LED ZEPPELIN III 1970 UK PLUM LABELS "DO WHAT THOU WILT" GLOSSY VINYL TOP AUDIO

	£		73
	$		97

LED ZEPPELIN - LED ZEPPELIN III 3

A truly excellent condition copy of this increasingly rare and highly sought after 1970 UK early press Led Zep rock classic, with original A5, B6 vinyl matrix numbers on the coveted red & plum Atlantic record label, STEREO, 2401 002 but with US printed non-laminated gate fold outer sleeve with label SD 7201

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1   etched 2401002 A - 5 followed by "ep" and a downward arrow, stampers "1 5 6" at 2 o'clock, and also etched "Do what thou wilt"

Side 2    stamped 2401002 B//6 420 with stampers "1 2" and "0 4" at 1 o'clock and 6 o'clock  and NO "So mote it be"

This UK early press copy of this wonderful LP is one for the connoisseurs - a highly sought after collectable with a number of unique identifiers :

1. On the labels the record number is "2401-002" but on the spine of the gatefold the numbering is "SD 7201".

2. The vinyl is UK manufactured but the gatefold is printed in the US.

3. On the side 1 label the third track is listed as "CELEBRATION" - it should be "CELEBRATION DAY".

4. The side 1 dead wax matrix numbering is etched whereas on side 2 it is stamped.

5. The sought after "Do What Thou Wilt" wording is on the side 1 dead wax area (etched) but "So Mote It Be" is missing from side 2.

I've been collecting records for 50 years now and I come across this particular Led Zep III variant about once every decade - that just goes to show how rare this copy is!

The appearance and overall condition of the flat and nicely weighted vinyl is a solid excellent (EX), at least. Each side gleams, with a gorgeous jet black sheen and in normal daylight comes across as completely unmarked. It is only with close scrutiny under a very bright light that a few small and extremely wispy hairlines come into few along with a couple of equally light paper scuffs - not obvious, even under a bright light. Nothing feelable, nothing below the surface, and all very trivial and superficial. It is difficult to believe that this vinyl is a 50 year old antiquity. 

The labels are excellent plus (EX+). Gorgeous condition labels with black text upon the smooth red/plum/white background and, of course, the iconic Atlantic logo, all in tip-top condition. The only blemishes are just a few small and extremely faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label. 

The condition of the non-laminated outer sleeve is excellent (EX). All edges, including the spine, remain firm with just some occasional mild and intermittent very light scuffing on the bottom edge and again on the top reverse side edge towards the right corner; there are a couple of light "nicks" on the spine but these are each trivial and all spine text remains perfectly intact; each corner remains a nicely defined right angle with just minimal rubbing on each, and the opening edges remain firm with no feathering (just the hint of 3cm of extremely light fraying on the edge immediately behind the circumference of the wheel). The iconic rotating picture wheel remains fully functional and all colours, art work and photos remain in truly excellent condition retaining great clarity and definition. Very, very nice!

The quality of the audio is excellent (EX) or better. Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No repeats, skips, sticks, or clicks and barely any crackle or interference - just the hint of some very mild background crackle at the very beginning and end of side 2 but even this is non-intrusive, very trivial and I am sure that a proper clean would further reduce any background noise which is very minimal anyway. Every track on this wonderful, timeless LP makes for great listening, and these early pressings have so much more power and "raunchiness" than later re-issues, which somehow seem diluted. Brilliant!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. IMMIGRANT SONG

2. FRIENDS

3. CELEBRATION DAY

4. SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU

5. OUT ON THE TILES

Side 2 :

1. GALLOWS POLE

2. TANGERINE

3. THAT'S THE WAY

4. BRON-Y-AUR STOMP

5. HATS OFF TO (ROY) HARPER

Comes with rare and near perfect condition poly-lined "HEAD HUNTERS" inner sleeve - no rips or tears and barely any creasing, and of course remaining fully functional. Note that I always use a new, plain white replacement inner sleeve for shipping purposes in order to protect the original.

In summary a very solid excellent condition and eminently presentable copy of this extremely rare hybrid/transitional 1970 UK 1st->2nd Led Zeppelin rock classic - the whole LP remains a tremendous listen....timeless, in fact. A "must" for any serious rock vinyl collection and will only continue to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 65 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £4.00, Royal Mail 1st class signed for; 

Continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15 respectively, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail tracked and signed for

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler