LED ZEPPELIN Houses of the Holy IMMACULATE 1973 N/M LP

	£		33
	$		44

Hi, I am Mike, now 50 – yes the big FIVE-O! Old enough to remember the golden era of original, high quality music, bands, artists.

Also records from the 1960s and 70s bought from the shops from new, I have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 37 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested reader – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching for covers - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic , and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortophon 520 Mk II cartridge (tracks at 1.75 grams). Amps: Arcam 2 x 125W Pre-Power. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO massively thick stiffners for even extra protection and bubble wrap if deemed necessary. These stiffners are the thickest possible and custom supplied for ‘Oneadayrecords’ – these are NOT commercially available and you will not have seen thicker protection anywhere. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used as well as ‘Fragile’ tape for that extra professional touch for the packet. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the cheapest and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 3,500+ items sold in over 5 years of Ebay trading (I am now one of most established sellers via Ebay) and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

Album Title: Houses of the Holy.

Producer(s): Jimmy Page.

Engineer(s): Eddie Kramer, George Chikiantz and Keith Harwood.

Country of Manufacture: France - and including very rare red and mauve labels more in style of the ‘Plum’ format that this album never had as a UK pressing. Beautiful labels, that entitle this copy as ‘House of the Holy’, with stunning conditions and the very best sound I have ever heard from this title.

Track Listing:

Side 1: The Song Remains the Same; The Rain Song; Over the Hills and Far Away; The Crunge.

Side 2: Dancing Days; D’Yer Mak’er; No Quarter; The Ocean.

Label/Format: Atlantic – this French pressing is possibly unique in having these red and mauve labels, certainly totally different from the UK version which now had the orange and green Atlantic labels.

Label Conditions: Virtually Mint as new and quite stunning they look too. This record was played just once and taped, and again from this wonderful collection that had the record placed into a Decca lined inner and cover protected with an outer sleeve. Barely a spindle trace to be seen and try to ever beat this gorgeous, much rarer and unique variant for sound.

Cat Number: 50014 .

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 126 grams.

Rarity: Moderate in theory, but now getting much harder to find than you might think as demand grows for this ever-popular classic. Early pressed copies of this one are hard to find and try finding this beautiful French pressing easily. Not only are the labels in beautiful condition, the record is almost certainly the cleanest and best pressed I have ever heard, it’s barely even run-in in vinyl terms. So often this title as a UK pressing crackles, pops and clicks with pressings that disappoint even from records hardly played. The year of issue gives clues to why but this French pressed gem ignores any oil crisis and plays to hear perfection from start to finish and was a delight to listen too. The cover is little short of immaculate, not sure if this French version included an inner or not, but there was not one inside.

Original Year of Release: 1973

Matrix Nos: MPO 50014 A / MPO 50014 B

Run-Out Groove Text: ‘STIRLING’ on both sides.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Their brilliant fifth album and the first that never appeared on the famous Plum format in the UK. But this French pressed copy is nearest you will get – this one has red and mauve labels – the mauve being much paler than the maroon ‘plum’ format and possibly this is unique to this pressing. Often underrated, compared to the first four but unjustifiably so, how could any band follow IV? - answer, to do something a little different and Houses of the Holy works beautifully, only slightly blemished (in my opinion) by two lesser songs: ‘The Crunge’ which experimented with a funk sound and the reggae track ‘D’yer Mak’er’, which really does not work for me. The other six songs are pure classic Led Zeppelin at their very best. Chart topping in both the UK and US this album boasts too fantastic (and slightly controversial at the time) artwork - the centrespread still for me is one of the most beautiful ever made. Like the labels, its a pure pleasure to see this wonderful cover looking close to new. Never laminated this is more often than not rubbed and creased and this deserves to be owned looking at its very best and like the record enclosed this is just that. Any Led Zeppelin collector will treasure this fine all round copy, certainly more than an interesing variant for the specialist collector, this will never need to be upgraded and will give pleasure for many years.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very high and seldom seen like this. All the ingredients are here again for rubbing and ringwear and to find an early example with none is highly unusual and scarce.

Cover Grade and Format: Mint(-) a truly stunning example that lies down the challenge to be found better. Available covers for this title rarely get offered like this and its a one to cherish. This looks identical to the UK cover and I would strongly suggest it is exactly that. This has no text or imprint and feel sure this was printed in the UK for the French-made record. An unlaminated, matt finished gatefold that has no text printed on it whatsoever.

Cover Front & Back: Both sides look truly stunning and my regulars know when I use these type of words they are just that. As clean and fresh as manufacture day and any tiny blemishes to the surfaces hardly register. Even if scrutinised closely with angled viewing, there is still barely any marks or blemishes to be seen and two highly revealing and critically wear-prone surfaces will rarely, if ever be found better than these. Immaculate and bright and totally unfaded artwork that is a joy to view, both sides are practically crease-free with no rubbing and certainly not even a hint of any pressmarks or ringwear – even the back which seldom escapes totally. I honestly doubt if I will ever find this classic sleeve’s outer surfaces much better than these.

Cover Inner Gatefold: One of the greatest inner gatefold spreads you will ever with to see, I love this artwork and rarely have seen it look better. Superb, immaculate again and this wonderful artwork is given full honours here with barely any traces of any blemishing and this too can rub over time.

Top Edges: Unworn up to the right corner tips.

Bottom Edges: Even these ‘resting edges’ show barely any traces of wear.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, verhy sharp with no wear or feathering. Record entered on this right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: An immaculate spine: Solid, robust, straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. No text was printed on this one and the design flows around with practically zero traces of any wear to the delicate artwork surface.

Corners: Again, little short of factory fresh with any tip rubs or blemishes being miniscule.

Cover Summary: A near reference example of this very delicate and famous 70’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to match or ever find significantly better. Clearly protected from new and hardly ever handled, this beautiful item should please all collectors.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Visually, this record is worthy of a Mint grading but it has now been played twice and is any played record really Mint? – well debatable. On that basis, I think Mint(-) is the correct grade but the playing surfaces look unmarked to my eyes but I confess I do not view records under a thousand watt bulb. This again is an immaculate example that looks new. Sometimes even brand new records had the odd light mark or packing blemish but this looks totally clean and is a pleasure to view like this. This is ultra clean, with excellent shine and lustre, jet black and solidly pressed – certainly more robust than some copies I have had. This feels just that extra bit special with those truly immaculate and colourful labels. A copy barely ‘run-in’ in vinyl terms and these totally unworn, near virgin grooves sound superb. Visually a beautiful ‘House of the Holy’ that should please most all collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This exceptional record plays up to its high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely registered and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a fairly difficult album that sometimes can suffer crackle, certainly the later pressed examples can and often do. This, possibly by some distance, is the very best pressed copy of this difficult album I have ever heard, this French copy excels and was a delight to listen too. Few copies will match or outperform this early pressing significantly I feel sure and this was a joy from start to finish. A record (and cover) clearly well looked after and little handled, I doubt if this record has seen daylight for three decades. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record and most fans will treasure it. This copy will prove near impossible to find significantly better and is strongly recommended and that is to ALL fans, not just specialist collectors.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. US; Australia; Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.