RARE LED ZEPPELIN I Atlantic SD 8216 WHITE LABEL PROMO

$

200

LED ZEPPELIN, SELF-TITLED DEBUT WHITE LABEL PROMO (WLP) LP, Atlantic SD 8216, U.S. original pressing with dead wax matrices ending in –A on each side.  This is one of the rarest Atlantic white label promos from the late 60’s and one of the most sought after Led Zeppelin records.  This record is much rarer than the first U.K. pressing with the turquoise-color Atlantic logo on the cover, which I see quite often on eBay.  In addition, the first U.K. pressing was mastered too hot and Side 2 (especially tracks like “Communication Breakdown”) is an ear bleeder).  This WLP comes from the estate of a well-known Rock DJ in Philadelphia.

Cover Condition:   VG+ because of corner wear, some ring wear at the top and bottom, several bits of dirt and rub wear here and there, and a small pen mark on Robert Plant’s chest on the back of the cover.  (Please see photos; please excuse the low resolution photos.)  The original paper inner sleeve evidences little handling and is clean. 

Vinyl Condition:  Excellent because of a few non-feelable sleeve marks visible under a strong light.  The clean and new-looking label on each side shows 2 to 5 spindle trails.  The record is shiny like new and evidences little play.  It plays NM- with occasional ticks here and there, typical of Atlantic vinyl of the late 60’s, EXCEPT during a 1/16 inch non-feelable mark in the middle of track 5 of Side 2 (“How Many More Times”) that creates some surface noise for about 7 revolutions.

I reserve the right to refuse to honor bids by buyers from countries where shipment routinely gets lost, damaged or delayed and buyers who have a pattern of nonpayment or negative feedback.  Please contact me before bidding should you have any concerns.

GRADING POLICY FOR LPS:  I will try to describe the cover, any inner sleeve, any inserts and the record as well as I can.  I will also try to show photos of those areas of the cover, inner sleeve, insert and/or label of the record that I think would be of special interest to the potential buyer (such as significant wear, tear, seam splits, stickers, misprints, etc.).  For the condition of the record, one should focus more on my description rather than the grading, as I will try to play grade the record whenever possible.  For the condition of the cover, inner sleeve, insert and label of the record, one should focus more on the photos and my description rather than the grading.  All listed records have been cleaned on my VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine and have been placed in a poly-lined or rice paper sleeves, unless otherwise noted in the description or the records are sealed.

Cover Grading: 

Sealed:  The item is still sealed inside the original shrink wrap or plastic bag that the item came in.

Mint (M):  The item has been opened but never played; it is like new but just opened.

Near Mint (NM):  The cover is nearly mint, with maybe a hint of wear from storage.

Excellent (E):  The cover is solid and crisp with a couple of flaws or bits of wear here and there.

Very Good Plus (VG+):  The cover is generally clean and still collectible with some wear and chipping.

Very Good (VG):  The cover shows readily noticeable wear and flaws; not in collectible condition.

Good (G):  The cover has much wear and tear; the item should not be purchased for the cover.

Poor (P):  The cover has been trashed and may not even be in one piece.

Vinyl Grading:  The grading will be relative to a mint record of the period manufactured by the same record company.  Therefore, the standards will not be the same between, for example, a Japanese Pioneer pressing or German Teldec pressing of the early 80’s and a U.S. Columbia pressing or U.S. MCA pressing of the late 70’s.  A Near Mint graded late 70’s U.S. Columbia or MCA record will play with considerably more background noise caused by cheaper vinyl material than a Near Mint graded early 80’s Japanese Pioneer or German Teldec record.

Sealed:  The item is still sealed inside the original shrink wrap or plastic bag that the item came in.

Mint (M):  The item has been opened but never played; it should play like new.

Near Mint (NM):  The record and labels indicate that the record may have been played once or twice, with no scratches or scuffs, even under a strong light; if play graded, the record plays almost as quietly as if the record were new.

Near Mint Minus (NM-):  The labels may show 3 to 5 spindle trails or a hint of spindle hole wear; the record is clean with full shine with maybe a sleeve scuff or two on each side not audibly affecting play.  From my experience, this is what many eBay sellers claim to be “like new”.

Excellent (E):  The labels may show a few spindle trails or a bit of spindle hole wear; the record is still clean and shiny with a few sleeve scuffs and marks not audibly affecting play.  In my experience, this is what many eBay sellers claim to be “near mint”.

Very Good Plus (VG+):  The labels may show several spindle trails or some spindle hole wear; the record may show some scuffs, marks and scratches generally not audibly affecting play but may cause a soft tick, click, static noise or pop here and there.  In my experience, this is what many eBay sellers claim to be “excellent”, and some eBay sellers claim to be “near mint”.

Very Good (VG):  The labels may show several spindle trails or much spindle hole wear; the record may show several scuffs, marks and scratches which may cause loud ticks, clicks, static noise or pops.  In my experience, this is what many eBay sellers claim to be “VG+”.

SHIPPING POLICY:  The LP will be packed in a cardboard box LP mailer manufactured by ULINE.  The record will be placed in a new poly-lined or Japanese rice paper inner sleeve outside of the LP outer jacket so that it will not damage the cover or original inner sleeve during transit.  The cover and the original inner sleeve will be inside a new poly record jacket sleeve.  For U.S. destinations, the shipping cost for 1 record delivered via US Post Office Priority Mail will be $7 if your State touches the Pacific Ocean, $9 if your State or Commonwealth touches the Atlantic Ocean, and $8 if your State touches neither Ocean.  For each additional record, add $2 each for up to 6 records.  (Each LP mailer will fit up to about 6 records.)  For example, for a boxed set containing 3 records, just add $4 to the shipping cost of the first record.  If you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office (e.g., First Class or Express Mail) or a private courier service (e.g., FedEx or UPS), please contact me.   For destinations outside of the U.S., I will ship via US Post Office Express Mail only (because I think the US Post Office does not offer insurance for International Priority Mail).  Please contact me regarding the cost or if you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office or a private courier service (e.g., FedEx or DHL).  I will NOT be responsible for UNINSURED items lost, damaged or delayed during transit.  If you would like to pay for insurance, please contact me regarding the cost.   

PAYMENT POLICY:  I accept PayPal and U.S.-negotiable cashier’s check.  Payment must be made within five (5) business days after the bidding for the item ends.  If that timing does not work for you (because, for example, you will be on vacation, etc.), please contact me BEFORE bidding.

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION AND RETURN POLICY:  I have collected records for over 25 years, and have decided to sell some records that I never play (probably due to their value).  Most of my records (especially records that I would offer on eBay) would probably be graded by most eBay sellers as NM.  I grade more harshly, however, because I do not offer a money back guarantee.  I have heard too many horror stories from other eBay sellers.  None of my previous buyers have ever been disappointed with my records, however.  Please check out my feedback as a seller.  You will see that I sold several valuable records about two and a half years ago with very satisfied buyers.  If this sale goes smoothly, I will be back in a couple of weeks to list additional rare records.