Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin

Otherwise referred to as the UK 1st issue "Variant 3"
Variant 1 - 1st sleeve (Turquoise) and the 1st Plum label Variant 2 - 2nd sleeve (Orange)  and the 1st Plum label Variant 3 (this one) with the 2nd sleeve, the 2nd Plum label.

This issue has the earlier uncorrected stamped run-out matrix number Slightly later issues have the second "8" scratched out. The second label with uncorrected Matrix stamps is by far the rarest of all Five (Superhype) UK 1st issue variants. You will also see that currently, and historically, this is the rarest of the first Ten UK Plum variants.
Once the 8 is scratched out on the original master, there is no going back, and all mother and stampers produced from the original UK master, will from then on, have the 8 scratched out. The scratched out 8 matrices are the most common, yet many sellers seem to declare the scratched out 8 as a "bonus"... it is actually an indicator of the later 1st issues, not the earliest ones.

Fully laminated sleeve, with grey stripe across the base of the front cover.
The sleeve design with the grey strip was used on the sleeves with turquoise lettering and was discontinued shortly afterwards.
Atlantic Plum labels with Superhype / Jewel Music credits on both sides.

The vinyl is visually Very Good, with light sleeve rash, but there is very little effect on the audio.
The record plays with Excellent audio, and has VG+ labels.
The audio is superb, it plays exceptionally well, with a clean background, and bright dynamic audio, with just a tiny handful of very brief, and very minor imperfections on each side. (just a small handful of deadwax and quiet area pops)
With all things considered, the vinyl record is VG+
The cover is fully laminated, with no splits, tears or writing, some creases, but the overall condition is Very Good. (see the pics)
The company inner sleeve is original, and is in Very Good condition.

• Matrix / Runout (Stamped, A Side Runout): 588171  A//1
• Matrix / Runout (Stamped, B Side Runout): 588171  B//1

Label: Atlantic – 588171 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Version 3, Superhype Credit, Uncorrected Stamped Matrix, Orange Lettering Country: UK Released: 1969 Genre: Rock Style: Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Arena Rock

Tracklist

A1
Good Times Bad Times Written-By – Page*, Bonham*, Jones* 2:43 A2
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You Arranged By – Page* Written-By – Traditional 6:40 A3
You Shook Me Written-By – Dixon* 6:30 A4
Dazed And Confused Written-By – Page* 6:27 B1
Your Time Is Gonna Come Written-By – Page*, Jones* 4:41 B2
Black Mountain Side Tabla – Viram Jasani Written-By – Page* 2:06 B3
Communication Breakdown Written-By – Page*, Bonham*, Jones* 2:26 B4
I Can't Quit You Baby Written-By – Dixon* 4:42 B5
How Many More Times Written-By – Page*, Bonham*, Jones* 3:30

Companies, etc.

• Licensed From – Atlantic Recording Corporation
• Manufactured By – Polydor Records Ltd.
• Printed By – MacNeill Press Ltd.

Credits

• Bass, Organ, Backing Vocals – John Paul Jones
• Design [Cover] – George Hardie
• Drums, Timpani, Backing Vocals – John Bonham
• Engineer [Director Of Engineering] – Glyn Johns
• Executive-Producer – Peter Grant
• Photography By [Rear Sleeve] – Chris Dreja
• Producer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jimmy Page
• Vocals, Harmonica – Robert Plant

Notes

Fully laminated sleeve with grey stripe across the base of the front cover. The sleeve design with the grey strip was used on the sleeves with turquoise lettering and was discontinued shortly afterwards. This issue has the earlier uncorrected stamped matrix number, slightly later issues have the second 8 scratched out.

Atlantic red and plum label with Superhype / Jewel Music credits on both labels.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (Stamped, A Side Runout): 588171 A//1
• Matrix / Runout (Stamped, B Side Runout): 588171 B//1

A few words about condition.

Grade & 
score out of 100
                                           GRADING
Mint is a Rigid Band - The next Four Grades are all Narrow Bands, that slightly widen as the condition gradually deteriorates - Good is still Good, but there is a rapid widening of the Grade Bands, as the condition deteriorates over the last Four grades.

MINT
100
The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.
The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.
Only graded on records that are sealed or clearly unplayed.
 
NEAR MINT
97 to 99        

EXCELLENT
90 to 96
The record shows virtually no signs of having been played,  there is no lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have the slightest of tiny defects.
 
The record shows some slight signs of having been played, but there is very little, (if any) lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have very slight wear. 
 
VERY GOOD PLUS
80 to 89

VERY GOOD
69 to 79
The record shows signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have slight wear, light creasing.

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch.
Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects.
This is an above average used record, that has been well looked after.




GOOD
56 to 68
The record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated, but the record will still play through, and it will not be a completely unpleasant listening experience, even at the bottom of this grade (56).
The cover and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. 




FAIR
41 to 55
The record is still playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even stick, skip or jump.. This is starting to be an unpleasant listening experience at the top of the grade (55) and will not be a pleasant listening experience at all by the end of it (41).
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. 
 
POOR
25 to 40
The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc.
The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. 
 
BAD
0 - 24
The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
The Sleeve is non existent (0) or what is left, is only just recognisable.

A few words about postage.

Within Australia, the best value for multiple purchases is a 5KG satchel, where as many as 15 to 20 LPs can be posted for $22.00 registered post. (well packed in a box, inside the satchel)

My Policies on postage are simple.

I post at cost.
The user pays.
I package well.