LED ZEPPELIN, PHYSICAL GRAFFITI, 1975 UK SWAN SONG 1st ISSUE

	£		50
	$		66

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It's my pleasure to offer for auction a superb copy of the magnificent blues/rock double album by the mighty Led Zeppelin titled "Physical Graffiti", Catalogue Number SSK 89400. It's a 1975 UK stereo first issue on the Swan Song Record Label, with a Gothic Print Finishers Ltd. die-cut window sleeve. It comes complete with the first issue gatefold credits insert and picture inner sleeves. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design wirh the Swan Song 484 Kings Road, London address on the bck cover. The gatefold insert and picture inner sleeves are made from thick card. The stamped matrix numbers are the earliest SSK.89400.A1, SSK.89400.B5, SSK.89400.C1 and SSK.89400.D1. It is well documented that B4 and B5 were both first press matrix numbers available on the day of release. The Swan Song picture labels do not have Warner "W" logos].

The sleeve is in EX condition with only light wear and a few tiny creases. It's a very well-preserved example of this notoriously wear-prone die-cut sleeve. I've taken plenty of photos from all angles which hopefully show the superb condition.

The top quality mid-weight records are in EX+ condition. The Swan Song picture labels are like new with only a few faint spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle holes. I can confirm that the records have only received a few careful plays on a high quality turntable. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. The first issue sound quality is quite different to that of later re-issues which lack the audio impact. Although there are plenty of copies of Physical Graffiti available - it is surprisingly difficult to find a clean-playing first issue. This copy is precisely that. There are no loud pops, repeat ticks, distortion, hiss or anything else. It really is a superb-playing copy!

The gatefold credits insert is in unmarked EX condition.

The picture inner sleeves are also in unmarked EX condition with the exception of two short splits to the edges of the one which houses the A/B record (caused by knocks from the record inside).

Overall this is a great opportunity to add a superb and complete first issue of Zeppelin's iconic tour de force to your 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 up to £50 value - £13.50

Europe oer £50 value - £16.10

Worldwide up to £50 value - £17.40

Worldwide over £50 value - £20.00