LED ZEPPELIN IV 4, ORIGINAL 1971 UK PLUM ATLANTIC

	£		126
	$		167

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer a superb example of the brilliant fourth studio album by LED ZEPPELIN simply titled “LED ZEPPELIN IV”, Catalogue Number 2401012. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK STEREO PRESSING on the PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC RECORDS LABEL, with the 1st issue matt finish gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue grey card lyric/credits inner sleeve. [The Matrix Numbers are A//3, B//4 and “PECKO DUCK” and “PORKY” are etched in the run-outs of Sides One and Two respectively. The Side Two label has the “Misty Mountain Top” misprint, which although not particularly rare, is an interesting feature].

The matt finish gatefold sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest of wear and barely any creasing. The front cover and opening gatefold spread are perfect. The back cover has a few tiny marks near the top edge but is otherwise in excellent shape. You can see from the photos that this is a beautiful example of this notoriously fragile sleeve. I think that it will be almost impossible to find a better one!

The record is solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. Visually it is in EX+ condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are of course only cosmetic and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The beautiful plum & orange Atlantic labels are unmarked with only a few spindle traces near the centres. I bought this LP upon release and can confirm that the record has only been played a few times on high end equipment with a light tracking weight.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This top quality Atlantic pressing plays with outstanding sound quality. The stereo playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant and the bass is very impressive. Both sides play essentially as new. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence and there is virtually no unwanted noise at all. You simply will not find a better-playing copy of Zeppelin’s masterpiece – I guarantee it!

The textured soft card lyric/credits inner sleeve has a small tear to one opening edge and a 2cm split to the middle of the bottom edge. It is otherwise unmarked and is a very presentable example.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are 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 which do not sound, and barely any discernable 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. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £41 value - £9.95

Europe over £41 value - £12.45

Worldwide up to £41 value - £13.30

Worldwide over £41 value - £15.80

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs

I do not make a profit on international postage – Royal Mail international postage charges went up significantly on 6th April 2010. If you are not happy with the International postage costs above – please do not bid.