LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 RED/PLUM ATLANTIC 1970 *Stunning* Audio NEAR MINT/MINT-
£
182
$
241
£ 182
Sold For
Mar 17, 2019
Sold Date
Mar 7, 2019
Start Date
£ 10
Start price
22
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
LED ZEPPELIN III A5 / B5 Atlantic 2401022 UK 1970 Red/Plum Label
This very early red/plum pressing does not have the 'Peter Grant' credit but it does nonetheless have the same A5/B5 matrix and interestingly has very low stampers. This matrix is rarely seen without the 'PG' credit so this can only add to its collectability. It also has the correct 'Celebration Day' credit on the S1 label.
The publishing credits are 'Warner Bros. Music Ltd'.
The famous Aleister Crowley quotes 'Do what thou wilt' and 'So mote it be' are etched on the dead wax.
The audio as detailed below plays to an immaculate standard and there is no intrusive interference at all. This is a genuine final upgrade vinyl and one that will not disappoint. The gatefold (with working wheel) is in excellent order as is the original inner.
2401022 // A5 / 1 2 1 1 // B5 / 1 5 1 6
The audio on S1 is Mint-
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 intro Ex+ / track 2 intro Ex)
The gatefold cover is Ex+
The labels are Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex-
Visual grading
This is a beautifully clean vinyl and has no scratches or marks of any kind. There are only a small number of faint hairlines, a couple more on S1 perhaps, but they have no bearing on the stunning quality of the audio. They are only hairlines after all and any record that has been played will have them. Talking of which this record has not been played a great deal as there is not too much spindle wear at all and that is another reason why the playback is so impressive. The vinyl retains a superb glossy sheen and the labels and run out grooves are also super clean. It is relatively rare to find a red/plum pressing as clean as this.
Play grading
From the very first groove 'Immigrant Song' plays with power and depth that is rarely heard today and with no interference of any kind. The entire track has a clarity that is second to none and quite simply the playback is 'as new'. Even in the momentary silences there is no 'background', not even a dust tick. As any Led Zepp vinyl fan knows the bass is so strong here and there is also no distortion on the top end. This is unquestionably a Mint- start to the album.
The spoken intro on 'Friends' has a couple of dust ticks only and plays nigh on perfectly with no clicks or pops. As it continues there is no decrease in quality and the sonic quality is so impressive. You can hear each note so clearly and the clarity is again sublime. Audio doe not get batter than this! The sound quality is of record pressed yesterday not nearly 50 years ago!
'Celebration Day' has only a minimal amount of mega light static on the intro but once the vocal begins the audio could not be any better and as Bonham joins the party wow what playback! This is 'high end' audio and it continues in the same way. There is so much 'sound' going on here and often there will be some distortion but that is certainly not the case here and this is another prime example of a vinyl that has only been lightly played and extremely well preserved down the years. It plays to a Mint- standard and that includes the long fade out that has no 'background' which is such a rarity.
The intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' is so clean and rarely have I heard it play with such precision. Yes there is one faint 'tick' but that is the only noticeable 'background' and even then it is so quiet. This is as near to a perfect start that you will find. A stunning intro without doubt. Plant's first vocal is of the same exacting standard and with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks this is audio of the highest calibre. It plays beautifully and there is absolutely nothing that intrudes on the immaculate quality of the audio. As the volume increases there is no loss in clarity and Page's solo is so powerful and with only a couple of 'ticks' (not clicks!) it plays with incredible power and depth and no distortion whatsoever. The following quiet section is amazingly 'clean' with no discernible static and to the end this classic plays with astounding depth and again such dynamic power. This has to be one of the finest versions of this classic that I have ever heard. It builds to such a level with the music so loud and of course Plant's vocals are on such a high register and yet there is just no interference, no distortion of any kind. The audio is of a quality so rarely heard on these red/plum pressings.
