LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 1st PRESS RED/PLUM 'Peter Grant' NEAR MINT / MINT- Audio
£
225
$
298
£ 225
Sold For
Jun 27, 2017
Sold Date
Jun 19, 2017
Start Date
£ 275
Start price
1
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Sold at
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN III A5 / B5 Atlantic 2401022 UK 1970 RED/PLUM Label
On offer here is a stunning genuine first pressing on the famous red/plum label. It has the 'Peter Grant' credit as Executive producer on the labels which later copies do not. The publishing credits are 'Warner Bros. Music Ltd'.
It also has the famous Aleister Crowley quotes 'Do what thou wilt' and 'So mote it be' etched on the dead wax and the rotating wheel still works perfectly on the gatefold. The audio is of an incredible standard, I have never heard better, and a comprehensive grading is detailed below.
A5 / 11 13 // B5 / 11 7 // Cat no 2401022
The audio on Side One is Near Mint (many sections are Mint / 'Out On The Tiles' is Ex+)
The audio on Side Two is Mint- (majority is Mint)
The gatefold cover is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
Visually this vinyl is in superb order and is without doubt the cleanest I have ever seen. It still has a fantastic glossy sheen despite being nearly 50 years old. S1 has only one faint mark on the final track that has no bearing on the audio. Under a strong bright light I could not see any hairlines or scratches at all. S2 is of the same visual quality with only one very small mark on the first track but again it has no affect on the stunning quality of the audio. The vinyl has to be seen to be believed it looks almost as new and I could not see a single hairlines let alone a scratch! There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount and it is obvious from the visual and audio quality of the vinyl that it has been incredibly well looked after down the decades.
Play grading
With barely any lead in static the classic 'Immigrant Song' plays with immense power and depth and is without doubt one of the best versions I have ever heard. So rare to find this quality on a genuine A5/B5 first press and is a stunning start! 'Friends' has audio of the same standard with no interference. For this relatively quiet track to play with no clicks, pops or crackle is a mega rarity. The clarity is incredibly good. 'Celebration Day' continues this quality, I am running out of superlatives here - this vinyl has to be heard to be believed! There is perhaps a very minor of distortion but it is in no way intrusive and still packs a wonderful punch! The bluesy 'Since I've Been Loving You' is another stunning highlight and plays with astonishing power and definition. The long quiet first section has no 'background' and just sounds perfect and grades as Mint- without doubt. If I'm being ultra-critical there is slight distortion on the top end during the mid section guitar solo but show me a first press that doesn't! I mention it because I am an honest and complete in my audio grading and the majority of sellers would not even mention it. It remains one of the best versions I have heard on a first pressing and again there are no clicks, pops or crackle. 'Out On The Tiles' ends the side with excellent audio. There is some distortion again which is more prevalent. However, it still 'rocks out' with great power and no other interference. The end guitar section especially plays with stunning power and no distortion. A fantastic end to a side playing with incredible quality.
'Gallows Pole' has no lead in static which is practically unheard of for a vinyl of this age. The acoustic intro plays with astounding audio and I only heard a couple of the quietest of dust ticks imaginable. There is minor 'hiss' sound in the background for the first few seconds but it in no way detracts from the high end quality of the audio. The rest of this track plays with incredible power and I am so impressed by the clarity here. There is no muddiness to the sound, it plays so clearly and with wonderful definition. 'Tangerine' again shows how vinyl should sound when a record is carefully looked after. There is no crackle on the quiet intro, just a couple of faint dust ticks, and the remainder plays with superb sound also. No distortion, no crackle, no nothing just pure unadulterated audio pleasure! For fear of being repetitive 'That's The Way' is stunning. The acoustic ending of the previous track and then the acoustic start to this track is just Mint there is no other way to describe it. A bold statement to make but I grade honestly as my 100% feedback testifies and I can only write what I hear! The audio continues in the same fashion with fantastic clarity and depth. I simply cannot believe the quality of this rare first pressing. 'Bron-y-aur Stomp' plays to the same standard and is another stunning listen. Again it deserves a Mint grading the audio is just immaculate. The final track 'Hats off to (Roy) Harper' ends this incredible first pressing with no interference and Mint audio once more.
In summary this is a final upgrade archive copy for certain. I have never heard a better A5/B5 first pressing and the audio knocks spots off later pressings and the more recent reissues. This stunning vinyl has no clicks, pops or crackle and how often can you say that with a first pressing? There is practically no static. This is how music should be heard, on high quality vinyl!
Gatefold cover
The laminated E.J. Day gatefold is in overall superb condition with only minor shelf and the wheel still rotates perfectly. It is definitely one of the cleanest first press gatefolds I have seen. The top edges are in wonderful condition and the bottom edges have only a very minor amount of rubbing and I do mean minor! The wide spine is in excellent order with only a small amount of creasing to the laminate. The laminate on the front cover in in great shape although the back cover does have some crease lines which is very common. There is however no splitting or lifting to the laminate. The inside of the gatefold remains in lovely condition and is extremely clean. There is a very minor amount of handling wear on the opening edge but much less than so many. There is also a little rubbing on the top right corner of the front cover and a little crease mark on the bottom left corner of the back cover but in all honesty it would be difficult to find a cleaner first press gatefold. It isn't mint but it is still a great example of this iconic cover and is very clean overall.
Poly-lined inner sleeve
The original 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner with patents numbers printed on the left and 'Made In England 38 0970' on the right. These numbers relate to the release date. It is in excellent condition with no splits or tears and only has a minor amount of creasing and a little age related marking near the top edge.
The labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition shape with no marks or writing and only a relatively small amount of spindle wear. As stated they have the Peter Grant production credit which denotes it as a very first pressing.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
A5 / 11 13 // B5 / 11 7 // Cat no 2401022
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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