LED ZEPPELIN 1st DEBUT 1969 UK PLUM ATLANTIC SUPERHYPE & UNCORRECTED MATRICES

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

It's my pleasure to offer a rare copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic debut studio album simply titled "Led Zeppelin", Catalogue Number 588 171. It's a 1969 UK stereo first pressing on the plum and orange Atlantic record label, with a MacNeill Press Ltd. laminated single sleeve. It comes complete with its original white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The sleeve has orange "LED ZEPPELIN" text on the front cover and a grey stripe along the bottom edge. The record labels have "Superhype Music" credits. The matrix numbers are the very earliest stamped 588171 A//1 and 588171 B//1, the second 8s being uncorrected, meaning that this is exactly the same record pressing as would usually be found in a turquoise sleeve]. 

The sleeve is in VG condition with just light wear and a few creases mostly near the edges. There is an area of staining near the top opening corner, otherwise the front and back covers are unmarked. The spine is solid with perfect text. Overall it's a very presentable example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record retains much of its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it's in VG condition with just light surface marks evident on both sides. These are mostly superficial and have minimal impact on the audio playback. The record labels are unmarked apart from the usual spindle traces near the centres. For the most part both sides play excellently throughout with barely any deterioration in sound quality and a low level of unwanted noise. There are a few soft ticks and a touch of light surface sound audible in some of the quiet passages, but overall it's a very decent-playing copy. The audio is massively powerful and vibrant with great bass as you would expect from an Atlantic first pressing of this landmark album. 

The white poly-lined inner sleeve has no seam splits or tears, just a few creases.

Overall it's a very acceptable and genuine first pressing of Led Zeppelin's iconic debut album with Superhype Music credits and uncorrected matrix numbers. It will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50