Item Description
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WE HAVE A 100 POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING AND A 100 TRACK RECORD OF OFFERING GREAT PRODUCTS, SERVICE, COMMUNICATION AND DELIVERY GUARANTEED LED ZEPPELIN IVORIGINAL 1971 PLUM RED ULTRA RARE FIRST EVER UK PRESSING There is the true first pressing of Led Zeppelin IV.
Many other label variants are passed off as first pressings but as we all know, there is only one, they virtually never come on sale, and these days, they are among the rarest of all the rarest vinyl records.
It could be argued that they are rarer than the superb Turquoise Led Zeppelin I, which although undoubtedly is one of the great vinyl rarities, it does come on the market fairly regularly, and has soared in price in recent years.
This is a genuine first pressing of Led Zeppelin IV in superb condition with Top Audio.
CAT NO:....
Deluxe 2401012 - Stereo - ATLANTIC, MADE IN GT BRITAIN.
LABEL PRESS DETAILS: Plum Red Atlantic Deluxe 2401012, inscribed in the centre of side 1.
with PECKO DUCK and on side 2.
with PORKY.
This is a Rare genuine 1st press of Led Zeppelin IV.
There are so many distinguishing features of this 1st press, it can be easily identified.
The position of the BAND NAME text on this press is completely different to all other pressings.
It omitted certain credits so had to be replaced by the design seen on the later A3 presses.
And this press has the first ever A3 / B3 matrix numbers which are impossibly rare with the first press labels Most importantly and the reason for its rarity this 1st label has LED ZEPPELIN printed at the bottom on the plum colour.
The Under licence text is printed above the white centre strip, and there is no Superhype Music Inc credit.
It has the distinctive Peter Grant credit at the bottom.
It also has Pecko Duck and Porky engraved in the runout, this can also be found on the later press.
The 1st press record also comes with the earliest gatefold sleeve.The labels on the vast majority of all the UK pressings have multiple printed differences and mistakes.
Although these first labels have similarities to Led Zeppelin 1 , omitting the music publisher, Superhype Music Inc , on the First Zep IV the album s production credit are different and even the label s printing layout and actual design was changed for all that immediately followed the few very earliest pressings.
The main difference, and the one the makes these true 1st pressings stand out is the labels design - not having Led Zeppelin printed on the top half of the label just underneath the four runic symbols.
Even later corrected A3 B3 pressings don t have the name in the bottom half, as found on this one, just under the track titles in smaller lettering, making this the most obvious difference from all the immediately following re-printed, original red / plum 1971 labels.
Also under the track listing on those re-printed labels was the amended correct album credits Kinnet Music Ltd.
/ Superhype Music Inc.
Produced By Jimmy Page.
Originally printed on this, the very first pressing, with the first and soon to be changed credit design label format, stating Kinney Music Ltd.
LED ZEPPELIN Produced By Jimmy Page.
Executive Producer Peter Grant.
One other abnormality is also found on the first side s matrix numbers, instead of the correct, - A - 3 , it ended with - B - 1 This was spotted as well and where Atlantic determined to get these few records out and sold That ending was over stamped with XX and the correct ending - A - 3 was stamped to the immediate right, you can still just about see the incorrect stamping.
This matrix is only on the very first records made, most likely even before the later stickered copies.
This is without any question and by far the rarest label format of them all.
MASTERED BY GEORGE PECKHAM - A PORKY S PRIME CUT - MASTERING ENGINEER TO THE BEATLES, APPLE STUDIOS.
3 SAVILLE ROW, LONDON George Peckham mastered this album with Jimmy Page and Phil Carsons from Atlantic Records.
Page called back after the session to say how please he was with the results and that he wanted George to master all future Led Zeppelin Lps.
his Porky s inscription would go on to also appear on latter albums.
THIS IS A COMPLETE GENUINE ULTRA RARE FIRST EVER ORIGINAL FROM MY OWN PERSONAL COLLECTION, AND IS A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE VINYL ALBUMS OF ALL TIME.
ARGUABLY LED ZEPPELIN S GREATEST WORK IN ITS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL FORMAT.
MATRIX NOs.
ON RUN-OUT GROOVE Side 1.
