I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Led Zeppelin : Houses Of The Holy A2 / B2 1st Press w/ Obi 1973

This genuine first press plays to a superb standard with only minimal intrusion.  The only 'real' interference is some static / crackle during the quiet part on 'The Crunge' but of course that does not last long.  The two quieter tracks 'The Rain Song' and 'No Quarter' really do stand out as genuine classics as for once they play so clearly with only very minimal light statics.  These two are so often affected by a fair amount of background but not here.  The other tracks play with stunning clarity, depth and power and the original sonic quality has been retained.  The vinyl is in great shape also with just some light hairlines.

The cover has been preserved so well and is in fantastic condition.  No exaggeration at first glance it looks 'as new' and only the top of the opening edge has a little 'crimping', nothing major.  The all important Obi, so often missing, is incredibly clean with only minimal wear and the lyric inner has only a couple of minor 'print' marks.  A stunning 'package'!

This first pressing has the A2/B2 matrix, the Obi of course and the run offs have the RL (Robert Ludwig) etching on both sides.  Records 'cut' by him are generally more collectable as they have a greater depth and power.

K 50014 // A2 / B2 // STERLING (stamped) & RL (etched) on both run outs

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 ranges between Ex+ & Mint- / T4 VG very brief quiet section) 

The gatefold is Near Mint

The obi is Ex+

The lyric inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  When I look under a bright light I can see some faint hairlines and a couple of ultra faint hairline scuffs on S1 but they have zero impact on the audio.  S2 has a few more faint hairlines and a small number of minor 'specks' but again this is superficial as they do not affect the audio.  The Atlantic labels are unmarked and have barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The entire intro on 'The Song Remains The Same' plays with stunning clarity and power with no intrusion at all.  Plant's slightly sped up opening vocal section is of the same standard and the mid instrumental plays with great sonic quality, 'as new' basically.  This is a 'busy' track and yet the audio definition and separation is as impressive as would have been back in '73.  No loss in sonic quality and it continues in this way to the very end including the fade out.  Without question this is a dynamic Mint start to the album.

The acoustic intro on 'The Rain Song' plays beautifully with no interference and only 3/4 very quiet statics.  The opening vocal again has only a handful of light background statics that in no way intrude on the quality of the 'listen'.  The long instrumental then plays with exceptional clarity and... no clicks or pops.  I heard a small number of minor ticks during Jones' mellotron section but again so quiet and non-intrusive.  The next vocal is faultless and as the volume increases each note is so clean and precise, for example you can easily hear the piano playing.  The rest of this classic has a stunning clarity of sound with only a couple of mega quiet statics on the quiet end section.  I believe a Near Mint- grade is an honest appraisal of the audio and it is certainly one of the cleanest versions I have ever heard.

'Over The Hills And Far Away' plays with remarkable clarity from the off.  There are just two light static ticks prior to the first vocal but so so quiet.  This vocal section then plays perfectly and as Bonham comes in the playback is stunning.  It continues in the same precise way and again there is not one single negative.  Such strong clear audio from start to finish and you would not believe how 'clean' the quiet end section is.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks at most and a light tick just as it ends and Mint- is very much deserved here.

'The Crunge' may not be typical Led Zepp but there is no denying the quality of the audio.  The clarity and depth of the audio is hugely impressive and Jones' deep adds so much to that.  There is no interference, no background at all, and it has to grade as Mint no need for a minus.

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The intro on 'Dancing Days' plays perfectly and Plant's opening vocal is just as strong.  From then on it plays with such accuracy and there is nothing to detract from the sound.  You cannot help but be impressed by the sonic levels - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion either.  The unmistakeable sound of Page's guitar and the rhythm section of Bonham and Jones working together so well... as per usual!  Mint

'D'yer Mak'er' plays with genuine precision through every vocal and instrumental section.  Not one tick etc this is audio of the highest calibre, outstanding depth and warmth once more.  You can see why the critics were divided by this album but it nonetheless could not play any better.  Led Zepp do reggae, talk about leftfield!  Another perfect fade out by the way.  Mint

The classic 'No Quarter' provides another stern test for this vinyl and it passes very well!  The quiet opening section plays so clearly with only a small number of minor statics and the next section is flawless, incredible clarity and depth.  The next quiet section has barely any static and then Plant's opening vocal is comparable to that with just one light tick.  The playback is perfect as Bonham comes back in as is that next iconic synthesised bass sound from Jones.  The instrumental incorporating Jones' piano plays with great clarity with just a little more light static towards the end but again it's not intrusive.  It continues to play with exceptional quality with only some light static during the final vocal and the final section plays with sublime quality with no intrusion..... and another fade out with not so much as a dust tick.  This classic so often plays with a lot of intrusive static / crackle but that is certainly not the case here and much like The Rain Song on S1 it is easily one of the finest versions I have heard in many a year.  I think ranging between Ex+ and Mint- is fair but certainly more of the latter!

The spoken intro on 'The Crunge' has zero background and then the intro itself plays perfectly.  The opening vocal is so clean and it continues to play with such quality for a final track.  The quiet na na vocal does have a little static / crackle but the remainder plays with strong clear audio and no other intrusion.  There is barely any inner groove distortion and whilst that one brief section is VG the rest of the track deserves to be graded as Mint- and it provides a great finish to the album.

The Gatefold, Obi & Lyric Inner

The cover is in fantastic condition with no obvious wear.  The edges and spine are so so clean and the corners have barely any wear either.  In fact the only wear really is a little crimping at the top of the opening edge and even that is minor.  The front and back cover are immaculate and the inside of the gatefold is stunning also, it has retained all of its original colouring perfectly.  A superb example that could hardly be improved upon.

The original UK Obi may well be the best I have seen.  For once it is unmarked and has just one small split on the right folded edge, not obvious though.  The back has is so clean also and has only a couple of tiny corner creases on the connecting 'fold'.

The lyric inner is in great shape with no side splits or tears and only a couple of minor print type marks on S2.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

K 50014 // A2 / B2 // STERLING (stamped) & RL (etched) on both run outs

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

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Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!