LED ZEPPELIN HOUSES OF THE HOLY A2/B2 1st PRESS SUPERB AUDIO w/BEST EVER OBI
£
261
$
346
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Description
Led Zeppelin Houses Of The Holy A2/B2 1st Press w/OBI
This first press comes complete with the rare and very collectable Obi which is easily the finest example I have ever seen!
The audio plays to a superb standard with not one single click or pop and the clarity, depth and warmth on both sides is exceptional. The majority is of Mint quality no exaggeration and 'The Rain Song' has minimal static on the opening section. The classic 'No Quarter' again plays with great clarity during the quieter moments with only very minimal static that is in no way intrusive, the playback is stunning. The audio is equal to that of an un-played record in my opinion and I cannot emphasise enough just how good the sonic quality is here.
The A2/B2 first pressings were of course mastered by Robert Ludwig and his cuts are very much favoured in the audiophile community. They seem to have a greater depth and warmth so when you find a vinyl as 'clean' as this that audio quality is even more obvious. Needless to say this vinyl is also very impressive visually.
The cover is also in excellent condition with only very minimal wear and as stated the original UK Obi is stunning. Difficult to enthuse about a piece of paper but we all know how rare and collectable they are and especially in this condition. The lyric inner is also in superb order with no wear.
K 50014 // A2 / B2 // STERLING RL on both run outs
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 opening section Ex+ then Near Mint for remainder)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Ex+
The original UK obi is Near Mint
The lyric inner is Near Mint
The labels are Near Mint
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition with an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no scratches. There is none of the mottling that you often find with this LP and the only visual 'blemish' are a couple of very faint hairlines across S1 and an equally as faint 3/4 band of hairlines across S2. Do not let this put you off! They were either caused during the manufacture or from sleeve removal and have no affect on the stunning audio. It is still a super clean vinyl and it would be difficult to find a better first pressing. The run out grooves are super clean and the green/orange labels are almost 'as new' with barely any spindle wear.
Play grading
The opening instrumental on 'The Song Remains The Same' is superb and could not play with any greater clarity. It has to be the finest intro I have ever heard and has that familiar warmth and depth of a Robert Ludwig cut. It is 'as new' without even a single dust tick and the first verse is just as impressive. It continues to play with a sonic quality that defies its near 50 years of age. I cannot overstate just how stunning the audio is here! The playback is so 'clean' where each note is just so sharp and precise. In essence it plays like it has never been played before! Page's sections are just phenomenal and Mint is an easy grade to give.
The acoustic intro on 'The Rain Song' begins very clearly with only minimal light static and Plant's first vocal plays to the same standard. There are no clicks or pops, just a little background static which is in no way intrusive and the actual clarity of the music cannot be faulted. The long instrumental passage plays so well with barely any 'background' and the next vocal plays nigh on perfectly. As the volume builds the audio is flawless and the remainder plays beautifully including the quieter end section. I would grade the opening section as Ex+ and the rest as Near Mint if not better.
'Over The Hills And Far Away' again plays with exceptional clarity from the get go with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks on the acoustic intro. From then on it plays as a well preserved vinyl should - with wonderful clarity and definition. This is particularly obvious when Bonham comes in and the audio can correctly be described 'as new'. The very quiet instrumental end section is again so 'clean' with only a small number of dust ticks. I am confident in grading this as Mint- such is the quality.
All I need to say about 'The Crunge' is that it plays superbly from the first note to the last with no interference whatsoever. I will add that there is no inner groove distortion and not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything more. An immaculate Mint end to the side.
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S2 continues this fine form with a stunning rendition of 'Dancing Days' that plays with tremendous clarity and depth from start to finish. There is literally no intrusion on the audio Mint is an easy grade to give.
'D'yer Mak'er' is of the same 'high end' standard and again it's the clarity of the recording that really stands out here. This is clearly a record that has hardly been played over the years thus retaining its original sonic quality. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either. A couple of dust ticks at most but they hardly deserve a mention! This is Mint in from the intro to the fade out.
The very quiet opening section on 'No Quarter' plays so clearly with only very minimal intermittent light static and is easily one of the 'cleanest' intro I have heard in many a year. As Bonham and then Page join the scene the playback is mesmeric! The depth and resonance of the music is so strong and there is no interference at all. The first vocal section again plays with sublime clarity with only very quiet and sporadic dust ticks and again there is only minimal light static during the quiet mid section, a perfectly acceptable amount you could say and in no way does it intrude on the stunning quality of the 'listen'. The remainder of this instrumental is faultless and the second verse has only the lightest of background and then the rest of this classic is 'as new' without a doubt. This is such a strong version and it would be difficult to find a better one in my opinion. You never find one without any static during the quieter sections and it really is kept to a minimum here. A stunning Near Mint version in my humble opinion.
The 'spoken' intro on 'The Ocean' is perfect and Page's introduction yields no interference either. Plant's first vocal is so clean and 'fresh' sounding and the mid section instrumental is again sublime. The super quiet 'la la' section is another example of the clarity on offer here - just 3/4 barely audible dust ticks but as I often say do these even deserve a mention? It makes it seem like I am underselling the record! You will find dust ticks on a recently pressed vinyl let alone one from '73! The final verse has no interference and to the very end it is 'as new' with no inner groove distortion at all. Even Page's final note has no 'background'! A stunning Mint version to end the album.
In summary this genuine first press plays to a sensational standard with no obvious interference. There is a little light static at the beginning of 'The Rain Song' but the other quieter sections on the record, namely during 'No Quarter', play so clearly and with only the bare minimum of non-intrusive static. As always I have listened to every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading and this is without doubt one of the finest first pressings I have ever sold, perhaps the best! There is not one single click or pop and as stated the audio definition and warmth could not be any more impressive. Plus a very clean cover and the most STUNNING Obi I have ever seen!!
The Gatefold, Lyric Inner and Obi
The gatefold is in excellent condition and has retained its original shape with no bends or creasing, not often handled I would say. The edges have hardly any rubbing and the wide spine is near perfect with only a minimal touch of corner wear. The right hand corners are similarly in excellent shape with very little wear and the opening edge is also near perfect. The front cover is very clean apart from a small fade area near the top and a very small black 'line' just along from it next to the opening edge. The back cover is even better with only a minor hint of ringwear near the top, very minor! The inside of the gatefold is in beautiful condition and has lost none of its original vivid colouring. A fine example of this cover.
The textured MacNeill lyric inner is in fantastic condition and has no side splits or marking and looks practically 'as new'. It has none of the spotting or staining that you so often and only one very tiny corner crease. The rare and sought after original Obi is the all important UK one and is absolutely STUNNING! It is by far the most impressive one I have ever seen and has no rips, tears or marking. Perhaps just a mild hint of rubbing at each end but that is being super critical! You could not find better!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
K 50014 // A2 / B2 // STERLING RL on both run outs
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
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