In summary this 'Wreck' A2/B2 pressing is a final upgrade archive copy for sure.  Yes there is the 'stick' right at the end of S1 but that is the only 'interference' worthy of mention and it is such a rarity to find this rare vinyl playing with such clarity and power with barely any 'background'.  This is why we listen to vinyl.  The audio will not disappoint the avid collector and it easily 'knocks spots' off the quality of the more recent reissues.  The depth, clarity and sonic quality is of the highest standard and of course it has the correct light brown gatefold (with green tinge) that is also in excellent condition for its age.
The Gatefold
The rare light brown E.J. Day gatefold is the most impressive one I have seen in a long time but obviously does have some shelf wear.  The green tinge is also evident on the spine and a little of the top edge.  The edges do have some rubbing and there is some corner wear although by no means an excessive amount.  There is some rubbing on the spine but you can still read Led Zeppelin 2 and the catalogue number.  There are a couple of 'nicks' towards the top of the spine.  The front cover is very clean and has barely any fading and that is a rarity.  There is one small mark top left next to the spine.  The back cover is the cleanest I have ever seen I think and again has hardly any fading, it looks superb!  The inside of the gatefold is in great shape although there is a name inscription in pen top left although it is quite faint.  The opening edge has only a small amount of handling wear.  Overall then there is some wear but there are many aspects of this iconic and rare cover that really stand out.   By no means perfect but it grades as a very strong VG++ I believe.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner has no splits or tears just some creasing.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing.  Rarely there is not too much spindle wear and what you can see is mainly around the spindle hole.
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 5  6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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