LED ZEPPELIN IV 4 1971 UK PLUM ATLANTIC 1st PRESS VERSION 2 LABELS TOP AUDIO!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a very early copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic fourth studio album, simply titled Led Zeppelin IV, Catalogue Number 2401 012. It's a 1971 UK first pressing on the plum & orange Atlantic record label, with a first issue matt-finish gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the correct lyric/credits inner sleeve made from soft card. The record matrix numbers are the earliest stamped 2401012## A//3 and 2401012 B//3. "PECKO DUCK" and "PORKY" are etched in the run-outs of Sides One and Two respectively.

The record labels are the very early "Version 2" which only differ from Version 1 in that the feather symbol on Side Two has been corrected from being upside down to being the right way up. The other distinctive features of Version 2 labels are:
1. "Under licence fron Atlantic Recording Corpn., U.S.A." text is printed above the white band across the centre of the label. All later red/plum labels have this text inside the white band.
2. Publishing credits were accidentally omitted on these earliest 1st press labels, which only credit "Kinney Music Ltd." below the track listing. All later red/plum labels credit "Kinney Music/Superhype Music Inc."
3. The "LED ZEPPELIN" text is positioned towards the bottom of the label (below the white band) and the print size is quite small. All later red/plum labels have the "LED ZEPPELIN" text above the white band, below the four symbols, in larger print.
4. The earliest labels have the text "Executive Producer: Peter Grant" at the bottom underneath "LED ZEPPELIN". This was removed from all later red/plum labels, apparently at the insistence of Jimmy Page.

The gatefold sleeve is in VG(+) condition with just light storage wear to the edges and corners and no creases of any significance. The front cover is unmarked. The back cover shows barely any ringwear which is very unusual for this sleeve, but does have a sticker removal mark near the top right corner. The opening gatefold spread is pristine. The spine is solid with only light signs of wear. Overall it's a very presentable example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record retains a nice lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in EX condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any significant impact on the audio playback. The plum and orange Atlantic labels are like new with only a few short spindle traces each side. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. It is clear that the record has not been played very many times. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is nothing short of sensational - massively powerful and dynamic with incredible bass. If you haven't listened to a true first pressing of Led Zeppelin IV before I guarantee that the audio will be a revelation. It really is a top playing copy in every respect.

The lyric/credits inner sleeve is made from dark grey soft card. It has flipbacks along the side edges and no printed catalogue number. There is a split along most of the length of the bottom edge, very short splits to both side edges and a few small nicks/tears to the opening edges. It is otherwise very presentable.

Overall this is a superb and very early 1st press copy of Led Zeppelin's highly accomplished fourth 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 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 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 Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50