LED ZEPPELIN II A2/B2 1st PRESS 'Livin' Lovin' WRECK' UK Red/Plum VG+/EX
£
131
$
174
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Description
Led Zeppelin II A2/B2 Atlantic 58818 UK 1969 Red/Plum Label ('Wreck' credit)
This very rare and highly collectable first pressing on the red/plum label has the incorrect 'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' credit on the label as well as the 'The Lemon Song' credit of course. This is one of the most collectable Led Zeppelin albums today and it also includes the original E.J Day light brown gatefold.
As per the first pressings it has the 'Copyright Control' publishing credits rather than the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' which is on the later pressings. The matrix numbers also confirm this to be one of the very first off the 'production line'.
588198 // A / 2 // 1 1 3
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1
The audio on S1 is VG+ (Ex/Ex+ in some sections / track one intro is VG-)
The audio on S2 is Ex (some sections Ex+ / the final two tracks are VG+ & VG)
The gatefold cover is VG++
The labels are Ex+
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
For the most part this rare vinyl is visually in excellent condition. There are a number of fine hairlines on both sides with a couple of more obvious ones on S1 but there are no feelable scratches. S2 in fact is very clean and has no obvious markings at all. There is a fair amount of spindle wear but the labels remain in excellent condition with no marking or writing. The run out grooves are also extremely clean.
Play grading
There is only a little lead in static on S1 and the classic 'Whole Lotta Love' plays very well in the main but with a small number of faint clicks and a couple of skips on the intro. This is a shame as the music actually plays very clearly with no other interference. The instrumental section is a prime example of this as it performs with stunning depth and power and barely any 'background'. There are a few clicks during the one quiet section but the guitar riffs play with great precision and no distortion on the top end whatsoever.
The quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' plays very clearly with only light static and there are no intrusive clicks or pops. The remainder of the track has a little crackle in a couple of the quieter sections but for the vast majority this track is an excellent listen with no real intrusive interference.
'The Lemon Song' has a little crackle in the background here and there but it remains an excellent listen nonetheless. It is not particularly intrusive and there are no loud clicks or pops. The long bass section has a little crackle but for its age and rarity it plays very well and with excellent clarity.
'Thank You' again has some crackle in the background but it is not 'up front' and still plays with very good audio. As any Led Zepp aficionado will confirm this track always plays with some distortion on the first/early pressings and whilst there is some here it does not generally interfere with the audio. The quiet section towards the end plays with excellent audio and with not that much 'background'. A common pressing 'problem' is the interference on the two fade outs but here there is not a great deal and it remains an excellent listen.
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'Heart Breaker' on S2 has a little 'background' on the intro and then plays with very impressive audio throughout. The power and depth of this track is superb and even the 'quiet' middle section has only one second of crackle. From thereon the power is just immense and 'rocks out' in superb fashion.
'Livin' Lovin' Wreck/Maid' plays much in the same way with wonderfully dynamic audio. A little distortion on the 'top end' perhaps but nothing that get in the way of what is a high quality listen. With minimal static there are no clicks or pops.
The quiet intro on 'Ramble On' has only one faint click and minimal static and then proceeds to play with great clarity and hardly any 'background'. This really is a superb version of this track and just goes to show you cannot beat these red/plum pressings for depth and clarity if they have been well preserved. The long fade out does have some sporadic light crackle and there a couple of pops in the dead wax prior to the next track.
'Moby Dick' begins superbly but does have one pop and a little crackle during the drum solo. There are no skips or jumps and the crackle certainly isn't loud and it remains a perfectly good listen, it just isn't quite up to the same standard as the rest of the side. Believe me I have heard far worse on later pressings and considering this is a rare 'Wreck' pressing it still has many sections that play very clearly and with extremely clear audio.
The long quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' does have some crackle here and there but again there are no jumps or pops. The music still plays very clearly but yes there is some 'background'. Once the guitar 'kicks in' there is some distortion on the top end and which could be deemed as a little intrusive. The quiet ending also plays with some crackle.
In summary this rare album with the incorrect 'Wreck' credit plays with very good to excellent audio. Yes there is some crackle/clicks here and there and a couple of skips on the first track but there are many sections that play with extremely clear audio and there are definitely no sections you would avoid. I recently sold a stunning 'Wreck' pressing for over £650 and whilst I don't expect to make that on this album it will no doubt command a certain amount of interest due to its rarity.
Gatefold cover
The very rare light brown E.J. Day gatefold has generally stood the test of time very well and as can be seen the spine is still 100% legible which is something of a rarity. The edges and corners do have some shelf wear as you would expect but the opening edge has very little handling wear. The front cover is one of the cleanest light brown covers I have ever seen and has no obvious markings at all and the inside is in lovely condition with only a minor amount of fading along the top edge. The back cover is also in excellent shape with only some ringwear and white 'spotting' here and there. I would grade this as a strong VG++ as there is some shelf wear but it is certainly better than so many you see.
Inner sleeve
The poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in excellent condition although I don't believe it to be the original. There are no splits and very little creasing.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in great condition with no marking or writing. There is quite a lot of spindle wear but is mainly centred around the spindle hole.
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
588198 // A / 2 // 1 1 3
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1
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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