LED ZEPPELIN IV 4, 1971 UK PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC

	£		119
	$		158

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is a superb example of the iconic fourth studio album by LED ZEPPELIN simply titled “LED ZEPPELIN IV”, Catalogue Number 2401012. This is a 1971 UK 1st PRESSING on the PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC RECORD LABEL, with a beautiful 1st issue matt finish gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue grey card lyric/credits inner sleeve. 

The copy for sale here is a genuine 1st pressing with the earliest design labels which differ from the usual plum & orange labels in several respects. The main differences are that they have “Executive Producer: Peter Grant” text and no “Superhype Music Inc.” credits. The “LED ZEPPELIN” text is at the bottom of the labels rather than the top, and there is no “Under licence from Atlantic Recording Corpn.” text inside the white band. The vinyl matrix numbers are the earliest A//3, B//3 and “PECKO DUCK” and “PORKY” are etched in the run-outs of Sides One and Two respectively.

The matt finish gatefold sleeve is in EX+ condition with only very light wear and barely any creasing. The front and back covers are clean and bright and free from any significant age discoloration. The opening gatefold spread is pristine. The spine is perfect with only minimal rubbing at the ends. You can see from the photos that this is an exceptional 1st issue sleeve which should please even the most discerning collector. I think that it will be almost impossible to find a better one.

The top quality Atlantic record is fairly solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and the playing surfaces are beautifully clean. 

The full Matrix Numbers and stampers are:

Side One – 2401012 ##  A//3   1  1   3  PECKO DUCK

Side Two – 2401012  B//3   1  1   3   PORKY

Visually I would grade the record as being in somewhere between VG and EX condition, as there are some light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not cause any significant audio problems whatsoever. The beautiful plum & orange Atlantic labels are unmarked with only a few spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality Atlantic 1st pressing which plays with outstanding sound quality. The stereo playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant and the bass in particular is very impressive. Both sides play to a very high standard. There is barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. Please don’t be put off by my visual grading – the record really does play superbly. I think that it will be very difficult to find a better-playing true 1st pressed copy of this essential album.

The correct 1st issue soft grey card lyric/credits inner sleeve is in unmarked EX+ condition (just a tiny nick to one opening edge).

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs