LED ZEPPELIN I UK Atlantic 588171 STUNNING NM CONDITIONED ALBUM PLAYED 4 TIMES

$

320

Hello and Welcome!  

Despite being eBay Vintage Vinyl Sellers since 1999, we have recently elected to auction off some of our vintage and rare personal albums culled from a 32 year collection under this new screen-name. We pride ourselves as collectors, sellers and most importantly, true purists when it comes to this hobby which has turned into a huge on-line business for many folks.   Unlike many eBay sellers of LPs these days, we still feel compelled to write up complete as well as accurate descriptions of our vinyl in order that no surprises will occur, other than happy ones.  This is why we take painstaking efforts to describe every detail of our play-graded LPs, which never seem to disappoint our buyers.   

We are offering an Extremely Well-Conditioned, Complete, and Magnificent 1969 UK 2nd Variant "Plum" (Warner's) Copy of Led Zeppelin's Debut Album aka Led Zeppelin I on Atlantic Records 588171.  This specific label variation DOES NOT have the 'Super-hype' credit which is found on the initial issue of the exquisitely rare  'Turquoise" pressings which possessed either the "uncorrected" or "corrected" matrices, the latter which can also be found on early copies of the second variation "Orange" titled Led Zeppelin I jackets.  Our copy presents with the exquisite "Orange and Purple" aka "Plum variation which cites 'Warner Bros. / 7 Arts/ Jewel Music' on the lower, centered, bottom portion of each label side.  

MATRICES/STAMPERS/ RUN-OFF WAX DATA

**Side 1: 588171 A#1  13  41/Side 2:  B ? 4  111

**Please Note That On Side 1's Run-off Wax, The Second Number '8" is "etched out" and another "8" was "etched in" On Top Of The Original Number "8"**

Our Goldmine Grading of this or any other album entails a Visual Assessment of the Vinyl, Labels, Jacket, Inner Sleeve and Inserts (If Applicable) as well as an Aural Evaluation.  All pre-owned LPs that we put up for auction are first professionally cleaned with our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine prior to being Play-Graded on a Denon DP 54-F Turntable equipped with a SHURE M97xE Cartridge/Stylus.  Our Pre-Amp is a Denon PMA 750.  Our Polk Audio Speakers allow one the opportunity to hear any sonic distortion, variation in sound quality such as drops in sound levels, detection of the slightest background noise e.g. crackle, clicking, and, of course, jumps.  All of our albums are stored upright and kept in an air conditioned, smoke free environment and are, or have been protected by polyurethane jacket protectors since our acquisition of them.  

VISUAL GRADES

VINYL:  This LP presents with Full Gloss, Sheen, and visually, looks like a "brand new" record.  Only under the most intense halogen lighting as well as closely examining the pristine surfaces from a variety of angles by carefully shifting the album, not to mention, using our collective 4 eyes, we were able to detect 2-3 extremely tiny, miniscule "hairlines" on Side 1 and, possibly 1- 2 of the same type of "hairlines" on Side 2.  Since we acquired this gorgeous album from one of, if not the most respected UK-based eBayers who specializes in the collecting as well as selling of vintage vinyl in October of 2009, it had been well over 2 years since we gazed upon the mirror-like surfaces of this majestic LP, and it exhibited every stunning quality which we initially noted upon its initial play-grade on December 22, 2009.  Led Zeppelin I, and we are mentioning this as fact, was not one of those titles which was rarely played in any country.  Most US and UK copies of this incredible album, have been played to the point that they ended up looking like a 20 year old dart board, peppered with gouges and scratches, or, at the very least, degenerating into poorly conditioned LPs which no one in the early 1970s would place on a new stereo system.  At this point of our evaluation, we played this vinyl once in the 2 and 1/2 years in which we owned it.  After its play-grade in 2009, we stored the freshly VPI Cleaned wax in an anti-static poly-lined inner sleeve, placed that sleeve in an 18 point card-board jacket protector, placed the laminated album jacket in its own 3 ml. polyethylene album jacket, and placed all of the contents into another 3 ml. protector.  For the past 2 and 1/2 years, this album remained separated from its "Turquoise" cousin via card-board pads and simply remained upright.  Per our listings, we always take numerous photos of the vinyl, labels, jacket, inner sleeve, and any inserts, if necessary.  The various photos of this wax will, hopefully, highlight how bright and brilliant their vinyl's surface truly is.  It goes without saying that there is absolutely no groove wear on this jewel, no discoloration on the shiny black surface of either side, no scruffs, no "pitting", and we feel that this LP would satisfy the most "mint-conscious" collector.  Based on the the vinyl's condition, the analysis of the labels, specifically spidering as well as the spindle hole, we are estimating that this record could not have seen more than 4 extremely careful plays during its 42+ year life-span.      Goldmine Grade:  NM 

