LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI A1/B5/C1/D1 Mega Early PRESS MINT- *STUNNING*
£
126
$
167
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Description
Led Zeppelin : Physical Graffiti A1 / B5 / C1 / D1
This mega early pressing is in immaculate condition and I have never seen or heard better. The previous owner (from new) told me that he only played each vinyl the once in order to record it to tape and indeed they are visually stunning and look 'as new'.
A first pressing is denoted by B4 on the B Side so one with a B5 is generally considered as a second pressing. However, many aficionados deem it as a first press and it was manufactured so soon after the B4 one.
It was released on the Swan Song Label and the cover has '484 Kings Road' address on the reverse side. There is no Warner Bros logo on the labels and the spine has the red text which denotes it as a first issue cover.
On a separate listing I am also selling a stunning A2/B1 pressing of 'Presence' that I bought from the same owner.
SSK 89400 /// A1 / B5 / C1 / D1
The audio on Side One is Near Mint
The audio on Side Two is Mint-
The audio on Side Three is Mint-
The audio on Side Four is Mint-
The cover is Near Mint-
The labels are Mint
The fold-over 'credits' sleeve is Mint-
The inner picture sleeves are Mint
Visual grading
Visually you will not see better. I have no reason to doubt the previous owner when he said they were played only once as they have no spindle wear whatsoever and they shine like new. No exaggeration, they look as new and have a beautiful glossy sheen. Under a strong bright light they have no hairlines, scratches or marks at all and would be classed as immaculate if released last year let alone in 1975 which this one was!
Play grading
'Custard Pie' on S1 starts proceedings with stunning clarity all the way through with only a handful of static ticks on the first few seconds. 'The Rover' continues the immaculate audio with no interference and grades as Mint- without doubt. The classic 'In My Time Of Dying' is quite possibly the best version I have heard. So rare to find audio as good on this on such an early pressing. Apart from a couple of clicks at the start and one pop further in the clarity and depth is immense and the remainder plays with no other static, crackle, clicks or pops. You find the odd click or dust tick on new vinyl and in all honesty this side plays as per high quality new vinyl, the sound quality is that good. The quiet end section has no 'background' whatsoever. Absolutely stunning!
It is no exaggeration to grade S2 as Mint- the depth and warmth of the audio is again just so apparent. I heard one pop at the start of 'Trampled Underfoot' but aside from that there is no other interference. The classic 'Kashmir' has sublime audio and the quality is just amazing for a vinyl of but there is some light crackle again. In saying that there are no loud clicks, pops or jumps and for a vinyl over 40 years of age.
'In The Light' on S3 begins with a minimal amount of static (not crackle!) for about 10 seconds but is so much in the background as to be negligible. The rest of the track plays with immense power and honestly I just cannot believe the audio on offer here. It is 100% mind-blowing! The quiet 'Bron-Yr-Aur' again has stunning audio with not even a hint of static, playing 'like new'. The remainder of the side equals this standard and 'Ten Years Gone' has is another fine example of just how 'Mint' the audio is. The more delicate guitar sections play so quietly you could hear a pin drop! No interference at all.
'Night Flight' once more plays with 'new' audio. This is getting rather repetitive now! As per any Led Zep LP the bass plays so strongly and with such depth and 'The Wanton Song' is a great example of this. If you want a perfect sounding 'foot stomper' then this version of 'Boogie With Stu' is for you! If further proof was needed then the 'chat' at the start of 'Black Country Woman' has no 'background' at all. The remainder of the track plays with Mint audio. 'Sick Again' ends the album with audio of the highest standard and with the bass so high in the mix again.
In summary this is an absolutely stunning album and is a final upgrade, archive copy without a shadow of a doubt. I take my gradings seriously as my feedback testifies and I am never one to exaggerate. I have graded S1 as Near Mint and perhaps that is being harsh! The other three sides I have graded as Mint- and if I'm honest I have only used the minus because the album isn't sealed. This is quite simply the best 'Physical Grafitti' I have heard and for the audio to play with this immaculate quality makes this mega early pressing a genuine rarity, a real collectors' piece.
Cover
The gatefold, with 484 Kings Road address printed on the reverse, is just a shade off Mint and has been so well preserved down the decades. So often you will find the edges and corners badly damaged or a 'window' or two torn but not here! It has obviously been hardly handled and at first glance you would think it was new. The edges and corners are in near perfect condition and the spine (with red lettering) matches that quality. The opening edge is also in near Mint condition, further proof if it was needed that the vinyls have hardly ever been removed from the cover. The back cover only has a 3/4 very small rub marks but they are barely noticeable. One edge of one window is slightly 'depressed' but not torn. It would be extremely difficult to find a better early press gatefold than this.
Fold-over 'credits' sleeve + Inner picture sleeves
The fold-over credits sleeve is in superb condition with no marks or staining at all. It is practically as new with only the tiniest amount of rubbing on a couple of areas. You need a microscope to see them!
The inner sleeves are in 100% Mint condition, I have never seen better. They both have the catalogue number followed by A and B on one side of each sleeve respectively.
The labels
They are both in Mint condition with no markings/writing and no spindle wear either.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
SSK 89400 /// A1 / B5 / C1 / D1
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AS TOO MANY ITEMS GO MISSING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKED IN PROFESSIONAL MAILERS WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED IN SEPARATE SLEEVES AND PLACED OUTSIDE THE COVER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST.
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK AS SOON AS I RECEIVE FEEDBACK - SO I KNOW THE ITEM WAS 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 putting plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Marillion items on the site so please keep a look out! Many thanks. Please look at my other items on now!
FOR ITEMS SENT OVERSEAS I WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" ESPECIALLY FOR ITEMS SELLING OVER £40.00. IT PROTECTS US BOTH IF ITEMS GET LOST OR DAMAGED IN THE POST AND COSTS AND EXTRA £6.00 SO PLEASE JUST ASK IF YOU WOULD PREFER THIS.
UK POSTAGE RATES (SECOND CLASS)
LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE
LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra
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