'Out On The Tiles' again plays with fantastic quality from start to finish. Without wishing to over emphasise the quality of the audio I am confident in saying this is up there with the best versions I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. The clarity and power on display here is astounding and what is so incredibly rare is that there is barely any distortion. I really am running out of superlatives the playback is just stunning! The instrumental section towards the end is superb! The bass is so strong and again the lack of distortion is what really stands out. I just cannot believe what I am hearing and even the long fade out has no 'background' at all! What a breathtaking end to a side that plays with final upgrade archive audio from the first note to the last.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The very quiet intro on 'Gallows Pole' has a little background 'hiss' but that is a common feature of this album and does not detract from the overall sound. It soon decreases and there is also barely any static, a very impressive start without doubt. As the track 'gets going' the audio is stunning and this continues when Bonham joins the fray. From that point on this is audio of the highest quality and grades as Mint- and the minus is only used so as to adhere to Record Collector guidelines! To all intents and purposes the playback is Mint and this strong percussion led track could scarcely play any better.
'Tangerine' is another track with a very quiet intro and again there is a little 'hiss' to be heard. I am sure this is just the way it was recorded. There are also a handful of light ticks but they are not intrusive in my opinion. As the vocal begins the clarity is superb and as the volume increases the audio is of a wonderful standard. The remainder of the track does not disappoint and there is not a single click or pop. I mention clarity a lot I know but that of course is how any vinyl should be judged and the clarity and definition of the audio here is nigh on perfect. A special mention for the quiet ending - I have never heard cleaner. In a word...stunning.
'That's The Way' continues in the same and if ever there was a Mint version to be heard then this is it! I cannot stress enough just how immaculate this entire track is. It plays as 'cleanly' as the day when it was first released and there is not one single dust tick let alone anything worse. With no distortion either this is why we listen to vinyl, the depth and warmth cannot be replicated by any other medium. This is just astounding! When the bass comes in towards the end the playback could not be any better and again the fade out plays with perfect Mint- precision.
'Bron-y-aur Stomp' and the 'Hats off to (Roy) Harper' end the side with impeccable Mint- audio once more. I am not exaggerating when I say both tracks play as 'as new' the clarity and depth is as per any new record. Better really as new vinyl is often inferior in my opinion! The clarity and sonic quality could not be improved upon and for the final track to have no distortion is a rarity. Both tracks provide a stunning finish to an album that plays with no intrusive interference from beginning to end. There is just a touch of mega light static literally on the final note of each track but there is no other 'background' at all. This album is a stunning find without question.
In summary this early pressing plays with stunning 'high end' quality on both sides. There is only a very minor amount of 'background' on two intros and I am confident in saying this is a final upgrade archive red/plum press. Rarely will you hear such immaculate clarity and power and as my feedback confirms I grade with integrity and if I say a track plays 'as new' I am not exaggerating! I do not use the term Mint lightly and I am only confident in using this grade as I listen to every second of every track and quite often more than once. As my regular customers are aware I do not over-grade my records and if there is a hint of static or even a light dust tick I will mention it and likewise if the audio is of perfect quality this will be stated. It is not in my interests to 'over-exaggerate' and yes this is without doubt one of the most impressive red/plum vinyls I have ever heard. In all honesty the vast majority of this record is of Mint quality and the gatefold is also very clean as is the original inner. A stunning 'package' overall that will not disappoint.
The Gatefold
This fully laminated E.J. Day gatefold is in excellent condition with only minor wear and the 'wheel' rotates perfectly. The top and bottom edges of the front cover are entirely open which isn't usually the case. They are generally found partially open so that the wheel can rotate freely. Aside from that they are very clean with barely any rubbing and the edges of the back cover are in pristine condition. The wide spine is also in superb shape with no wear and only the right corners have a minimal amount of rubbing, it is very minor. The opening edge has hardly any handling wear and remains very clean. The laminate throughout is in excellent condition with only a minor crease by the bottom edge on the back cover. The front cover is extremely clean and has no marking and only a minor amount of barely visible creasing top right. The back cover is also very clean with only a couple of very faint marks and there is none of the discolouration that you so often see. The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with no obvious marking at all, just a couple of 'specks'. Overall this is a very impressive version of this gatefold.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner has just the one small side split and some creasing but has very little of the age related fading that you so often see. It has 0970 printed in one which relates to the original release date.
The labels
The red/plum labels are fine examples of their kind and have no marking etc and have retained their original vivid colours incredibly well. As stated there is not very much spindle wear either.
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 cleaning machine
2401022 // A5 / 1 2 1 1 // B5 / 1 5 1 6
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
UK Postage Rates (First Class)
LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE
LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!
In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out! Many thanks. Please look at my other items on now!
price rating