LABELS:  The Atlantic/Polydor UK Orange and Purple (Plum) labels are, in general, probably the most beautiful ones ever manufactured.  Our copy's labels on both sides show 3-4 extremely short, thin "spider-lines" IN TOTAL!  As our photographs show, these labels are vibrant in the two primary colors of "orange"--which has a touch of Magenta and, of course, the soothing deep purple or "Plum".  The surface of the labels is free of any writing, rips, or fading print.  What's most impressive to us, surrounds the spindle hole, where the eBay picture's "zoom" feature, will be able to show how the excess of "label paper" started to "peel", as we photographed the LP on our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine.  These Plum Labels are simply magnificent with the three-tiered color, counting the center band of white, which makes one wonder why the USA Atlantic Record Company didn't use this same style on Led Zeppelin's first four American Releases.   Goldmine Grade:  NM

JACKET:  This jacket may be the most recognizable and infamous one in music history.  Printed and Made by MacNeill Press Ltd., London, S.E1., this is a fully laminated, somewhat flimsy by nature, and a cover which is quite prone to serious damage, in our experience.  However, we are speaking about OUR copy, and this specimen's jacket is one which is virtually perfect.  On the front-side, there are a handful of very minor laminate "half-moons", some of which are extremely difficult to detect.  There are no signs of ring-wear on either side, a phenomenon which we've never seen on a jacket this fragile and on a title which was quite prone to abuse!  Incredibly, all four corners are free from dings, wear, balding, or bumps.  Three minor creases appear on the back-side.  That's it!  The famous "Silver" band runs perfectly along the bottom rim and it is perfectly intact as is the cover's spine, which has retained all of its structure, laminate, and displays the name of the band, the record company, and the catalogue number.  There are no signs of "feathering" on the lip, where the LP is generally stored.  There are no seam spits, signs of laminate lifting, or any other flaws that we could detect on this incredibly preserved jacket.  It ranks as one of the best Led Zeppelin I jackets we have ever seen, handled or owned.  Goldmine Grade:  NM  

INNER SLEEVE:  "Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous" and this one has the date of 08/71 as well as the 2 patent numbers.  It's only "sin" may be that the two bottom corners have creases.  Otherwise, we are looking at a 100% intact poly-lined Original and Correct Inner "Bag" for this 3rd variant LZ1 album.  The reverse side was not photographed, simply because it is a bit "whiter" than the front side, less "folded", and it is blank in terms of any print/data.  As an aside, the LP is housed in an anti-static, poly-lined generic sleeve, which is further protected by a card-board Jacket protector.  The original Inner Sleeve remains stored inside of the album's jacket.  We will ship/post the vinyl in the generic inner sleeve (see 'How We Pack Your Vinyl' Section')                      Goldmine Grade:   NM-     

PLAY-GRADE 

This copy of Led Zeppelin I was play-graded (Its second time under our ownership) on 5/9/12 after receiving its VPI 16.5 Cleaning an hour earlier.  This is worthy of mention for any LP which receives a Professional Vacuum Cleaning, must be allowed to air-dry for no less than 20 minutes in order to allow a full drying prior to playing.  We believe that an LP should air dry for at least an hour in order to avoid the occasional "static" which can occur as a result of this process.

