LED ZEPPELIN II 2, SUPERB & COMPLETE 1969 UK PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC 1st PRESS

	£		155
	$		205

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Led Zeppelin's brilliant second studio album simply titled Led Zeppelin II, Catalogue Number 588 198. It's a 1969 UK stereo first pressing on the Atlantic Plum & Orange record label, with a first issue light brown E. J. Day & Co. gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the original white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The matrix numbers are the earliest 588198 Av2 and 588198 Bv2 (where v = upside down triangle). "The Lemon Song" is credited on the Side One record label].

The gatefold sleeve is in EX condition with only light wear and no creases of any significance. The front and back covers are very well preserved indeed with only a few minor marks and minimal traces of ringwear. The opening gatefold spread is unmarked apart from a small area of staining in the top right corner. The spine is solid with all text clearly legible. It's a very fine example of the iconic "Brown Bomber" sleeve.

The solidly-pressed 138g record retains a lovely deep lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually I would critically grade Side One as VG+ and Side Two as EX. There are just a few superficial sleeve-removal / sleeve rub type surface marks evident under bright light in addition to a couple of short superficial surface marks on Side One (see close-up photos). These marks are purely cosmetic and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Atlantic Plum & Orange labels are unmarked with only a moderate number of spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no repeat clicks/pops and only minimal residual surface sound. The sound quality is nothing short of sensational - very powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass and lots of wonderful guitar effects. It's really is a top-playing copy.
 

It comes complete with the original white poly-lined inner sleeve which has no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete first press copy of Led Zeppelin's magnificent second album which 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 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 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 Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £11.50

Worldwide - £14.50