Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin 111 Peter Grant credit

	£		67
	$		89

Led Zeppelin 111 red/plum Atlantic 2401002 1970 UK stereo pressing- in excellent overall condition and plays superbly with virtually no surface noise!

Superb condition, plays very near mint - unlikely that you'll find one this good again.

• This is an original earliest 1970 1st pressing with the Peter Grant credit as executive producer above the white band

• A-5/B-5

• Original E J Day sleeve 

•  Fully functional side wheel 

• “Do what thou wilt” and “So mote it be” etchings in the run-on grooves 

• The catalogue number is shown in the format 2401002, without breaks or hyphens

This copy has sat on my shelves alongside many others un-played, but not unloved, for the best part of 40 years and I guess it’s time to let it go to someone who will appreciate it and play it more often.

I bought this when it was first released and it has been stored in a protective polythene outer sleeve and the vinyl has always been kept clean. It has been recently “vacuumed” on my Moth Record Cleaning machine using L’Art du Son” cleaning fluid, which has no alcohol in it, to restore it to its original lustre, since when it has been housed in a Nagaoka anti-static inner sleeve (they really do work), although the original inner sleeve is included here as well. This LP has never been loaned out or taken to any party so I know its entire history and it has always been played on quality equipment.

The matrix details are as follows: 

Side One 

Upside down 1 2 7 (pressed) followed by “Do what thou wilt”, 2401002 and then A-5 followed by what appears to be the initials GHL (all hand written)

Side Two

Upside down 1 2 2 (pressed) followed by “So mote it be”, 2401002 and then B-5 followed by what appears to be the initials GHL (all hand written)

Vinyl:                        Excellent+ (Plays very near mint)

Plays beautifully with no extraneous surface noise, pops or crackles other than the very faint swish occasionally heard on most vinyl even through good quality hi-fi. There is some soft crackle on the lead-in on Track 1 on both sides, although this is when there is no music so it has no effect on replay. This is being very critical. This LP plays as only early heavy vinyl can with strong instrument separation and 3-D image placement. The dynamics of this recording are similar to the sound of 180gm LP re-mastered reissues such as on Analogue Productions, Sundazed and Speakers Corner.

The acoustic tracks sound crisp and clear and the whole LP plays with no distortion. It sounds alarmingly “real” (unlike CDs), with the cymbals ringing clear and metallic and the drum sound is very accurate with clear definition between tom-tom and kick-drum, for instance. The insane instrumental line-up on “Gallows Pole” (banjo, mandolin, electric bass and very loud drums) is revealed in all its dynamic glory and really pins you back in your seat as it develops.

Please note: There are two extremely fine, non-sounding, hairlines (probably thumbnail marks), one across the second and third tracks on the second side and another, smaller one on track two. Other than that this is probably the best condition copy of this LP you’ll be able to lay your hands on (unless you know someone, such as me, who has had a copy from new, always kept it scrupulously clean, never loaned it out and always played it on quality equipment).

I have played this on my latest set-up which is Project Perspective deck, Ortofon Kontrapunkt B cartridge through Musical Fidelity XLPS2 twin mono block phono stage into a WAD Pre–11 valve pre amp coupled to a Musical Fidelity A3.2cr power amp and finally Ruark Prelude ‘speakers and it sounds wonderfully dynamic and clear. I have also listened to it using my Sennheiser HD 565 Ovation headphones through a Musical Fidelity X-Cans v2 headphone amplifier and it sounds equally superb.

It is worth bearing in mind that other systems may not reveal the same level of hi-fi sound, especially concerning the reproduction of any surface noise.

Sleeve:            Excellent+

No ring wear, only the very slightest indentation of the inner wheel centre pivot apparent on the rear. Virtually no “feathering” on the edges and the spine is still strong with no tears or wear other than slight indentation. Lettering on spine still clear and unbroken. Only the merest hint of “yellowing” around the edges, quite common and which is apparently due to the heavy glue used in the construction of the sleeve and not ageing. There is no writing on any of the sleeve surfaces. The inner wheel functions perfectly and is still attached.

Inner sleeve:             Excellent

This is the original inner sleeve and shows little signs of age, other than being slightly yellowed and slightly creased on at the corners. It has the British Patent number and the Made in England text, which can be verified from the photographs.

Labels:                        Nr Mint

Both labels are clean and bright with no marks. There is no spindle wear.

This record has been visually and play graded as accurately as possible using the Record Collector's grading system (see below) with an added + where the condition is somewhere between two grades.

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records listed as un-played should be mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have some 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 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.

Postage & Packaging:

This complies with EBAY RULES – so PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

It will be sent via Royal Mail 1st Class registered signed-for post - £4.25 (UK)

Royal Mail Airmail international signed-for post - £12.50 (Europe & Scandinavia) and will be appropriately insured. If you require any other method of posting or insurance please ask.

Royal Mail Airmail international signed-for post - £15.50 (rest of the world) and will be appropriately insured. If you require any other method of posting or insurance please ask

I always keep proof of posting & will assist you if you need to make a claim for loss or damage with Royal Mail. Please ensure that you provide me with your correct address.

The LP will be posted in a thick purpose-made cardboard mailer with cardboard inserts for extra protection and the sleeve and LP will be separated to avoid any potential damage to either.

I will endeavour to post this the day after payment has been confirmed. However, I will keep the successful bidder informed.

Keep a look-out as I will soon be posting more superb condition LPs from Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, East Of Eden, Jethro Tull, Wild Man Fischer and a few more, all from my own collection and all bought at the time of release and extremely well-looked after.