LED ZEPPELIN HOUSES OF THE HOLY 1973 UK ATLANTIC 1st PRESS A2/B2 STERLING RL

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Led Zeppelin's iconic fifth studio album, titled "Houses Of The Holy", Catalogue Number K50014. It's a 1973 UK first pressing on the Atlantic record label, with a first issue unlaminated gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the correct MacNeill Press Ltd. lyric inner sleeve which is made from thick textured card. [The stamped record matrix numbers are the earliest K50014 A2 and K500 B2. "STERLING RL" is stamped in the run-outs of both sides indicating this to be the superior sounding Robert Ludwig first pressing which was mastered at New York's Sterling Studios. The green and orange Atlantic labels do not have the Warner "W" logos which appear on later pressings].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just very light signs of wear and no creases of any significance, just a few tiny lines near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked. The opening gatefold spread is pristine and the spine is square and solid. Overall it's a very well preserved example indeed. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record is in EX condition. It retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually the playing surfaces show only a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks in addition to 3 shadowy lines across Side Two (cause unknown) evident when angled against bright light. These are purely superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The green and orange Atlantic labels are like new with just a few faint spindle traces each side. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is very powerful and dynamic with lots of wonderful guitar riffs and great bass. The Robert Ludwig pressings are widely acknowledged as being the best-sounding pressings of this album. It really is a top playing copy in every respect. I guarantee that it will not disappoint!

The lyric inner sleeve is in great condition with no seam splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete 1st issue of Led Zeppelin's highly accomplished fifth studio album which will make a fine addition to any record collection. 
 

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 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 Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50