Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV LP (UK orig., first issue, Plum, EARLIEST!!, EX-)

This is an LP by Led Zeppelin called Led Zeppelin IV, released in the UK by Atlantic Records in 1971.   This is a very rare earliest possible "first pressing" you will find.

How do I know this is the earliest first pressing of this iconic album?  There are some subtle but definitive differences.   

First, like all first pressings from Atlantic in this era, the labels are a plum/red (or orange, whichever you prefer) colour.  However, the colour of these labels are actually slightly different, deeper and more vibrant in colour than later pressings!! 

Second, all of these very first pressings (and there were only a few hundred ever made!!!) have different label configuration and matrix numbers than later pressings.  

Most of the LZ IV "first pressing" plum labels will have A3/B4 matrix endings.  Some will have A3/B3 matrix endings however the difference between those pressings and this very earliest pressing is the label configuration.   There are several differences and these earliest possible pressings had vastly different labels which were changed even before the official release date!!  Like I said,  these are extremely rare and there are only a few hundred in existence!!  

1.   The text "Under license from Atlantic Recording Corp., USA" is printed just above the white strip, in the red part of the label.  Later "first" pressings have the text within the white strip.   This text is also seen within the white strip on previous LZ albums (LZ II & LZ III) so for the text to be above the white strip on this one is a definite departure from the normal. 

2.   The "Superhype" credits are totally missing!!  The labels only list Kinney Music Ltd at the bottom of the track listing, completely forgetting "Superhype Music".  

3.    The band name is in a completely different part of the label than the later pressings.   In the later issues,  "Led Zeppelin" is positioned in larger lettering near the top of the label.  In these earliest pressings, the band name is in smaller letters near the bottom of the label. 

4.   The extra Peter Grant credit.    There is a production credit printed on the bottom of each label which does not appear on any of the later issue labels.  

5.   The last difference is the inner sleeve.  The inner sleeve is a darker colour, matte flipback.

VINYL:  EX-         The vinyl is extremely nice and shiny with only some faint paper marks.  There are no visible hairlines or noticeable surface marks.  I have actually played this record on my "new" Thorens TD 160 and it sounds amazing!   There are some dust crackles in the very quiet parts and a little between tracks however there is nothing within the tracks which can be heard.   No loud pops, no skips, jumps or distortion.  

I suspect a good professional cleaning would clear up some of the dust crackles as this record has been in storage for quite a while.  

LABELS:  EX        The labels have several faint spindle marks but are otherwise clean.  There are no stains, no wear on surface or typeface, no sticker marks or writing.    Please see the points above and be assured this is a genuine very first, 1971, pressing!!  

INNER:  VG         The darker, matte flipback inner sleeve is quite nice despite having splits in the edges.  There is no surface wear, no stains, no stickers or writing.   There are, as mentioned, large splits in two edges and only the beginnings of a tiny split in the third edge.  There is also very slight corner wear.  

SLEEVE: VG+       The gatefold sleeve is also quite nice with some slight corner wear, a small bash on the bottom left corner, heavy wear to the spine and bottom edge.   There is also very slight rubbing wear on the inside of the gatefold and only a hint of surface wear on the outer surfaces.  

CAT NO:  2401012

MATRIX:  A3/B3

If you are planning to bid, please take a moment to read the details below and be an informed buyer.  Above anything else, please email me if you have any questions. 

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Email for combined postage rates.  I use heavy mailers with stiffeners and plastic sleeves which are included in the postage.  All items will have Proof of Postage.  Anything over £30 will be sent recorded delivery which is £0.95 extra within the UK and £5.15 in addition to normal postage charges for the rest of the world.  Special Delivery is available upon request.   This will cost more so please ask for estimated postage charges before you buy.     With apologies to our buyers, we have had to increase postage costs in response to a massive increase in postage by Royal Mail.  We still only charge what it costs us + a few pence for the cost of packing materials.  

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RETURNS:  Quite simple:  For any reason you aren't happy, send it back to me.  If I messed up - full refund including return postage.   If I didn't mess up - refund of purchase less postage.  Email me with anything,  I'm flexible so just give me a chance to work things out.   

ITEM CONDITION:  All items are used unless otherwise stated.  I do my best to describe everything as accurately as possible but I'm human and do get it wrong sometimes.  I will happily accept returns with full refund + postage when the item is received in the condition it was sent.  I am using the Record Collector grading guide and only visually grade.  Any records I'm not sure about, I will listen to and note in the description. 

After reading all this, if I make a mistake, I would appreciate not receiving bad ratings for item description as I am an honest, independent seller and am trying my best.  Please contact me with questions before bidding and I will provide extra photos of sleeve, spine and record condition upon request. 

Please feel free to email if you have any questions or concerns as I will happily do what I can to resolve. 

Thanks and good luck.