Led Zeppelin II Lp-1969 Atlantic Robert Ludwig Hot Mix "RL" Stamps Monarch Press

$

400

Original 1969 1st Press as confirmed using the matrix which matches the information found from Discogs below. Monarch pressing. Robert Ludwig Hot Mix. Sterling Sound "SS" stamped

LP is visually graded as VG. Light surface marks on both sides yet still retains its gloss. Name written on both sides of label. I’ve included many up close pictures but it’s still hard to accurately see everything.

It has been test played and plays clean with minimal light surface noise, mostly on a few quiet spots. It has been tested twice. Once using a modern Audio Technica turntable and again on a vintage Pioneer turntable. Here are the only minor issues:

One jump at the very end of Heartbreaker was noted on both turntables. 

Full disclosure that these were the only issues noted on my equipment. Other equipment may produce different results.

Other than the jump in one spot this plays as a strong VG+. It's an amazing copy.

New inner sleeve included.

Outer gatefold sleeve is graded VG as well. Some tape on top seams. Wear to spine. Tear on corner possibly from sticker. Name written inside. Light surface, corner, and edge wear, but still a solid copy.

We use Goldmine's grading scale for reference as follows:

Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.

The following is the matrix info from Discogs which matches this copy.

US 1st pressing, featuring Robert Ludwig's "hot" mastering on both sides. These were withdrawn early because the high bass levels caused low-grade cartridges to mistrack, leading people to return the album on the belief that it was defective. Another engineer was then hired to recut a much less "hot" version of the album, and that is the far more common version.

Labels include "MO" suffix (indicating Monarch pressing) and "Mfg By Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.". On all matrix Side A and Side B there is "MR" in a circle that identify a Monarch pressing.

Some copies came with one or two hype stickers: one mentioning Whole Lotta Love and the other with a tracklisting.Barcode and Other Identifiers

Rights Society: ASCAP

Pressing Plant ID (Monarch, printed on both labels): MO

Pressing Plant ID (Monarch, stamp on both runouts): (MR)

Matrix / Runout (Side A label): ST-A-691671-MO

Matrix / Runout (Side B label): ST-A-691672-MO

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 1): ST-A-691671-MO - BB LW Δ13933 AT RL ss W

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 1): ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss Δ13933-X (2) W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 2): ST-A-691671-MO - CC RL ss LW △13933 (2) W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 2): ST-A-691672-MO - AA LW AT RL ss Δ13933-X W

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 3): ST-A-691671-MO - BB LW Δ13933 AT RL ss W

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 3): ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss Δ13933-X W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 4): ST-A-691671-MO - CC RL ss LW △13933 (2) W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 4): ST-A-691672-MO - CC T LW RL ss △13933-X W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 5): ST-A-691671-MO - CC RL ss T LW △13933 W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 5): ST-A-691672-MO - CC T LW RL ss △13933-X W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 6): ST-A-691671-MO - [MR logo] BB LW Δ13933 AT RL ss W

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 6): ST-A-691672-MO - AA [MR logo] LW AT RL ss Δ13933-X W

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 7): ST-A-691671-MO - T CC [MR logo] RL SS LW Δ13933 ③ W AT

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 7): ST-A-691671-MO - CC 1 [MR logo] LW RL SS Δ13933-X W (1) AT