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

Click images to enlarge

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 superb copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic sixth studio album, titled "Physical Graffiti", Catalogue Number SSK 89400. It's a 1975 UK first issue on the Swan Song record label, with a first issue Gothic Print Finishers Ltd. die-cut window sleeve. It comes complete with the correct wrap-around insert and picture inner sleeves. [The sleeve is the earliest UK design with the Swan Song, 484 Kings Road, London address on the back cover. The record matrix numbers are A1, B5, C2 and D1, which is confirmed by Discogs to be a first press variant. The record labels do not have Warner "W" logos at the 3 o' clock position, apart from the Side One label, which indicates that the records were pressed towards the end of the first issue run just as Warner "W" logoed labels were being introduced. The wrap-around insert has a shaped fold at the bottom. Both the insert and the picture inner sleeves are made from thick card].

The die-cut window sleeve is in VG+ condition with just light wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with the window cut-outs intact with no rips or damage. There is a bit of feathering to the top opening edges. The spines are square and solid with the characteristic red text clearly legible. Overall it's a very well preserved example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly pressed mid-weight records retain their original lustre and rotate evenly on the turntable. Visually both records are in EX condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are purely superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The Swan Song picture labels are like new with just a few faint spindle traces near the centres and virtually no wear to the spindle holes. I can confirm that the records have only received a modest number of careful plays. Audiowise all 4 sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is very powerful and dynamic with lots of wonderful guitar riffs and great bass. It really is a top playing copy in every respect.

The wrap-around picture insert is in excellent unmarked condition with just light age discoloration.

The picture inner sleeves are also in excellent unmarked condition with one just having a short 2cm split to the middle of the top edge .

Overall this is a superb and complete 1st issue of Led Zeppelin's highly accomplished fifth studio 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 Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50