LED ZEPPELIN III (3) - 1st PRESS PLUM LABEL - A5/B5

	£		39
	$		52

LED ZEPPELIN III

Label: ATLANTIC  

Cat No: 2401002

1970

EARLIEST Ist U.K. PRESSING

Hand Etched Matrix No's:

Etched :   2401002  A - 5    "Do what thou wilt"  

Etched:   2401002  B - 5    "So mote it be" 

Signatures:  both side have small initials etched which are not possible to reproduce with a "qwerty" keyboard.

Very Early Mother Stampers:             11    2   &    11   7

           RARE 1st U.K. Pressing The heavy vinyl is in lovely condition, with a rich glossy shine, and only a few very light surface marks, which in no way affect the play. This album has been carefully stored and un-played for nearly 30 years, prior to it being played today for listing. The record plays superbly with excellent sound clarity and with occasional audible pops/clicks. The 1st Press E. J. Day & Co. Gloss Gatefold Cover, made and printed in U.K., is near excellent condition with virtually no spine wear and the minimum of light storage wear. The fully functioning wheel is excellent. The inner gatefold is excellent, with the slight distraction of my name being written there.  This is a very early or earliest original UK pressing of Led Zeppelin III and totally complete. This early pressing shows Peter Grant credits on both sides of the labels (only found on the earliest plum/red Atlantic label pressings), and hand etched matrices on both sides. The sound reproduction is absolutely superb on every track with sound separation and full deep bass that  can only be achieved from vinyl and in this case from the earliest pressings. The album is totally complete with the original Atlantic poly sleeve and 1st issue E. J. Day & Co. laminated gatefold with fully functional wheel, made and printed in England.  The Vinyl On visual inspection, the vinyl looks good and still retains its shiny glossy sheen. This is the original heavier thicker type of vinyl with deeper grooves only found on these original 1st pressings. They are also more robust than later pressings which were more flexible. There are a few surface marks visible and these do not affect the smooth playing, no jumps or skips.  The Sound Reproduction I have played the record all the through, and at very loud volume, on two separate systems, slaved through two bass amplifier (sorry, neighbours!). The sound separation is magnificent and the penetrating bass feel on vinyl will never be matched by CD. This plays with NO signs of any distortion and has never been over-played. Prior to listing the record for sale, I have not played the record since 1982.  There is the evidence of low level static, the occasional surface click/pop in quiet places and in the run-in-out grooves and between some of the tracks. Any surface noise or static is not consistent throughout the superb sound reproduction; absolutely nothing to spoil the overall quality. Being a musician, I am highly critical of sound and pushing past the odd click/pop, I thought the overall quality was near excellent. This has been played on analogue and digital systems at very loud volumes. If you view my sold listings of records you will see that I normally get it my descriptions correct.  Sound reproduction is near excellent with superb sound separation throughout and vibrancy only heard like this on the earliest pressings. This has been carefully stored for nearly 30 years. I have cleaned the record but it would benefit from a further, continued cleaning to keep down and reduce any static and to retain the sound quality. This is a genuine 1st pressing, over 40 year old vinyl, given to me by Robert Plant, over 40 years ago. Matrix Numbers: Side One:         2401002 A-5 (Hand etched) ''Do what thou wilt'' (Hand etched in the run-off dead wax and ONLY SHOWN ON 1ST PRESS)  Side Two:        2401002 B-5 (Hand etched) ''So mote it be'' (Hand etched in the run-off dead wax and ONLY SHOWN ON 1ST PRESS)  The Labels These are the original Plum\red Atlantic labels (1st press ONLY) and show ''Under licence from the Atlantic Record Corpn. U.S.A.'' across the labels, above the white stripe. The catalogue number is continual wth no gap in the digits. It has Peter Grant credits on both sides (1st press ONLY). The labels have ''Made in Gt. Britain'' printed in the red sector above the white band(UK press ONLY) credits for "Warner Bros" printed in the plum sector below the track title listings. Minimal spidering, I have, obviously, played this record, but definitely never overplayed it. There is little if no spindle ware (The hole is perfectly round). The Cover This is the original 1st press laminated E. J. Day & co printed gatefold cover with fully functioning wheel. Very, very hard to find original in this condition! THIS IS THE ORIGINAL UK PRINTED GATEFOLD and with the 1st Press catalogue number on the spine.  (1st press covers ONLY)   This is strong and straight as it should be and only minimal marks. The wheel is solid and fully functional. There light ageing of the white background but only around the edges only and light laminate creases at the front from a manufacturing fault (often seen on these early covers) but hardly any other marks, and the odd minor laminate crease lines on the back.  The inner gatefold is superb; the only detraction is that I have written my name on the left hand gatefold.  Overall, there is very little sign of storage wear.  Any record cover is very hard to find in this condition after over 40 years and I would grade the cover, at the very least, excellent. The Record Sleeve This is the original poly lined Atlantic sleeve with only one small tear in the polythene window on the back and with light creasing/staining with age!                Robert Plant's first public appearance As mentioned in "Thunder of Drums", Robert Plant's first public performance was in 1963 at the Trocadero, in Leicester, where he filled in for Andy Long, with The Original Jurymen, a local band managed by Bob Willetts. I can well and truly confirm this, I was there! I was the bass player with the band, and we were all at the time, including Rob, 14 & 15 year old students at King Edward VI Grammar School, Stourbridge. Rob had travelled with us to many of our gigs and knew the songs backwards. He also played a mean "blues harp". Our stage suits were red with black velvet collars, therefore, for Rob, being six feet plus and Andy being five feet seven, to wear Andy's red suit was going to make him look look a bit strange. So, he dressed in his black drape coat, tight black drainpipe trousers, and his black suede brothel creeper shoes, not to mention his blonde, teddy boy, quiffe!! (this was his normal attire after school!!!). Now, remember, Rob stepped in at very short notice, and with virtually no rehearsal, but once on stage he brought the place down with his vocal renditions, presence, stage movements and tremendous harmonica playing. We've been friends since 1959, he's never changed......

Robert Plant was a natural performer, already a true professional !!!

Born A Rock Legend !!!

DETAILS SUMMARY

ARTIST

Led Zeppelin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALBUM TITLE

Led Zeppelin III

SONG TITLES

Title No

Side 1

Side 2

Track (1)

Immigrant Song

Gallows Pole

Track (2)

Friends

Tangerine

Track (3)

Celebration Day

That's The Way

Track (4)

Since I've Been Loving You

Bron-Y-Aur

Track (5)

Out On The Tiles

Hats Off To (Roy) Harper

 

 

 

FORMAT

Stereo

12"

33rpm

LP

LABEL

Atlantic

COUNTRY

UK

YEAR

1970

CAT NO

2401002

 

Each record is described and graded with great care and to the best of my ability. This record has been played all the way through.

 

 

RECORD VINYL

CONDITION AND GRADING

Side A

Grading

Very Good Plus, Near Excellent.

Matrix Nos

On Run Out Area.   Etched :   2401002  A - 5    "Do what thou wilt"       11   2      (There are also small initials etched which are not possible to reproduce with a "qwerty" keyboard)

Marks

Light surface marks. Do not affect play.

Sound

Light surface noise on run-in/run-out, in quiet passages, otherwise excellent clear sound 

Music Genre

Hard Rock

Side B

Grading

Very Good Plus, Near Excellent.

Matrix Nos

On Run Out Area.   Etched:   2401002  B - 5    "So mote it be"       11  7      (There are also small initials etched which are not possible to reproduce with a "qwerty" keyboard)

Marks

Light surface marks. Do not affect play.