2401012 XX A // 3 ultra rare corrected matrix Side 2.
2401012 B // 3 MOTHER STAMPERS: Side 1.
1 2 2 impossibly early Side 2.
1 1 5 - MAKING THIS AN EXCEPTIONAL RARE EARLY PRESSING TRACK LISTING Side 1: Black Dog Rock and Roll The Battle of Evermore Stairway to Heaven.
Side 2: Misty Mountain Hop Four Sticks Going to California When the Levee Breaks.
Led Zeppelin 4 charted at No.
1 in the UK and No.
2 in the US, with a status as one of the greatest rock albums ever.
A diverse work of astonishing musical beauty it has held its power to delight and surprise when heard in clear audio detail.
Following the staggering reunion triumph at the O2, which I was lucky enough to be at, with interest in Led Zeppelin greater than ever, with the site for the Ahmettribute.com tribute concert receiving an unbelievable 120 million hits, with 25 million people apparently registering for a Zeppelin ticket, its as good a time as any to invest in an original pressing of this classic Zep album.
Four Symbols spent an amazing 57 weeks in the UK charts.
The green orange label pressing s would far outsell the red and maroon colour early pressing s.
The Plum label variants were only available for 12 of the 57 weeks, during which time Atlantic prepared to launch their new labels and the new catalogue numbers.
Label changes usually took place incrementally, with a necessary cross over period needed to bridge the change of the records and covers already in record shops, taking into account the most recent releases that were still selling.
The classic Plum label design was changed by Atlantic to a green orange colour in March, 1972, when the second pressings of 4 Symbols were made, with a new catalogue number, K 5008, replacing the first issue s De Luxe 2401 012.
ALBUM PLAYED FOR GRADING: Yes Top Audio - superb sound quality throughout Zep IV is a complex and varied collection of music, and is also a relatively sensitive piece of vinyl, very hard to find in clear audio condition.
Worn copies can have a lot of surface sound, pops and clicks, even on musically complex and busy tracks like Four Sticks.
This pressing has strong undistorted audio, with super clear sound and absolutely minimal background static.
There is certainly no dominant interference, and NO loud pops, clicks or distortion.
It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity Superb sound, every track has been tested and I could find no obvious sound blemishes.
The occasional ultra light static tic and some ultra light occasional static only is all I could detect, and it is light and very occasional.
Wonderful TOP audio, there is NO distortion, NO sticks or jumps what so ever, and virtual silence between the tracks.
This vinyl is an absolute gem Stairway To Heaven sings out with silence in the run ins and quiet areas and not a single pop or click throughout.
Great music with great clarity, and so hard to find with this type of sound.
It really sounds amazing and plays with great sound separation and clarity I will give a detailed account below: Even for Led Zeppelin, their fourth album is a complex and varied collection of music, and extremely hard to find in clean audio condition.
This pressing has amazing strong undistorted audio, with crystal clear sound.
NO interference, NO pops or clicks, No distortion what so ever.
Any static is extremely low level, and that is unusual for any vinyl.
It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity The album starts straight away with great clear music, with so many sounds and layering that are usually inaudible on even slightly worn pressings.
Black Dog bursts in and although it is rockous it can still be a real test for Zep 4.
Here it plays beautifully, with little static.
The track bursts in with amazing power and clarity, a complex track with complex audio layering, all bright and clear.
There is some light static in the split second quiet sections during the introduction, but certainly nothing that obvious.
A wonderful Rock N Roll sounds like it has only ever been played a few times, its so clear.
Super clear bright audio with perfect separation.
Still no pops, clicks or even a hint or distortion.
Just near perfect audio.
I could detect a single light static tic only.
The Battle of Evermore plays brilliantly, with absolutely minimal background static.
This is such a hard track to find with clear sound, and the intro is nearly always dominated by loud plops clicks and static.
Not here.
I only really heard a bit of very light static at the very beginning, and it is extremely light and certainly plays with no pops or clicks.
Even those layered echoes on Plants vocal Bring It Back is crystal clear, with every layered track having perfect separation.
And then the ultimate test for Zep 4, the long intro to Stairway .
