LED ZEPPELIN IV 4, 1971 UK *1st PRESS*, A3/B3 MATRIX

	£		81
	$		107

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

Here for auction is a lovely example of the fourth album by LED ZEPPELIN simply titled “LED ZEPPELIN IV”, Catalogue Number 2401042. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 STEREO UK *1st PRESSING* on the PLUM/ORANGE ATLANTIC LABEL, with the rare “Misty Mountain Top” mis-credit on the Side Two label. PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched in the dead wax of Sides One and Two respectively.

The Matrix Numbers and Stampers are:

Side One:  2401012 (2 crossed out digits) A//3   1   3   5

Side Two:  2401012   B//3   1    2   2

The fragile *1st Press* matt finish gatefold sleeve is in VERY GOOD+ CONDITION. The front cover has a greenish tint to areas of the top left and bottom right corners, and a small triangular surface scuff to the bottom right corner. There is very little creasing. The back cover is unmarked apart from a small name inscription on the top left edge. The opening gatefold spread is in excellent shape. There is some rubbing to the edges and corners from storage. The spine is in solid condition. Overall a very presentable 1st press sleeve.

The solidly pressed vinyl has a thick, square-cut rim edge (most A//3, B//3 pressings do not have this). It retains much of its ORIGINAL LUSTRE and sits flat and true on the turntable. Visually there are just light surface marks (sleeve removal type scuffs and hairlines), which are of no audio significance, with the exception of one short stylus mark at the start of “The Battle Of Evermore” which causes a few low level clicks. These are really not intrusive, but they are discernable. The BEAUTIFUL PLUM/ORANGE LABELS show only a few very light spindle traces each side and are otherwise unmarked.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

Both sides play SUPERBLY with ALL FREQUENCIES CRYSTAL CLEAR. This is a particularly vibrant recording which SOUNDS SENSATIONAL played at high volume!! I always marvel at the quality of these Atlantic 1st pressings. The amount of information contained in these loud-cut grooves is truly amazing!! I just can’t stress enough how good this sounds. There are NO pops or loud clicks, and a minimum of unwanted noise to spoil the listening experience (just the low level clicks mentioned above). Several of the tracks, such as “Going To California” and “Stairway To Heaven” have quiet acoustic introductions which are easily ruined by intrusive crackle. Not on this copy – all play beautifully! A better playing copy will be difficult to find!!

Complete with the original grey soft card inner sleeve with the Stairway to Heaven lyrics, which has splits to the edges.

OVERALL AN EXCEPTIONAL PACKAGE - DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!

International postage costs: Europe £5.00, Worldwide £7.50

International buyers: payment by PayPal only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.

Please don't be put off by the low level clicks referred to at the start of "The Battle Of Evermore" - they are extremely low level ticks, which are not even as loud as the surface sound you would normally hear between tracks on an average playing copy, and not intrusive in any way.