LED ZEPPELIN IV 1971 UK EARLIEST A3/B3 RED/PLUM LOVELY VINYL IMPRESSIVE AUDIO

	£		137
	$		182

LED ZEPPELIN - LED ZEPPELIN IV 4 (or sometimes referred to as " ZOSO ")

A solid very good condition and great sounding copy of this increasingly rare and highly sought after 1971 UK 1st press Led Zep rock masterpiece, with earliest 1st press A3, B3 vinyl matrix numbers on the coveted red & plum Atlantic record label, STEREO, 2401012

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1    2401012 A//3 with stampers "1 2 1" at 4 o'clock, and also etched "PECKO DUCK"

Side 2    2401012 B//3 with stampers "11 7" at 3.30 o'clock, and also etched "PORKY"

The appearance and overall condition of the flat and nicely weighted vinyl is an overall very good plus (VG+). There are no obvious marks, scratches, or scuffs on either side - even with close scrutiny under a bright light you may just be able to detect a couple of small and extremely wispy, superficial, non-feelable hairlines but nothing more. On side 1 there is some "dulling" of the vinyl - not serious and not affecting playback at all but it is noticeable in a good light (a proper clean may improve this dulling). For side 2 there is no such dulling. So, to be specific, I would grade the condition of the vinyl for side 1 as a solid very good, and for side 2 a definite excellent.

The labels are excellent (EX). Lovely 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 noticeable blemish is some very mild wear for 1.5cm on the circumference of the side 2 label (see photos) - very trivial. I cannot even identify the usual faint spindle trails. Note the "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN", "Kinney Music Ltd.", "LED ZEPPELIN" printed in the plum coloured area, "MARKETED BY POLYDOR RECORDS LIMITED" 6 o'clock text on both labels, and "EXECUTIVE Producer: Peter Grant" texts - all indicative of a true UK 1st pressing.

The condition of the non-laminated outer gatefold sleeve is very good (VG). The edges are firm with just a little intermittent light scuffing on the top and bottom edges and x3 "nicks" on the top edge, one of which is a little more noticeable on the front side adjacent to the top edge; there are also x3 1-2cm horizontal surface creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on the front side, one of which does slightly impinge upon the spine and slightly weakens the rigidity of the spine at that point. Otherwise all edges, including the spine, are firm, the corners remain nicely defined right angles, the opening sides are also well defined and firm with no fraying or feathering and there is no cardboard creasing. All colours and artwork remain in excellent order, retaining impressive clarity and definition. The only other blemish is some mild horizontal light buckling of the sleeve, apparent on both the the front side and inside of the gatefold when tilted at the right angle - not serious, but nonetheless noticeable. In summary, some relativelyminor blemishes but still very presentable.

The quality of the audio is excellent (EX). Great tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No repeats, sticks or clicks and barely any crackle or interference - just the hint of some very mild background crackle during a couple of the quieter moments and at the very beginning and very end of each side - trivial and I am sure that a proper clean would further reduce any background noise - which I stress is very minimal anyway...negligible. Every track on this wonderful, timeless LP makes for great listening, and these 1st pressings have so much more power and "raunchiness" than later pressings/re-issues, which somehow seem a little diluted. Tremendous!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. BLACK DOG

2. ROCK AND ROLL

3. THE BATTLE OF EVERMORE

4. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Side 2 :

1. MISTY MOUNTAIN HOP

2. FOUR STICKS

3. GOING TO CALIFORNIA

4. WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS

Comes with 1st press dark grey, dual foldback edged inner sleeve with lyrics to 'Stairway to Heaven' on one side and track titles and credits on the other : no creasing but there is a12cm seam split in the middle of the bottom edge...nonetheless still remaining functional and no other blemishes. Note that I always use a new, plain white replacement inner sleeve for shipping purposes in order to protect the original.

In summary a solid very good plus condition (with the highlight being the wonderful sound quality), and very presentable, copy of this rare and sought after 1971 UK very 1st press 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 protective outer flange 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 £12, and Rest of the World £16 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