Always plagued by heavy static, hear it is very clear.
Incredible sound, it plays with very faint background static in the quietest sections only.
Even the guitar solo on Stairway can play with a lot of static and distortion, and here it is just crystal clear.
Even the short outro plays brilliantly, with some very light background static only.
Amazing audio, the whole album just plays superbly with not a hint of distortion anywhere.
Not a single pop or click, just great super clear sound.
Misty Mountain Hop starts off side 2.
again with super clear audio.
So clear that there is are two seconds of ultra faint music, before the actual main track starts, and this is virtually never detectable, so easily lost under the lightest surface sound.
Hear it is really clear, and the whole track the whole album in fact plays with no pops and absolutely minimal static, if any, just super clear audio.
Four Sticks plays with great clear sound, absolutely superb audio.
Every note is sharp and bright.
Crystal clear audio, no loud pops clicks, minimal static and minimal surface sound during the track.
There is some very light background static between the tracks and at the very start of this track, but certainly nothing that noticeable.
When the bass comes in a third of the way through the track it just bursts out with incredible power, with that unique bass mix only found on very early pressings.
Amazing.
The last of the quiet tracks on the album, Going To California is again often blighted with heavy surface noise, but here it just plays superbly.
A bit of occasional static but certainly nothing particularly obvious.
Not a single pop or click, just a few very light tics during the introduction, and some occasional background static.
Rounding off the album with the massive When the Levee Breaks , this track just plays perfectly.
No pops, no clicks, no static.
Superb.
I really enjoyed every second of this ULTRA RARE early pressing of Zeppelin s classic album.
There are NO repeating tics, NO distortion, NO pops or clicks, and of course NO sticks or jumps what so ever.
This pressing plays with unusually loud, bright clear audio throughout, with no loss of audio performance what so ever.
The music jumps out, with definition and clarity, the vocals which come through with tremendous power.
Its the same with the bass guitar and drums, whilst the guitars come through crisp and clear.
The tonal quality make this a sensational pressing.
With the clear and extra loud First cut engineering giving the audio a vibrant sound which cannot be beaten.
A great all round example of this classic vinyl.
staggering first stereo mix, unlike the re-issues which lack the impact.
A great all round example of this great vinyl.
This is a great audio pleasure and I would give the audio a grade range of EXCELLENT to NEAR MINT.
THE RECORD VISUAL GRADINGA superb piece of glossy vinyl, and a really thick pressing.
Deep clear grooves that can only be found on the original early pressings, this vinyl has been little played.
It does have a couple of non sounding ultra faint hairlines, but the are very light and have no effect on the sound.
Unbelievable to think this vinyl is 40 years old This record has only the faintest of handling marks, which can be seen under a very strong spot light.
It has been played, but only a few times, and very carefully and certainly shows no groove wear.
Graded at EXCELLENT to NEAR MINT.
VINYL TESTED FOR ANY SIGNS OF WARPING: Yes, NONE visible what so ever when tested be sight and on a moving turntable.
THE LABELS A lovely set of these Ultra Rare First press labels.
No obvious marks or scratches, no spindle wear and just a couple of ultra light, tiny, barely visible spindle traces.
The 1960 s red maroon colours of the Atlantic label are only original pressings, they were re-designed to orange and green colours in late 1971.
All the colour is deep and un eroded, and there are no tears, writing or sticker marks on these all important and so rare Plum labels.
No age spots, as clearly shown in the mages.
The colours are so deep on this pressing, and flat matt, great examples.Graded at NEAR MINT.
THE COVER This is a superb 1st press cover, and the correct, darker variant only found with the 1st ever pressings.
Gatefold format, unlaminated, flat matt finish.
Comes with the charcoal black inner, and made in lighter card than some later pressings.
Printed in Great Britain.
The Matt finish covers of Zep IV have to be one of the most prone to wear of all the classic vinyls from the sixties and early seventies.
They do not fare quite as badly as the original Zep II covers, but none the less, they usually come pretty knackered.
But not this one Any serious collector will easily know that original press Zep IV covers are irreplaceable.
Made out of unique and totally un miss able matt card with a coloration that is unique to the first press Plum editions, they are un mistakably different to all later pressings.
