Led Zeppelin IV LP - EARLIEST POSSIBLE PRESSING!! Page Plant, RARE, EX cond.) 

This is a genuine first pressing LP by Led Zeppelin, commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV, released in the UK by Atlantic Records in 1971.

As many collectors know, a red/plum label usually indicates a first pressing on the Atlantic Record label however, this particular Led Zeppelin LP has two different red/plum label versions and two different matrices.  The genuine first pressing of LZ IV has totally different label configurations than later pressings on the Plum label.  These versions are SO very rare!!  

The LP for sale here is a genuine, SUPER RARE, EARLIEST POSSIBLE, first pressing!  I will highlight the differences below.

Most standard Plum label pressings come with A3/B4 matrix endings.  The earlier pressings all had A3/B3 matrix endings but this alone does not guarantee the earliest possible pressing!  

The labels with the earliest possible label configuration had different text and layout to the more common plum labels and only a few hundred are reported to have ever been made!!   

The earliest possible label will have the text "Under License From Atlantic Recording Corpn. U.S.A." placed above the white line in the red portion of the label. This placement is exactly the same as the earlier Led Zeppelin albums and later plum pressings will have the text inside the white stripe.  

The second difference is the missing "Superhype" music credit.  The earliest possibly pressings will not have this.

The next difference is the extra Peter Grant credit at the bottom of the label under the Jimmy Page credit.   This credit is completely removed in later versions.

The last difference is the positioning of the band name.  On the ultra rare, earliest pressings the "Led Zeppelin" text is positioned towards the bottom of the label and is in relatively small text.  On all later versions, the "Led Zeppelin" is larger and positioned towards the top of the label just below the four symbols. 

 THESE 'EARLIEST' 1ST PRESS DIFFERENCES ARE SERIOUSLY RARE AS THEY ONLY APPLY TO 100% GENUINE 1971 PRESSES. 'EARLIEST' 1ST PRESSINGS ONLY!!!!   AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT AT ALL - THAT THIS IS THE 'EARLIEST' & RAREST 1ST PRESSING YOU CAN POSSIBLY GET - FROM THE VERY 'DAY OF RELEASE' BACK IN 1970!!!!  THIS LP IS SERIOUSLY RARE AND SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND LIKE TH

VINYL:  EX           This is a strong EX condition record.  I have inspected it under direct sunlight, normal room light and 100watt naked bulb light.   Under normal room light, there is only one very small, visible surface scuff which can be seen.   Under bright 100watt and sunlight, the MOST that can be seen is 3 or 4 faint paper marks and one or two very thin hairlines.   The record is very clean and shiny and still has that "just pressed" look.  There is no evidence this record has been played more than a few times only!      

Please note:  this record has been kept on the shelf for a while so would probably benefit from a good professional clean before playing. 

LABELS: EX            The labels have a couple faint spindle marks, no stains, wear, fading, stickers or writing.   Again, the labels are the earliest possible configuration (see above).   The Side B label is also the version with the upside down 4th symbol (the feather). 

INNER:  EX-            The inner sleeve is also the earliest possible version with a darker gray colour and flipback edges.  Later versions were much lighter in colour.  AND, if that weren't awesome enough!!!!  THIS INNER IS IN STUNNING CONDITION!!  I have seen this inner sleeve on other copies in tatters.  Splits, heavy wear, stains, grubbiness, tears, loads of clear tape and creases are so common with this inner, it's almost impossible to find a good one.   This particular inner has a 1 inch split on the bottom edge.  Otherwise,  the rest of it is SO NICE, I think it qualifies for EX- grading.   There is absolutely no surface staining, wear, writing, no grubbiness or smudges AT ALL!!  There is only a hint of corner/edge wear and the open edges are still strong and sharp, no softening or feathering!!  

SLEEVE:  EX           The gatefold sleeve is also in extremely nice condition.   There is some light edge wear on top and bottom edges.  The spine has some slight wear and slight yellowing from handling.  The right side, top and bottom corners are slightly rounded .   The front, back and inside surfaces are absolutely stunning though.   There is no surface wear on front or back and only a hint of rub wear along the bottom edge on the inside surfaces.   There is also only very slight discolourations around the outside edges from years of handling.   There are no sticker marks, no creases, no writing, no indentations, stains or smudges and no grubbiness. 

CAT NO: 2401012

Lastly,  please ask any questions before bidding and please message me if you would like more photos.  I will be happy to send them.  

If you are planning to bid, please take a moment to read the details below and be an informed buyer.  Above anything else, please email me if you have any questions. 

SELLER RATINGS:   Please realize dispatch time is NOT the same as delivery time.  I cannot control the post office.  You are meant to rate MY dispatch time... meaning the time from your payment to my posting.  Due to some buyers not understanding this, I am likely going to lose my Top Seller status which means my items will be harder for you to find and might cost you more to buy.   

POSTAGE COSTS/TIME:   Ebay is not my primary employment and therefore I cannot get to the post office every day.  I will post within 5 business days of cleared payment.  Please make sure you are happy to wait at least 6 days (UK) for your item before bidding.   I do not post on weekends or holidays.

Email for combined postage rates.  I use heavy mailers with stiffeners and plastic sleeves which are included in the postage.  All items will have Proof of Postage.  If you want a tracking number with your order, please add £0.95 for the UK and £5.15 for everywhere else or email me and I will resend your invoice.  

Anything over £30 will be sent recorded delivery automatically.  Please wait for your invoice!  Recorded post is £0.95 extra within the UK and £5.15 in addition to normal postage charges for the rest of the world.  Special Delivery is available upon request.   This will cost more so please ask for estimated postage charges before you buy.

With apologies to our buyers, we have had to increase postage costs in response to a massive increase in postage by Royal Mail.  We still only charge what it costs us + a few pence for the cost of packing materials.  

SOUTH AMERICAN BUYERS: ALL items are shipped via International Signed For postage.  No exceptions.  Please wait for your invoice before paying.  

AMERICAN BUYERS:  Stuff is taking up to 4 weeks to get to you. Please keep that in mind.

RETURNS:  Quite simple:  For any reason you aren't happy, send it back to me.  If I messed up - full refund including return postage.   If I didn't mess up - refund of purchase less postage.  Email me with anything,  I'm flexible so just give me a chance to work things out.   

ITEM CONDITION:  All items are used unless otherwise stated.  I do my best to describe everything as accurately as possible but I'm human and do get it wrong sometimes.  I will happily accept returns with full refund + postage when the item is received in the condition it was sent.  I am using the Record Collector grading guide and only visually grade.  Any records I'm not sure about, I will listen to and note in the description.   

After reading all this, if I make a mistake, I would appreciate not receiving bad ratings for item description as I am an honest, independent seller and am trying my best.  Please contact me with questions before bidding and I will provide extra photos of sleeve, spine and record condition upon request. 

Please feel free to email if you have any questions or concerns as I will happily do what I can to resolve. 

Thanks and good luck.