LED ZEPPELIN, PHYSICAL GRAFFITI, SUPERB & COMPLETE 1975 UK SWAN SONG 1st ISSUE

	£		107
	$		142

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It's my pleasure to offer for auction an exceptional copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic studio double album titled “Physical Graffiti”, Catalogue Number SSK 89400. It's a 1975 UK Swan Song 1st issue with a Gothic Print Finishers Ltd. die-cut window sleeve. It comes complete with the original gatefold credits insert and picture inner sleeves. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design with the Swan Song 484 Kings Road address on the back cover and red text on the spine. The gatefold credits insert has a proper shaped spine and both the credits insert and the picture inner sleeves are made out of thick card. The Swan Song record labels do not have Warner "W" logos as on later pressings. The matrix numbers are the earliest A1, B5, C1 and D1 (both B4 and B5 are acknowledged as being the first press matrix numbers and were available upon release].

The sleeve is in EX+/MINT- condition with only the lightest traces of wear. It's a near perfect sleeve which will be almost impossile to match. It's the nicest one I've seen in years. I've included plenty of photos to enable you to judge the exceptional condition for yourself.

The top quality mid-weight records are visually in EX condition although these strict visual grades do not do them justice. If it weren't for 2 superficial rub-type surface marks (not scratches), which have no effect whatsoever on the audio playback, they would be graded MINT-. The Swan Song picture labels are like new with maybe just a couple of faint spindle traces each side. There is no wear to either spindle hole. I can confirm that the records have only received a few careful plays on a high quality deck. Both records play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. The first press sound mix is very powerful and vibrant with great bass. It has to be an original UK Swan Song pressing to fully appreciate Physical Graffiti. Later pressings have a different sound mix and lack the audio impact. This particular copy plays flawlessly - it won’t disappoint!

The gatefold credits insert is in unmarked EX+ condition.

The picture inner sleeves are both in unmarked EX condition with just a couple of short bruises to the edges.

Overall this is a superb and complete day of release first issue with a near perfect sleeve and MINT- audio playback. Very nice indeed!

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 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 media 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 Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £14.80

Worldwide - £19.60

Apologies for the high postage cost - this is due to a recent rise in Royal Mail international postage rates, and Ebay introducing a 10% final value fee on postage (which seems very unfair to me!)