Also, the inside gatefold on these first pressings is much lighter than all later pressings, and you can clearly see the original art work shading to the background.
Not having the advantage of being laminated, these covers usually faired pretty badly, with serious ring wear and destruction to the edges.
The Spines are nearly always flattened, worn and torn.
This original Plum press cover has only the lightest wear to the edges, barely noticeable.
It has no rips or tears, and no creases or wear at the opening.
The opening edges are square and un frayed and there is NO ring wear.
Any edge wear is very light, and the inside gatefold is largely unmarked.
The corers are un creased and the spine is completely un marked other then the slightest loss of colour at the very tips.
A great example.Grades at EXCELLENT.
THE INNER Thick grey paper inner with track listings and Stairway to Heaven lyrics.
Flip backs to both sides.
No catalogue number.
Later inner sleeves had a far lighter finish and are far more common, and green orange inners did come with the later catalogue number.
I often wonder if the Zep team were having a laugh when they came up with the inner sleeve of Zeppelin IV.
Beautiful though it is, as is clearly illustrated with this example, they were destined to disintegrate almost as soon as they left the factory.
They are notoriously fragile and rarely, if ever, found un split, un torn or un creased.
So often examples are found where the original owners put clear tape on at least the bottom edge and often on some of the sides too, simply to reinforce the delicate seams in a bid to try and prevent splitting.
Always a terrible idea I imagine that often the vulnerable soft card inners would be split by the record, as the record often moved in the cover in transit to the retail outlets.
Rarely would owners have the inclination or foresight to remove the record from its original inner, and store it in a standard plain poly lined substitute, as has been done with this one.
This, is a great example.
This is the earliest edition, in TOP condition.
NO rips of tears what so ever.
No stains.
The dual flip backs are strong, both solidly stuck down, unruffled or frayed.
The vinyl will of course comes with a new replacement plain white inner sleeve.
Graded at EXCELLENT.
RARITY A GENUINE plum FIRST press Zep IV in any type of condition is scarce and becoming increasingly rare.
A first pressing, with all the details that make it unlike any other pressing that followed virtually never comes on the market, and I guarantee that they can only get scarcer as time goes on.
A first pressing with A 3 B 3 matrix numbers and all the other details that can ONLY be found on genuine first pressings makes this an unbelievably rarity.
And a first pressing with exceptional audio, and its original inner sleeve.
Superb lt div style text-align:center gt lt a style text-decoration:none href gt lt img src border 0 gt lt /agt lt /divgt RARE COMPLETE CLASSIC ORIGINAL VINYLS WITH TOP AUDIO AND GREAT CONDITION THROUGHOUT WE SPECIALISE IN RARE COLLECTABLE PRESSINGS - WITH GREAT SOUND UNINTERRUPTED BY INTERFERENCE.
NO LOUD POPS OR CLICKS, JUMPS OR REPEATS - GUARANTEED GREAT ORIGINAL COVERS WITH NO SEAM SPLITS, TEARS, WRITING OR STICKERS VINYLWe sell the highest quality examples of Classic Vinyl.
Large format art work covers with the original sound and mix unique to the best original pieces, giving the highest audio depth and performance.
Vinyl prices have soared over the last ten years, making classic examples a great financial and cultural investment.
.SCRUPULOUS EXAMINATION and TESTING:All our records are play tested on highly sensitive equipment to ensure the sound quality and accuracy of description.
We aim to give a precise and concise description of the sound, pointing out the slightest defect so that you know exactly what you are buying.
We aim to describe all records as accurately as possible, and offer a full refund on return if for any reason you are not completely happy with the item description.
VINYL SOUND - PLEASE NOTE:Highest quality vinyl with clear sound is rare, and what we always aim for.
We only sell records that play with TOP AUDIO performance super clear sound uninterrupted by hiss or other interference.
Even with the cleanest pressing you will find occasional static or occasional light tics during playback, caused by a build of dust in the grooves.
This is clearly different from the distortion, loud pops, repeating tics or clicks that are found on heavily played and worn pieces of vinyl.
Any static build up will reduce when played, and we advise a light clean between plays for optimal performance.
