Led Zeppelin – Untitled (IV)

Original UK 1st issue Atlantic Plum labels (Variant 8) The very last of the UK Plum labels, identified by the labels and gatefold cover.

In fantastic original condition.
The gatefold cover is VG+ (has a rare Kinney transition sticker, with the new Kinney catalog number)
The original printed lyric sheet inner sleeve is VG+  (small record information neatly written on 1 side, (top right corner) - otherwise Excellent) The labels are Excellent (see pics)
The vinyl is VG+ (faint lines, light scratches seen under good light, minimal impact to the audio, it plays Excellent)

• Matrix / Runout  A-side   (stamped):  2401012  A//3   11     12       (etched)  Pecko Duck
• Matrix / Runout  B-side   (stamped):  2401012  B//4   1 2     5        (etched)  Porky

Label: Atlantic – 2401012 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Stereo - Plum (Variant 8) Country: UK Released: 1971 Genre: Rock Style: Blues Rock, Hard Rock A1
Black Dog Written-By – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant 4:55 A2
Rock And Roll Written-By – Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant 3:40 A3
The Battle Of Evermore Vocals [Appears By Courtesy Of Island Records] – Sandy Denny Written-By – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant 5:38 A4
Stairway To Heaven Written-By – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant 7:55 B1
Misty Mountain Hop Written-By – Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant 4:39 B2
Four Sticks Written-By – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant 4:49 B3
Going To California Written-By – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant 3:36 B4
When The Levee Breaks Written-By – Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Memphis Minnie, Robert Plant 7:08

• Licensed From – Atlantic Recording Corporation
• Recorded At – Island Studios
• Recorded At – Headley Grange
• Recorded At – Sunset Sound
• Pressed By – Phonodisc Ltd.
• Published By – Kinney Music Ltd.
• Published By – Superhype Music, Inc.
• Marketed By – Polydor Records Ltd.

• Design [Co•ordination] – Graphreaks
• Executive-Producer – Peter Grant
• Illustration ['The Hermit'] – Barrington Colby M•O•M*
• Lacquer Cut By – PECKO DUCK* (tracks: A), Porky (5) (tracks: B)
• Photography By – Keith Morris (8)
• Producer – Jimmy Page

Atlantic red/white/plum labels.
℗ 1971
Of 8 known 'plum' label variants, this is the 8th. Specific to this label variant are:

1. 'Marketed by Polydor Records Limited' at 6 o'clock on labels.
2. 'Under license from Atlantic Recording Corp.' in white area under ATLANTIC on left side.
3. LED ZEPPELIN is printed above spindle hole
4. Catalogue number at 3 o'clock above circular Atlantic logo reads 'deluxe 2401012'
5. There is no Peter Grant credit, and song publishing credits are: Kinney Music Ltd./Superhype Music Inc.
6. Track B1 is credited on B-side label as "Misty Mountain Hop"

Sleeve is a gatefold, thick card with sealed left side edge when opened up to reveal 'The Hermit' drawing. Disc is housed in a grey card liner with credits on one side and the lyrics to 'Stairway to Heaven' on the other. Outer glue-tabs on the left and right sides of liner.
Importantly, although Jimmy Page had got all the 'Executive Producer Peter Grant' credits removed from the labels by this time, the liner still retains this credit, bottom left side.

This release was commonly referred to as 'Led Zeppelin IV', to follow in sequence with their previous three releases, but no actual title appears on the release.

(Note# No tracktimings appear on the labels or sleeve)

A few words about condition.

Grade & 
score out of 100
                                           GRADING
Mint is a Rigid Band - The next Four Grades are all Narrow Bands, that slightly widen as the condition gradually deteriorates - Good is still Good, but there is a rapid widening of the Grade Bands, as the condition deteriorates over the last Four grades.

MINT
100
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 the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.
Only graded on records that are sealed or clearly unplayed.
 
NEAR MINT
97 to 99        

EXCELLENT
90 to 96
The record shows virtually no signs of having been played,  there is no lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have the slightest of tiny defects.
 
The record shows some slight signs of having been played, but there is very little, (if any) lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have very slight wear. 
 
VERY GOOD PLUS
80 to 89

VERY GOOD
69 to 79
The record shows signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have slight wear, light creasing.

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.
This is an above average used record, that has been well looked after.




GOOD
56 to 68
The record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated, but the record will still play through, and it will not be a completely unpleasant listening experience, even at the bottom of this grade (56).
The cover and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. 




FAIR
41 to 55
The record is still playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even stick, skip or jump.. This is starting to be an unpleasant listening experience at the top of the grade (55) and will not be a pleasant listening experience at all by the end of it (41).
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. 
 
POOR
25 to 40
The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc.
The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. 
 
BAD
0 - 24
The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
The Sleeve is non existent (0) or what is left, is only just recognisable.

A few words about postage.

Within Australia, the best value for multiple purchases is a 5KG satchel, where as many as 15 to 20 LPs can be posted for $22.00 registered post. (well packed in a box, inside the satchel)

My Policies on postage are simple.

I post at cost.
The user pays.
I package well.

Any item that you purchase without choosing the option of "Signed for" or "Registered" Post, is at your risk.
I do accept that "signed for" can be expensive, especially internationally, but whether you take the option of this insurance, is entirely up to you.
I do not wish to withdraw the option of standard postage for the cheaper records, but it must be at your risk.