LED ZEPPELIN III 3, SUPERB 1970 UK PLUM ATLANTIC, A-5/B-5 PETER GRANT 1st PRESS

	£		135
	$		179

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Led Zeppelin's brilliant third studio album simply titled Led Zeppelin III, Catalogue Number 2401 002. It's a 1970 UK stereo first pressing on the Atlantic Plum & Orange record label, with a first issue fully laminated E. J. Day Group gatefold sleeve with spinning wheel insert and cut-outs. It comes complete with the original white poly-lined inner sleeve date coded "07 70". [The matrix numbers are the earliest 2401 002 A-5 and 2401 002 B-5. "Do what thou wilt" and "So mote it be" are etched in the run-outs of Sides One and Two respectively. The record labels are the earliest possible design with "Executive Producer: Peter Grant" text credits].

The gatefold sleeve is in EX+ condition with only minor signs of wear and just a few small creases near the front bottom opening corner. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked with just a little age discoloration around the edges. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. The spinning wheel is correctly mounted on its pivot and rotates freely. Overall it's a beautiful example of this iconic sleeve.

The top quality mid-weight record retains a nice lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually I would critically grade both sides as being in VG+ condition. There are just a few superficial sleeve-removal / rub type surface marks evident under bright light in addition to a short hairline surface mark on Track 4 of Side Two (see close-up photo). These marks are purely cosmetic and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Atlantic Plum & Orange labels are unmarked with only a moderate number of spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no repeat clicks/pops and only minimal residual surface sound. The sound quality is nothing short of sensational - very powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass and lots of wonderful guitar effects. It's really is a top-playing copy.
 

The original white poly-lined inner sleeve has no splits or tears, just some age discoloration where the glue has dried out.

Overall this is a superb and complete first press copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic third album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £11.50

Worldwide - £14.50