‘Physical Graffiti' Led Zeppelin – Stereo LP - Rare ‘B4’ 1st Press – Near Mint

	£		145
	$		192

‘Physical Graffiti' Led Zeppelin – Rare ‘B4’ 1st Press – Near Mint

SwanSong Stereo Double LP SSK 89400

Matrix nos:

Disc 1 – side 1 – SSK 89400-A1

Led Zep really kept the quality coming on this seminal album - I bought this copy on its release and I've loved it ever since.

Having done some research I believe that this example has all the characteristics of a first press of Physical Graffiti:

• ‘B4’ Matrix suffix to Disc 1 side 2. Many copies have the later ‘B5’ suffix and are often mistakenly presented as ‘1st press’
• All matrices are stamped not etched
• Thick card ‘box’ cover with a wide spine construction on all 3 edges but the top opening.
• Red front spine text
• All UK sleeve credits. Rear outer sleeve credits:

‘SWANSONG/484 KINGS ROAD. LONDON SW10’

‘Cullderstead Ltd., trading as Swan Song’

‘A Swan Song/Atlantic recording distributed by WEA Records Ltd., p & © 1975’

• The gatefold ‘slip’ insert credits:

‘Gothic Print Finishers Ltd., London SE9 2EQ’

‘Swan Song SSK 89400’

‘SWANSONG, 484 KINGS ROAD, LONDON SW10’

• Inner sleeves printed on thick card with untreated grey inner surface. SSK 89400/A and SSK 89400/B printed respectively on the back (bottom right corner) of each. Later editions were on thinner card.
• ‘Made in UK’ on all labels at 9 o’clock
• No Warner Bros ‘WB’ logo on labels at 3 o’clock. Apparently ‘WB’ was printed on all presses after mid-1975

This is a genuine classic, a great rarity, and much sought after, especially a 1st press in such superb condition. I'm confident you won't be disappointed - hence my starting price.

Using the Record Collector Grading System I would rate this item overall as Mint-.

I am not a dealer. This record comes from my own collection which I have been selling here on ebay for a few months.  I don’t exaggerate the condition of my records.  Please take a look my feedback and you’ll see that previous buyers feel I have accurately graded my records in the past.

Cover

This LP has been housed in a clear plastic outer sleeve since purchase, therefore it is still in Mint condition with no notable flaws at all. It has a matt, thick card, box sleeve with two thick card inner sleeves all without any creases or scuffs. All the outer sleeve cut-outs are production-line perfect as is the inner gate-fold credit sheet. As you can see from the picture the whole package is clean and in outstanding condition with no writing or pen or pencil marks. It has no other significant marks and no tears. The spines are all intact and legible and the corners are perfect.

Record

The record itself I would grade Mint-. It has no visible blemishes at all that I can see.  The labels are clean and unmarked, with no writing, pen or pencil marks. There are no spindle marks.  The playing surfaces are gleaming have no visible scratches and look as good as new. The reproduction quality is about as good as it got from a 1975 vinyl pressing - it's never going to be digital quality, but pretty good nevertheless.  There are no audible scratches or crackles other than the usual surface noise that you'd get with any new vinyl record.  The lead in and play out grooves are clean and glitch-free.  I have test played both discs from start to finish and given the inherent limitations of the technology they still sound brilliant.

I believe this is as close as you'll get to a mint condition original copy of this very rare pressing. Although this record was a big UK hit it will be very hard to find a UK 1st press edition so well-preserved.

I'm happy to mail worldwide so if you want a price quote for p&p before you bid please let me know. Likewise if you have any questions I'm happy to answer. Thanks for looking.

Peter

This record will be sent Royal mail 1st Class Signed For @ £5.00 p&p for the UK.  I mail all overseas destinations using ‘Royal Mail International Signed For’ with additional compensation protection for higher value items.

I use purpose made cruciform cardboard mailers. The record itself will be placed in a new inner paper sleeve and packed separately from the outer record sleeve and the original inner sleeve to avoid seam splits in transit. Within the cardboard mailer, the whole package will travel in a clear plastic outer sleeve packed in bubble-wrap.

If once you have received the item you are not satisfied, then if the item is significantly different from the description given here I will refund the purchase price provided that the item is returned in the condition it was sent - return p&p will not be refunded.