LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI 1/4/1/1 1st PRESS *SUPERB* COVER & AUDIO EX++/NM
£
93
$
123
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Led Zeppelin : Physical Graffiti A1/B4/C1/D1 1st Press
This genuine first press plays to a superb standard with hardly any interference. The clarity and definition of the audio is so good and the vast majority is of a Near Mint / Mint- standard. I could only detect a couple of light clicks and one dull pop but aside from that the playback is stunning. As always a full grading is given below.
As this is a first press it has the 1/4/1/1 matrix and no Warner logo on the labels. This is also one of the earliest first pressings in that the two page insert has only a single fold at the bottom. The die-cut 'window's cover also has the 'Swan Song / 484 Kings Road' address on the back.
This iconic cover is also a stunning example of its kind. So close to being Near Mint it only has a small amount of wear in one corner and for once the top edges, spines and all 'windows' are in lovely condition.
SSK 89400 // A-1 / B-4 / C-1 / D-1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint / Mint- for majority but Ex- intro)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The audio on S3 is Near Mint (Mint- for majority / T1 Near Mint-)
The audio on S4 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint- / T4 Near Mint)
The cover is Ex++
The two page folded insert is Mint-
The inner sleeves are Mint
The labels are Mint
Visual grading
The vinyls are in lovely condition and both have a very strong glossy sheen. There are no scratches and all I can find are some superficial faint hairlines. There are perhaps a few more on S4 but they are still faint and have no affect on the audio. There is nothing visually that stands out here. The run out grooves are pristine as are the 'Swan Song' labels with no marking or writing and no spindle wear either. Stunning examples.
Play grading
The intro on 'Custard Pie' plays perfectly as does the rest of this opening track! There is no interference and you cannot fault the audio, just a hint of light static at the end of the fade out. It isn't surprising but Bonham's percussion is very much to the fore throughout - all the more obvious on a 'clean' vinyl such as this. A Mint- start to the album.
'The Rover' is of the same standard and as always I have played every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading. Another Mint- track.
The quiet intro on 'In my Time Of Dying' has a little static and also one dull pop sound just before the volume increases. The next section has barely any static and as the tempo increases the playback is superb. The first vocal section has only minimal static and the second quiet passage is also very impressive with hardly any 'background'. Thereafter it plays with that typical Zeppelin power and depth. This entire 'heavy' section could not play any better and to the end this classic plays incredibly well with no interference. I would grade the intro as Ex- but the remainder is Near Mint for sure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Houses Of The Holy' on S2 plays with stunning precision from the first note to the last. There is no interference and the sonic quality is so strong. Mint- for sure.
'Trampled Under Foot' is of the same 'high end' and again it's the depth of the recording that really stands out. This is clearly a record that has not been overplayed. A stunning Mint- version although I'm not sure the minus is required here!
The iconic intro on 'Kashmir' is 'as new' and it continues to play with age defying clarity and power! This truly is an exceptional version and despite it being the final track on the side there is no inner groove distortion and you can turn it up to full blast! In fact the more I listen to it the more I am impressed by the sheer quality of the vinyl! It plays with great power and definition and there is literally no interference to be heard. From start to finish I detected only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and is without doubt one of the finest versions of this classic that I have ever heard. Even the fade out plays beautifully and I am confident in grading it as Mint it is that good.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'Eastern' influenced intro 'In The Light' plays with stunning precision from the opening note. There are no clicks, pops or crackle and no underlying static either - the playback is sensational! There are a couple of very quiet static ticks just before the vocal but they are not intrusive and this is so so close to being the perfect intro, what a start! This quality is taken into the first vocal section and as Bonham and co join in the audio is just as good. Once again the depth of the audio is outstanding and it proceeds in much the same way. There is however one click prior to the next 'Eastern' section and another in the 'louder' section that follows (somewhat buried in the music) but on the plus side this is the only interference across the entire 8+ minutes! The rest of this classic is superb and the fade out has no 'background' at all. I think Near Mint- is about right here.
The instrumental 'Bron-Yr-Aur' has only very minimal static at the start and then plays with flawless precision for the remainder. Near Mint
'Down By The Seaside' again shows how good the clarity is on this album and plays with great precision all the way through. There is perhaps just a hint of distortion during the up tempo section but it really is very minor. A couple of very light ticks also but overall this track easily deserves a Near Mint grading.
The super quiet intro on 'Ten Years Gone' is stunning with no obvious static and the next quiet section only has 2/3 very light ticks (not clicks!) and is only what you expect to find on vinyl anyway! Plant's first vocal is flawless and this is another track where the more you get into it the more you are impressed by it! The clarity, power and depth of the audio is stunning and there is only very minor inner groove distortion as you approach the end. The quieter sections during this classic track play so clearly and again Near Mint is deserved.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The percussive intro on 'Night Flight' plays perfectly and continues in exactly the same way. This is Mint- and there is no need to say anymore!
'The Wanton Song' has just one click on the intro but thereafter plays with stunning precision and no other interference. The depth and power on this track is tangible and it really does play with exceptional quality. Near Mint- because of that one millisecond of interference :-)
The 'foot tapping' 'Boogie With Stu' is superb from the get go and continues to play with wonderful quality. I detected only a handful of mega quiet dust ticks but I am sure I only hear them as I sit so close to the speakers! There are no clicks or pops and the percussive end section and 'laugh' have no 'background' at all. Mint-
The 'spoken / aeroplane' intro on 'Black Country Woman' has only a couple of mega quiet ticks and the acoustic piece that follows is perfect as is the first vocal section. The remainder plays with great clarity with just a very minor amount of light static in a couple of sections but is so quiet it scarcely deserves a mention. Near Mint
'Sick Again' ends the album in fine style with no interference. The depth and power throughout is so strong for a final track and for once there is no distortion. I can't really find any fault and it could hardly play any better truth be told. A couple of barely audible ticks perhaps but this hardly qualifies as interference! The 'high octane' middle section is stunning and to the end it plays with great precision. This is certainly one of the finest versions I have heard in a long time and Mint- is more than justified I believe. The powerful end section in particular is superb and you can easily hear the 'cough' at the end giving you an idea of the clarity on offer here!
In summary this first press plays to a wonderful standard with very little interference. There are only a couple of clicks and one dull pop as stated and that's pretty good for a double album! The power and definition on all sides is exemplary and in my opinion has only been played very infrequently. By Led Zepp standards there are many quieter sections and yet the clarity is very impressive throughout. A 'high end' first pressing without question.
The Cover & Inserts
The famous cover is easily one of the finest I have seen and has always been very carefully handled, it really has been so well preserved. The 'windows' are fully intact and only the top right corner has a small amount of wear. The remaining three corners are incredibly clean with barely any shelf wear and each 'spine' is in superb condition also - the red lettering on the main spine can easily be read. The open top edges are so often found in poor condition but these are near perfect which again shows that the vinyls have not been removed from the cover many times. The front cover is almost 'as new' with only a couple of very faint 'lines' and the minor wear in the top right corner and the back cover is also in superb order. There is none of the wear near the top edge that you regularly find and all I can detect is one faint crease. A superb example of this iconic cover and let's not forget it is not far off 50 years old!
The two page 'credits' insert is one of the very early rare versions with only a single fold at the bottom and is only found on the 1/4/1/1 first pressings. It is in great condition with no marking or spotting and has hardly any wear on the top edges. The two custom made inners are in pristine condition with no side splits or marking and the opening edges look untouched.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
The records have been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SSK 89400 // A-1 / B-4 / C-1 / D-1
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
price rating
