LED ZEPPELIN HOUSES OF THE HOLY 1st UK PRES (NO) WaRnEr

	£		254
	$		336

LED ZEPPELIN ''HOUSES OF THE HOLY' 1st UK PRESSING 1973 CAT NO. K 50014 ATLANTIC LABELS! BARELY PLAYED VINYL! AWESOME AUDIO! NEAR MINT 1ST ISSUE GATEFOLD AND COMPLETE WITH 1ST ISSUE TEXTURED LYRIC RECORD SLEEVE! (''STERLIN'' ''RL'') ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RUN OFF GROOVES! (ONLY 1ST UK PRESS) (NO) WARNER LOGOS ON THE LABELS!! (ONLY THE EARLIEST PRESS) -A2 and -B2 EARLIEST MATRIX ENDINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN!!!

From my personal collection. This is the original 1st uk pressing of Led Zeppelins fifth album release Houses Of Holy released in the UK in 1973! Features the original master pressers signature on both sides ''STERLING'' ''RL'' also this was pressed from the earliest masters A2 and B2 matrix endings! (only 1st uk press)This true UK 1st press record has a number of very important features that all later pressings do not have. Secondly and just as importantly, this record has NO Warner logos around the rim text!!!  The labels also emit the Warner logo that is featured on later pressings! The original 1st issue gatefold is very near mint complete with the 1st issue (textured) lyric record sleeve printed bt MacNeil Press , England. This vinyl has barely ever been played at all. The Audio is extreemely clear and vibrant throughout and plays without any loud clicks or pops there is very minimal interfearance in the form of low level static ticks and light low level static crackle that I could hear in some quiet places but not consistant throughout the audio! (very common on mid seventies pressings) This album is exceptionaly clean for a 36 year old original Led Zeppelin album and a genuine 1st issue\1st uk press!!

Houses of the Holy is the fifth album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released by Atlantic Records on 28 March 1973 in the US and The Swan Song Labels in the UK!.

The album title is a dedication by the band to their fans who appeared at venues they dubbed "Houses of the Holy." It was the first Led Zeppelin album to not be, at least unofficially, titled after the band, and was also the first of the band's albums to be composed of completely original material. It represents a musical turning point for Led Zeppelin, as they began to use more layering and production techniques in recording their songs!!!.

Although Houses of the Holy initially received mixed reviews, it has since become regarded by critics as one of Led Zeppelin's finest albums. The album provided notable additions to the band's catalogue, including "Over the Hills and Far Away", "Dancing Days", "The Song Remains the Same", "D'yer Mak'er", "No Quarter" and "The Ocean", and it has sold over 11 million copies in the United States!!

Much of this album was recorded in Spring 1972 at Stargroves, the country estate in Berkshire which was owned by Mick Jagger, through the use of the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. Some songs from the album had initially been tried out earlier than this, such as "No Quarter", which was first attempted during a session at Headley Grange!!!.

Several of the songs were also demoed at the personal studios of guitarist Jimmy Page and bass player/keyboardist John Paul Jones. These two musicians had recently installed the studios in their respective homes, which enabled them to complete the arrangements which had been laid down earlier. In particular, Page was able to present complete arrangements of "The Rain Song" and "Over the Hills and Far Away", while Jones had developed "No Quarter".

Another bout of recording took place at Olympic Studios in May 1972, and during the band's 1972 North American tour additional recording sessions were conducted at Electric Lady Studios in New York!.

Some songs which were recorded from these various sessions did not eventually make it onto Houses of the Holy, namely "Black Country Woman", "Walter's Walk", "The Rover" and also the title-track, "Houses of the Holy". All of these songs were retained and later released on subsequent Led Zeppelin albums.

The Matrix

Side 1 ''K 50014 A2''

Side 2 ''K 50014 B2''

(NO) Warner Logo On the Labels (only 1st uk press)

The Vinyl

This vinyl has barely ever been played at all! On initial inspection this retains its original sheen from new! The vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable and is free from warps! Only when looked at in very strong light, I can see very very fine surface marks\scuffs\scratches but no major deep marks and nothing that would cause any loud clicks or pops!

The Audio Quality!

I have played the vinyl track for track at very loud volume on a top system! The first this to mention is that the audio is very clear and very vibrant and free from any distortion, loud clicks or pops! It is all too easy to be critical about these mid seventies pressings, the materials used to press these were not as robust as the late 60s vinyls! There was (no) loud clicks or pops during the play but some low level static crackle\ticks were heard during some of the quiet places and in between some tracks, (not consistant throughout the audio),  having said that, this vinyl was extreemely enjoyable throughout. Please note! I have noticed that on some systems played at a lower volume that any static is not as noticable! It is important to note that this vinyl looks and sounds like it has barely been played in my opinion, at least only had very minimal play indeed!

PLEASE NOTE!! I ALWAYS ADD THIS DISCLAMER! I HAVE DESCRIBED AS USUAL THIS VINYL GIVING MY HONEST OPINION ON THE AUDIO QUALITY! PLEASE ALLOW FOR THE ODD LOW LEVEL STATIC (NOT) CONSISTANT THROUGHOUT THE AUDIO!! PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A GENUINE ORIGINAL 36 YEAR OLD VINYL THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY PLAYED ON A 36 YEAR OLD SYSTEM!!!!!

IMPORTANT NOTE! THIS HAS BEEN STORED IN A CASE LAYING DORMANT FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS! A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DUST IN THE GROOVES OVER THE YEARS CAUSES STATIC CRACKLE\TICKS! A CONSTANT CLEAN BEFORE EACH PLAY IS RECOMENDED! THIS REDUCES THIS STATIC AND ENHANCES THE AUDIO QUALITY!  

The Labels

These are the original 1`st issue Swan Song labels! Please note, without the Warner logo that is featured on later press! There is barely a handful of spider marks that can be seen angled to the light! (Amaizingly you can still even see the plastic in the spindle hole!) This has barely ever been played!

 The Record Sleeve 

This is the original textured lyric sleeve (1st issue ) printed by MacNeil Press, England no splits or tares!

The cover

This is the 1st issue unlaminated gatefold! These originals are very slightly sheened but have much less or a sheen than later pressings which are almost glossy in appearance! (This is the genuine 1st issue cover) This cover is very near perfect without any real defects worth to mention! Graded at least excellent p;lus to very near mint!!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA\CANADA\JAPAN\AUSTRALIA IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS 3.90 SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

(ALL ITEMS ARE COVERED BY AN INSURANCE UP TO A VALUE OF £36.00 FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF GOODS IN TRANSIT. AN ADDITIONAL (OPTIONAL) FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR ANY INSURANCE OF A HIGHER VALUE. PLEASE NOTE, THAT SOME COUNTRIES HAVE A MAXIMUM AMOUNT ONLY TO A CERTAIN VALUE THAT CAN BE INSURED! 

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low,poor or no real history,  Please do not bid on my records without first contacting me! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.   

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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