Plum Led Zeppelin LPs are a listening experience like no other, particularly if anyone has ever listened to Led Zeppelin II--and I am speaking to the Mega-Rare UK 'Livin', Lovin' Wreck'  Misprinted Variation which is, in many Zeppelin fans opinion, the most powerful sonic listening experience of ANY Led Zeppelin album anywhere.  Obviously fewer fans have had the chance to listen to the Ultra-Scarce "Turquoise" Led Zeppelin I album, which is an experience very much like the one we had the other day with this monster rocking album.

We played our copy quite loud in order to be able to pick up any distortions in audio delivery, background crackling or other distractions, and to fully experience the superior stereo separation of our UK LZ Debut LP,  one LP which blasts the USA pressing of the same title, including the White Label Sample Copy, out of the water on every level.  This vinyl played flawlessly on our system and if we heard 3 barely audible moments of "static" throughout the two sides, it was only due to our "looking" for aural distortions.  Instead, we were treated to hearing the hardest rocking band (at least in 1969) of four gifted accomplished musicians, including Robert Plant's vocals which were actually a musical instrument during this rare period of Led Zeppelin's career.  This integration of voice, guitar, harmonica, bass, drums and even organ, meshes perfectly on the now-properly credited Willie Dixon epic blues number, "You Shook Me".  Our Polk Speakers seemed to enjoy the interplay between Jimmy Page's defiant guitar and John Paul Jones' steady, yet counter offering of sizzling bass lines on Page's "Dazed and Confused", one of a few tracks which confirm drummer John Bonham's justified position as a co-owner of Led Zeppelin's overall sound.  All this, without so much as a "crackle", a click, or any loss of "highs" which sometimes occur with vintage vinyl LPs.  

Is there any other Zeppelin album which features John Paul Jones' bashing bass running head to head with Bonham's drums as well as Page's still-respectful guitar on nearly every track?  Zeppelin's "hit" off this album, "Communication Breakdown", came across with the "punch" that used to be solely relegated to the mono format, yet, in this one track, the stereophonic formulae which Jimmy Page and Executive Producer, Peter Grant, managed to revolutionize, seemed to make 'Mono" obsolete forever.  Similarly, it is the acoustic ballad "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" which may showcase how superb the stereo production on this vinyl truly is.  Two different guitars, both obviously played by Page, are so distinct, so rich in their different notes and at the same time, not dominating a song which Plant's voice so whimsically echoes the human pain of separation.  Our copy delivers on both spectrums, meaning the "switch-off" between the soft and, suddenly thunderous, louder notes of music in a manner which was sonically advanced then anything ever previously recorded.  

Many critics of this Led Zeppelin LP have pointed to the band "stealing" songs from the blues-masters e.g. two tracks on this LP were written by Willie Dixon, for example, and still other uncredited artists would serve Grant and Page with lawsuits, demanding their share of the album's enormous world-wide success--meaning royalties, of course.  Others point to the recurring themes of lost love, overt lust, out of wedlock children and even extending flirting with demonology and black magic to lengths never before explored by ANY rock band, including The Rolling Stones.  All that aside, Led Zeppelin I has remained one of the most coveted vinyls in history, specifically for the unsurpassed aural delivery which, again, is still only available on the UK Plum Label versions of these titles.  As LZ fans and vinyl collectors, we have been fortunate enough to own 2 copies of the "Turquoise" Led Zeppelin I and, to be perfectly honest, we could not tell the difference between the sound delivery of the ever-increasing in cost "Turquoise" pressings (which are nearing an average of $2500.00 USD for a NM copy; if you can even find a "true" NM copy) and this crucial second variation, known to the die-hard Zeppelin collectors as "Warner's", which isn't a "cheap" alternative by any means, yet, like its first cousin, is also increasing as a sound financial investment.     

