Led Zeppelin II A2/B2 Atlantic 58818 UK 1969 Red/Plum Label ('Wreck' credit) 
Not only is this a rare and collectable album in its own right but it is also the most impressive LZII I have ever heard!  And this is a rare 'Wreck' pressing!  The audio is of an immaculate standard and is without question a final upgrade archive press.  Plus a very impressive light brown gatefold!
This of course the highly collectable first pressing of the album on the red/plum label and 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 is so rarely seen in this condition if ever!  It includes the original 'green tinged' E.J Day light brown gatefold which happens to be the 'cleanest' I have ever seen and the original inner which is also in great condition. 
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.
588198 // A /  2 // 1 1  4
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1  8
The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 4 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 Near Mint) 

The gatefold is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
For such a rare pressing the vinyl is in lovely condition and has no scratches at all.  There are a number of faint hairlines but they have no affect on the fantastic quality of the Mint- audio.  S1 is in lovely condition with only one hairline that you would call 'obvious' and there are not too many others.  S2 does have more hairlines but they are purely superficial as the audio is just immaculate.  This shows just how robust vinyl is from this time.  The heavier vinyl stands the test of time incredibly well and for a 'Wreck' pressing it is visually very impressive and there are not too many like this around today.  There is also not very much spindle wear and this is just one reason why it plays as superbly as it does.  The labels are also super clean with no writing/marks as are the run out grooves.
Play grading
With barely any lead in static on S1 you are already thinking this is going to play well!  It does not disappoint!  From the very first note 'Whole Lotta Love' plays as 'clean' as it did when it first saw a turntable in '69 and that is no exaggeration.  There is no 'background' of any kind and this stunning clarity continues.  The depth of the audio is astounding and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  Pure Mint clarity basically.  The instrumental section just has to be heard to be believed!  It is 'as new' and this is on a 'Wreck' pressing!  Still there is no interference and it continues to play 'as new' with even the quiet 'way down inside' vocal having no 'background', how often can that be said?!  I am delighted to say this classic plays with immaculate quality to the very end and the fade out plays with perfect precision.  So as to adhere to Record Collector guidelines I will grade as Mint- but I know Mint when I hear it and this is it!  I just cannot believe how beautifully this track plays, the sonic quality and depth of the bass is so strong.  This is without question the most impressive 'Whole Lotta Love' I have ever heard and I repeat, this is on a rare first 'Wreck' press!
  With almost complete silence in the dead wax the quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' is of the same standard.  I did hear one mega faint 'tick' but most would probably miss it!  The first 'chorus' is impeccable and it continues in the same way.  With so many quiet sections you would expect minimal interference at the very least but that is not the case.  I play every second of every track, sometimes more than twice, and apart from a couple of the quietest dust ticks imaginable this is Mint- audio yet again and once more the extended fade out is unbelievable.  It is so clear and has no static or crackle.
'The Lemon Song' has just a minimal hint of static distortion on the intro but this you will find on any red/plum press.  It then plays with wonderful depth and power and you guessed it, no interference.  The instrumental section is stunning and there is no distortion on the top end.  To think this record is 50 years old in October!  The long bass section is so strong and again not one single click or pop, not even a dust tick!  Wow!  There is perhaps just the lightest of static in the background but it is negligible to be honest and barely audible.  The final guitar solo is awesome and ends the track in stunning style.
Now the real test of any LZII is the final track on the side 'Thank You' as it always has some 'background'.  It begins superbly with barely any of the static that you always hear.  The first vocal has fantastic clarity and it only as the drums 'kick in' that there is a little static on the top end.  From there on it plays very clearly and there is very little of the usual static and again I am astounded by the quality on offer here.  Yes minimal light static here and there but nothing intrusive.  The ultra quiet 'if the sun refused to shine...' section is stunning as it is so often affected by static or crackle but here it plays fantastically well with barely any 'background'.  The instrumental piece leading up to the fade out/in/out section is also highly impressive and has only a minimal hint of non-intrusive static again.  This is mega light I am at pains to say and not crackle and it really is very minor!  The fade out/in/out section then has to be the 'cleanest' I have heard in many a year.  With only a couple of crackle sounds near the end it is nigh on perfect and is easily the best end to this track I have ever heard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the very first groove 'Heart Breaker' has no 'background' and plays with a deep rich sound.  Again the sonic quality and definition could not be improved upon and it continues in exactly the same way.  Rarely have I heard this classic play with such breathtaking clarity and the 'quiet' middle guitar section is 'as new'.  Not one click or pop and no static or crackle either!  The remainder 'rocks out' in sublime fashion and once again there is no distortion.  The bass/drum/guitar instrumental before the final vocal is astounding, it is Mint- without doubt as is the rest of the track!  An incredible start to S2, let's hope it continues!
  'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' I am pleased to say does keep up the standard.  Every note plays with stunning precision and I am confident again in grading this as Mint- as there is no interference whatsoever.  It exudes power and there is no distortion and the clarity could not be any better.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to 'Ramble On' and the intro on this track is just stunning.  There is not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything more.  So as to provide a comprehensive description it is difficult not being repetitive!  This is an spellbinding version the likes of which I have never heard on a 'Wreck' pressing.  It is Mint- and it just goes to show you cannot beat these red/plum pressings for clarity and depth when you find a vinyl that has been as well preserved as this one.  The long fade out plays with perfect precision, just a small number of mega light dust ticks.
'Moby Dick' is another 'high end' listen and needless to say the clarity is 100% immaculate!  The long drum solo is exquisite and I again I cannot believe what I am hearing!  This is audio of an immaculate standard and I cannot remember the last time I heard this solo play as perfectly as this.  It is hypnotic and even a recent reissue would not play as 'cleanly' as this I am certain!  The end section also plays with superb precision and this is yet another Mint- track.
The very quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' has no 'background' and is another stunning listen.  As it continues there is just a minor, very minor hint of light static but it is so much in the background as to be totally non-intrusive again.  This final track always has some distortion on the top end of the 'loud' section, it is unavoidable, but there is very little here and it plays incredibly well.  The power and depth is very impressive.  The quiet end section ends the album with very delicate audio, no clicks or pops and only a minimal touch of mega light static on the final 2/3 seconds.  What an album!
In summary this 'Wreck' A2/B2 pressing is a final upgrade archive 'time warp' classic of that you will not be surprised.  It is the finest LZII I have ever heard which is quite incredible when you think it is a first 'Wreck' pressing and I am not just saying that as part of a 'salesman' technique!  The clarity, depth and power on offer is the most 'complete' I have ever heard and for such a rare near 50 year old record to play as well as this is a mega rarity.   So much of it plays 'as new' and how many 'Wreck' pressings are out there that have no clicks or pops and more or less complete silence in the dead wax between every song?  As can be seen the light brown gatefold is also very impressive as is the original inner.  This album will add to any Near Mint / Mint collection and I would be open to any reasonable offers.
The Gatefold
This is definitely the 'cleanest' light brown E.J. Day gatefold I have seen and of course being an 'original' it has the green tinge on some of the edging.  Collectors are always looking out for this as the 'Wreck' first pressings only came in this particular cover and hopefully the photos do it justice.  It has certainly been incredibly well preserved down the years.
The top edge of the front cover and the bottom edge of the back cover have very little 'rub' wear and remain in superb condition.  The other two edges do have more rubbing but isn't excessive and there are no splits.  The wide spine is in great shape and remains 100% fully legible.  The spine is generally in very poor condition so it is very rare to find one as good as this.  It has only a couple of tiny 'rubs', a small faint creases either side and a little corner wear.  The other right hand corners have only a minor amount of wear.  The opening edge has barely any handling wear and this in part explains the stunning quality of the audio i.e. not often removed from the cover!  The front cover is so clean and has no severe marking or wear that is so often prevalent.  It has only a minimal amount of fading (very minimal!) and one very small pen mark on the white background.  The back cover has also stood the test of time very well and has only a little ringwear and a couple of faint 'white' marks.  Not quite as clean as the front but still very impressive nonetheless.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition and has barely any fading just a little raising of the cover next to the inner spine.  There is no marking of any kind and at first glance it looks 'as new'!
This is a very impressive cover and needless to say they are hardly ever found like this.  Yes there is a little wear but hey it is 50 years old this year and what you can see is only superficial and very minor.  A stunning 'green edged' gatefold and the best I have certainly ever seen.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in wonderful condition for its age and has no splits or tears.  There is just a small amount of creasing and age related fading around the edges.  It has 14/04 9 printed on one side which relates to the original release date.
The Labels
The stunning red/plum labels are in fantastic condition and have lost none of their original colour.  The colours remain strong and vibrant and there is no writing or marking either.  As stated there is only a small amount of spindle wear and quite honestly I have never seen better.  Absolutely superb!
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  4
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1  8

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!