LED ZEPPELIN II 1969 UK 1st press A2/B2 ATLANTIC 588198 WRECK + LEMON SONG VG+

	£		250
	$		331

LED ZEPPELIN - LED ZEPPELIN II

A very nice copy of this very rare 1969 UK 1st pressing rock classic with "Livin' Lovin' Wreck" and "The Lemon Song" label credits and extremely rare blue/green tinged gate fold, on the coveted plum and red Atlantic label 588198

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1  588198  A 2 with stampers "1 2 5" (I think, very difficult to make out!)  

Side 2   588198  B 2 with stampers "1 1 4"

The condition of the vinyl (thick, heavy, and completely flat - lovely!) is excellent minus (EX-), though I am sure that many would grade as excellent. Each side of the vinyl has a beautiful appearance with virtually all of the original lovely jet black lacquered sheen still intact. In normal daylight the condition of both sides of the vinyl come across as near perfect, and it is only with close scrutiny under a bright light (and the vinyl tilted at the right angle) that some wispy hairlines and very light paper scuffs come into view - all very superficial and certainly surface only. Very impressive, especially considering the almost 50 year old antiquity of this original UK 1st press vinyl.

Each label is excellent. All writing remains perfectly defined with no nicks or markings. There are a few faint spindle trails on each label - nothing here to detract from the overall excellent condition of each label with all text remaining perfectly intact including, of course the sought after "THE LEMON SONG" (3rd track, side 1), and "LIVIN' LOVIN' WRECK" (2nd track, side 2) texts which authenticate this as a true earliest 1st pressing.

The iconic non-laminated outer E.J. DAY gatefold sleeve is a solid very good. The top and bottom edges remain well defined but do have sporadic and noticeable scuffing. Similarly for the spine which does remain firm but where some further scuffing also occurs (I have tried to show this in my photos), and the corners also suffer from some rubbing. There is a hint of grubbiness on the front and reverse sides along with just the merest hint of a little ring wear on the reverse side. The front side of the gatefold has a very light blue/green tinge running along part of the upper edge and the bottom half of the spine (see photos). This blue/green tinge (or hue) is unique to the very earliest pressings (even some of the "WRECK" pressings do not have this unique feature). There is no creasing but there is just the hint of some very minor fraying on the reverse side opening edge. The inside of the gatefold is excellent with barely any blemishes and all the original colour vibrancy has been retained. Despite these relatively minor blemishes, which I have tried to show clearly in my photos, this gatefold is still impressive especially considering it's known fragility and age. I don't mind admitting that just holding this very 1st pressing album cover still gives me goose pimples - I remember the day in 1969 that I bought this magical album and, for me, it represents a golden age.

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent. Great tone and clarity with no distortion either at higher volume or on the higher frequencies. You might catch the occasional nano-second of static, and towards the beginning of track 2, side 1 I just noticed a single very low level click which upon very, very close inspection under a bright light revealed a tiny, tiny (pin head) blemish on that track - nothing really, but I mention it just the same. And on "Moby Dick" I noticed x5 very, very light clicks (barely audible) for which I could find no obvious cause - dust in the grooves through decades of storage, perhaps. I can say emphatically that every single track on this great, great album makes for a great listen. Enjoy!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

2. WHAT IS AND WHAT SHOULD NEVER BE

3. THE LEMON SONG 

4. THANK YOU

Side 2 :

1. HEART BREAKER

2. LIVIN' LOVIN' MAID (SHE'S A WOMAN) listed as LIVIN' LOVIN' WRECK on the side 2 label

3. RAMBLE ON

4. MOBY DICK

5. BRING IT ON HOME

Comes with original poly lined  "PLASTIC BAGS CAB BE DANGEROUS" inner sleeve with no tears or splits, just some very mild age discolouration adjacent to the edges and in truly excellent and fully functional condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary an impressive copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after 1969 UK 1st pressing rock masterpiece - a worthy addition to any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by acquiring records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of packing and postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class, signed for : £4.00, 

for continental Europe, international tracked & signed for : £9.00

and for Rest of the World, international tracked & signed for £14.00

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler