LED ZEPPELIN IV 1971 UK RED/PLUM A3/B3 ORIGINAL GLOSSY VINYL IMPRESSIVE AUDIO

	£		132
	$		175

LED ZEPPELIN - LED ZEPPELIN IV 4 (or sometimes referred to as " ZOSO ")

A solid very good plus condition and great sounding copy of this increasingly rare and highly sought after 1971 UK 1st press Led Zep rock masterpiece, with original A3, B3 vinyl matrix numbers on the coveted red & plum Atlantic record label, STEREO, 2401012

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1    2401012 A//3 with stampers "11"  and "25" at 2 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively, and also etched "PECKO DUCK"

Side 2    2401012 B//3 with stampers "1 2  4" at 5 o'clock, and also etched "PORKY"

The appearance and overall condition of the flat vinyl is at least excellent (EX). Each side gleams, with a lovely jet black sheen and in normal daylight comes across as at least excellent. With close scrutiny under a bright light some small and very wispy hairlines come into view along with a few small and very light scuff marks on each side of the vinyl - not obvious, even under a bright light, nothing feelable, nothing below the surface, and all trivial and superficial. 

The labels are very good plus (VG+). Lovely condition labels with black text upon the smooth red/plum/white background and, of course, the iconic Atlantic logo, all in tip-top condition. The only blemishes are just a few small and very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label and some very faint age discolouration slightly brown spots on the side 1 label - not immediately obvious but they are there.

The condition of the non-laminated outer sleeve is very good (VG). Each edge, including the spine, remains firm and there is no cardboard creasing but there is some light but continuous scuffing along the bottom edges along with some sporadic and very light scuff marks on the top edges and spine (less so on the spine), and on the reverse a small area of light ring wear. Each corner remains a nicely defined right angle but there is some scuffing on each, and there are x3 2cm light surface crease marks adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on the front side and another x4 on the reverse side, though none of these impinge upon the rigidity of the spine itself. The condition of the inside of the gatefold remains excellent with jus ta small area of light vertical scuffing on the spine itself. All colors and art work remain nicely intact with excellent clarity and definition and there is no unwanted writing. Presentable? Yes. Excellent? No. A solid very good? Definitely!

The quality of the audio is excellent (EX). Great tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No repeats, sticks or clicks and barely any crackle or interference - just the hint of some very mild background crackle during a couple of the quieter moments and at the very beginning of each side...nothing of significance and certainly nothing to spoil the truly excellent sound quality with every track on this timeless masterpiece making for a great listen. These 1st pressings have so much more power and "raunchiness" than later pressings/re-issues, which somehow seem diluted. Tremendous!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. BLACK DOG

2. ROCK AND ROLL

3. THE BATTLE OF EVERMORE

4. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Side 2 :

1. MISTY MOUNTAIN HOP

2. FOUR STICKS

3. GOING TO CALIFORNIA

4. WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS

Comes with 1st press dark grey, dual foldback edged inner sleeve with lyrics to 'Stairway to Heaven' on one side and track titles and credits on the other : there is a single 10cm diagonal very light crease at the top left corner (not obvious at all), a 12cm seam split in the middle of the bottom edge along with a horizontal strip of discolouration adjacent to each side of the bottom edge where once some sellotape was placed, and a 2cm seam split in the middle of the right edge...still remaining functional nonetheless and with no other blemishes. Note that I always use a new, plain white replacement inner sleeve for shipping purposes in order to protect the original.

In summary a very nice condition (with the vinyl and sound quality being the real highlights - both are truly excellent) copy of this rare and sought after 1971 UK early UK press Led Zeppelin rock classic - the whole LP remains a brilliant listen. A "must" for any serious rock vinyl collection and will only continue to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 65 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £4.00, Royal Mail 1st class signed for; 

Continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15 respectively, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail tracked and signed for

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler