Led Zeppelin III (LP 1st Press 1970) Red & Plum. Gatefold. Stereo 2401002. EX/EX

	£		77
	$		102

I try to list my LPs to my best ability and as honest as I can be. I test play carefully all the way through. Please contact me if you have any queries.

GENUINE LED ZEPPELIN - LED ZEPPELIN III  DELUXE 2401002. RED, PLUM AND WHITE ATLANTIC LABEL. Ist PRESS. 1970. MATRIX NUMBERS: SIDE A - 117 Do What Thou Wilt 2401002 A-5; SIDE B - So Mote It Be 2401002 B-5. IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
Correct Matrix numbers with Peter Grant credits etc..
RELEASED 50 YEARS AGO IN 1971 AND FROM MY OWN COLLECTION.

Released on the Atlantic "red/maroon" label, in a fully laminated gatefold sleeve with working wheel.

1st Cat on labels , 2nd Cat on sleeve

Specific to the first pressing ;
(1) 2401002 (on labels)
(2) Produced by Jimmy Page , Executive Producer : Peter Grant (credited on top half of labels)
(3) Warner Bros. Music Ltd.
(4) Matrix numbers end with A5 and B5.

Various matrix number combinations exist with the above described first generation of label. They are transitional copies from the first pressing to the second pressing (the ones without Peter Grant credits), and they are later copies.

Under License from Atlantic Recording Corp., U.S.A.
Manufactured for Polydor Records Ltd., London
Printed and made by the E. J. Day Group London and Bedford.

Directly after the Peter Grant credit was removed another label was released with a track error
the track 'celebration day' was incorrectly typed 'celebration' and was immediately changed to the latter label variarion
? 1970

(Later subsequent pressings released on the Red/maroon labels do not have the Executive Producer Peter Grant credits on the label, the label Cat# appears as 2401-002 and the publisher credits appear only as Warner Bros. Music)
THE GATEFOLD SLEEVE: EX
Excellent for the year with only very slight wear to the edges and the spine is excellent with all titles and catalogue numbers easily read. No ring-wear on either side. The gatefold sleeve is laminated inside and out and is very clean and glossy. There are no names written on and no labels present or signs of any being removed. The rotating wheel is present and fully functioning. The odd slight crease on the front but nothing major. You can spot the centre-fixing ring slightly for the rotating wheel after 50 years. Not surprising and nothing major, again. No seam splits at all. Atlantic DeLuxe stamp on front right. Number III printed below the black and white photo on the four band members with the small coloured symbol. All track listings and credits as noted above on the inside right centre in black print along with the E J Day credit for the sleeve design. Not Mint but Excellent (EX)
LABELS:
No spindle wear really and does not have any evidence of labels removed or writing either side. The black print on the red, plum and white labels are excellent. The red, plum and white labels are very clean and the black printing is very clear. Not really been played that often from the look of the spindles.

THE VINYL LP AND TEST PLAYING: EX
For its age the LP has only a couple of hairline marks and looks really excellent. There is a very light scratch at the beginning of Side 2 but does not sound when played hardly.  I test played this on my high end Naim amplifers in series, Kef Foundry speakers and Audio Concept record deck. I found it to have excellent sound with only some surface noise - mostly between the tracks, and only the odd crackle and slight click but nothing to deter listening pleasure. There are no jumps, mistracking, sticking or warping. The disc diplays a punchy clean stereo sound with distinct vocals and a good separation of instruments. Bonham's drums sound great and I love some of the distinct steel guitar sounds with Plant's vocals on some of the stripped back tracks. It made for great listening still after 50 years.
The disc will be deep - groove cleaned on my Cleaning Machine which uses cleaning fluid and a hoover system before sending to the winner. I will include an anti-static inner sleeve and new card inner sleeve. The Gatefold sleeve will have a  plastic outer. The disc will be very well packed with cardboard reinforcers and an outer cardboard case for vinyl posting. Not Mint but certainly Excellent (EX) for a 50 year old disc.