.IMAGES and INFORMATIONWe only use photographs of the item for sale taken with professional digital cameras.
The images are designed to be as clear as possible, giving an exact representation of the item.
We aim to give sufficient and accurate detail as possible, so that you know exactly what you are buying.
Please let us know if you need any further information and we will be happy to oblige.
SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED.
WE HAVE A 100 POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING.SOME EXAMPLES OF FEEDBACK BRILLIANT LP MINT CONDITION, AWESOME SELLAR, 1ST CLASS PACKAGING, NO PROBLEMS A Absolutely fantastic Worth every single penny Trust you are in careful hands ITEM RECEIVED..
AS DESCRIBED...
PACKED GREAT...MANY THANKS..RECOMMENDED..
AGreat LP from a great seller.
Thanks Very well packaged.
AAA Item arrived quickly, well packaged and in excellent condition.
Very pleased.fast delivery, superb communication, good item, great ebayer AAAAA .RETURN POLICY:100 Satisfaction Guaranteed - returns accepted with out question.
If you are not happy then any item can be returned, we cant say fairer that that WE ONLY SELL RARE RECORDS THAT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION.
IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT DEFECT, IT WILL BE CLEARLY STATED.If in the unlikely event that you may want to return an item, or that we have missed something in the listing, we offer a no quibble return policy.
Items must be returned within 12 Days of receipt, and returned in the same condition that they were sent out in.
Return postage must be paid by buyer, unless there is a particular fault with the item, and then we will pay the full postage costs RECORD GRADING SYSTEM IS AS FOLLOWS - BASED ON RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE U.K.
MINT: Virtually unplayed.
The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.
Cover is pristine.EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.
The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.V.G PLUS: The record will still be nice and shiny, but may have a few light marks, and will play well.
Slight wear and tear on the cover.V.G: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch.
Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches.
The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, etc.FAIR: Fair.
It is noticeable that the record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated very noticeably.
The cover and contents are showing signs of folding, scuffing of edges etc..
POSTAGE AND PAYMENT DETAILS : -Items will be extremely well sealed and securely wrapped using the best possible packaging for safe handling and delivery.
We send items all round the globe with 100 success We sell top quality rare records to discerning buyers.
We do not make money from the postage costs and aim to keep the prices at a reasonable rate, while never offering a cheap or second rate service.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY THAT THE RECORDS YOU BUY GET TO YOU IN PERFECT CONDITION.
All RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR MAIN COVER AND PLACED IN A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT INNER SLEEVES TO AVOID ANY CHANCE OF EDGE SPLITS OR KNIFING.
THEY ARE HELD SAFELY IN EXTRA THICK PLASTIC SLEEVES, AND THEN SECURED WITH SEVERAL EXTRA LAYERS OF REINFORCED CARD BOARD AND PADDING, DOUBLE BOXED IN EXTRA STRONG PROFESSIONAL RECORD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE SAFE ARRIVAL.
WE HAVE A 100 SUCCESS RATE AND AIM TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
Example of packaging used UK - First Class Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : 5.00UK Special Signed For Next Day Delivery with Insurance : 8.90EUROPE - International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : 11.95INTERNATIONAL, Non-Europe e.g.
USA, Japan, Russia, Australia etc.
International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : 18.95.MULTIPLE PURCHASE REDUCTIONReduced postage for multiple records up to 30 off extra items.POSTAGE WILL BE FIRST CLASS OR THE FASTEST AND SAFEST POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, - RECORDED WITH TRACKING AND INSURANCE.
ALL ITEMS ARE FULLY INSURED AND COVERED FOR THE SAFEST DELIVERY POSSIBLE, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.
GUARANTEED POSTAGE RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF POSTAGE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
.PAYMENTS Payments must be made within 3 days of purchasing unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon.
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We accept Pay Pal, bank transfers or postal orders within the UK.
Records will be sent out immediately on receipt of payment.Please Note: If no contact is made by the winning bidder following the mandatory Ebay 3 days, we will reserve the right to offer the item to the next highest bidder, unless prior notice of any delay is arranged beforehand.
Any bidder who has missed the chance to purchase a record can still email to make a priority second chance offer.