We believe that condition is everything when it comes to collecting these classic and original UK pressings of ANY British Rock Band.  We can say with a high degree of certainty that this stunning, NM album is probably the best conditioned copy on eBay, or any other auction site, for that matter.  This gem was acquired from one of the best-known, most successful, and highly regarded UK sellers.  We want it to go to a loving home where it can be gently placed on a high-end sound system, and that the winner can go back to 1969, just when this album allowed the planet to listen to how incredible the vinyl format can be, with the technology which clearly wasn't available during the beginning of The British Invasion, the psychedelic era of the mid-1960s, or even the final couple of albums released by The Beatles.  Led Zeppelin I did not let the music die at all.  They simply revolutionized it.      Goldmine Grade:  NM        

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Payment

...is due within 48 hours via PayPal and must be made in US $

USA SHIPPING

IS EXPEDITED AND FREE!!!!

THIS ALBUM WILL SHIP VIA 2 DAY PRIORITY MAIL WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION AND INSURANCE.

We Do Ship/Post Worldwide; However, International Bidders Will Need to Accept The Following Terms If They Elect To Bid On This Item:

-All Payments Must Be Made Via PayPal and in USD Currency WITHIN 48 HOURS AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS

-Shipping/Posting WILL Require ALL International Bidders to Agree to have this Parcel shipped Via USPS International Express Mail which allows Tracking and Insurance.  

WE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COST SO ALL OF OUR BELOVED INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS NEED TO PAY IS A FLAT RATE OF $35.00 USD FOR THE BEST SHIPPING/POSTING SERVICE IN THE USA.  THIS COVERS TRACKING, DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, INSURANCE, AND, IF BUYER REQUESTS "SIGNED FOR" SERVICES, THIS CAN BE INCLUDED AS WELL.  YOUR ALBUM WILL ARRIVE WITHIN 5-7 DAYS FROM DATE OF POSTING/SHIPPING.   

-Seller Reserves The Right To Cancel Any Bids From Questionable Bidders (Low Feedback Percentage, Blocked Countries).

**WE NO LONGER SHIP TO ITALY**

How Your Vinyl Will Be Packed

All LPs won from our eBay listings are first professionally cleaned with our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine and immediately placed in an anti-static poly-lined Inner Sleeve and/or a polyethylene 3 ml Album Protector prior to being professionally shipped/posted.  All Vinyl is separated from its Album Jacket.  We provide a second polyethylene/Mylar Album Protector for the Album's Jacket, Original Inner Sleeve, and any Inserts, if applicable.  Vinyl is placed between 2 cardboard pads or "stiffiners" and sandwiched between these 2 pads.  The pads and vinyl are appropriately secured and placed inside a NEW, TOP INDUSTRY STANDARD VINYL RECORD MAILER.  The Album's Jacket, already protected with a 3 ml polyethylene/Mylar Protector, is then placed on top of the sandwiched vinyl.  If needed, an additional cardboard insert or plastic "cushioning" is placed on top of the jacket's poly/mylar protector.  Finally, we secure the Vinyl Album Mailer and mark the parcel "Handle with Care" as well as "Fragile" in various spots on the mailer.

We've packed thousands of Vinyl Albums, EPs, Old and Fragile 78 RPM records as well as 7" Singles over the Past 15 years.  Our items have been shipped over the entire planet and we have never had a package arrive to a buyer damaged or had any  parcel end up missing.  Delivery Confirmation is Applied to All Domestic Packages as well as Insurance for value.  At this point in time, we Ship/Post World-wide (Excluding Italy Due To Their Postal System's Failure to Deliver Packages in a  timely rate which is acceptable to eBay)  and We Use Only USPS Express International (Expedited Posting) Mail.  This is the only way a parcel can be Tracked, have Delivery Confirmation Applied to it, and affords us the ability to place Any Amount Of Insurance on the item.  

Any and all questions about this item, will be answered in a timely manner.  We ask that all questions be submitted via the eBay e-mail mechanism.

Have Fun and Bid on this unique LP!