Sound

Light surface noise on run-in/run-out, in quiet passages, otherwise excellent clear sound 

Music Genre

Hard Rock

 

THE VINYL RETAINS A HEALTHY SHINE AND THE SOUND IS EXCELLENT 

 

LABEL

Side A

Grading

Excellent. Red/ Plum. No dash in catalogue number 

Marks

Name written in biro, otherwise very clean

Side B

Grading

Excellent. Red/ Plum. No dash in catalogue number 

Marks

None. Very clean

 

 

THE RED AND PLUM LABELS ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BOTH MAJOR COLOURS ARE VIBRANT, AND THE WHITE BAND IS BRIGHT. THE BLACK TEXT IS NEAR PERFECT. THERE IS A LIGHT INDENTATION BY THE SPINDLE HOLE ON SIDE ONE, WHICH LOOKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN THERE FROM FIRST MANUFACTURE. THE FACT THAT I HAVE WRITTEN MY NAME ON THE LABEL OF SIDE ONE, SLIGHTLY DETRACTS.

 

See Record Grading Below.                           (Guided by Record Collectors Grading System)

COVER SLEEVE

Front

Grading

Gatefold Cover. Very Good Plus, near excellent. Fully working wheel.

Marks

Very minor wear on corners. Very light ageing/storage marks.

Spine

Grading

Very Good Plus, near excellent.

Marks

Very minor creases

Inner Gatefold

Grading

Very Good Plus, near excellent.

Marks

Very minor creases

Back

Grading

Gatefold Cover. Very Good Plus, near excellent. Fully working wheel.

Marks

Very minor wear on corners. Very light ageing/storage marks. Name in biro on the inside.

 

 

THE GATEFOLD COVER IS IN NEAR EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH STORAGE AND VERY LIGHT AGE MARKS. THE WHEEL IS IN SUPERB WORKING ORDER. THE INNER GATEFOLD IS EXCELLENT, THE FACT THAT I HAVE WRITTEN MY NAME INSIDE, SLIGHTLY DETRACTS.

 

 

PROTECTOR SLEEVE

 

Grading

Very Good Plus

 

Marks

Very minor creasing and slight ageing discolouration in a few places.

REMARKS

E.J.Day & Co. credit on Cover Sleeve. Peter Grant shown as Executive Producer on Record Label & Cover Sleeve. 

DELIVERY

 Post and Packing :

U.K.

£3.65

(N.B. Insurance can be added at an additional charge)

Europe

£4.95

(N.B. Insurance can be added at an additional charge)

USA/Canada

£7.95

(N.B. Insurance can be added at an additional charge)

Australia/New Zealand

£7.95

(N.B. Insurance can be added at an additional charge)

Japan

£7.95

(N.B. Insurance can be added at an additional charge)

Other Countries

Please request prices

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REFUND POLICY

Full refund if you are not satisfied with the item as described above (see Ts & Cs)

PAYMENT DETAILS

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AUCTION

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Record Grading (references from Record Collectors Grading System)                     MINT The record itself is in brand new condition, with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. Records described as unplayed or sealed are mint.               EXCELLENT The record has slight marks, and has perhaps been played very little. There should however be very little lessening in the quality of the sound.               VERY GOOD PLUS Difficult to extend to Excellent, as opinions may vary. The record, again, has slight marks, and has perhaps been played several times. There should however be very little lessening in the quality of the sound.      VERY GOOD The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratches.               GOOD The record has obviously been played many times. The record is still clean but the sound quality may be affected in quiet passages, but only slightly.               FAIR The record has obviously been played very many times. The record is still fairly clean and playable but due to lack of care displays considerable surface noise. It may even have a slight warp. On some turntables it may possibly jump.               POOR The record will not play properley due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. It may even have a slight warp.               BAD The record is unplayable and might even be warped or broken and is only of use as a collection item.               Sleeve / Inserts Grading                         MINT The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition.               EXCELLENT The cover might have slight wear marks, the odd small scuffing, and creasing, but no handwriting, splits or tears.               VERY GOOD PLUS The cover has obvious signs of wear with some creasing, marks, scuffing. Not quite as good as excellent.               VERY GOOD Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects. Still collectable               GOOD The cover and contents show signs of wear from folding, creasing, marks, scuffing, spine splits and some discolouration, etc. Still collectable.               FAIR The cover and contents will be torn, stained and defaced. Possibly still collectable.               POOR The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.