LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B3 1st PRESS PETER GRANT + INVERTED FEATHER SUPERB MINT- WOW
£
909
$
1,204
£ 909
Sold For
Sep 11, 2022
Sold Date
Sep 1, 2022
Start Date
24
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B3 1st Press w/Peter Grant credit & Inverted Feather
This is the Holy Grail of Led Zepp IV pressings in that it is a genuine first press with the Peter Grant credit on both labels and the inverted feather on S2. There is also no Superhype credit on the labels. This particular one is known as Version 1 as it has an A3/B3 matrix, slightly later ones have an A3/B4 matrix. A rare album and especially in this condition!
As detailed below this may well be the most impressive red/plum pressing I have ever seen or heard so when you consider the actual pressing that can only add to its rarity and collectability. I can confidently say the audio is 'as new' with no interference - the sonic quality is phenomenal on both sides. The only 'background' is a couple of minor ticks but there is nothing that intrudes on the audio, the clarity of sound is just stunning. All the tracks play with sublime quality but of course the classic 'Stairway To Heaven' is a real highlight. Not only that but the vinyl is visually stunning and has clearly not been played very often based on the audio and the minimal spindle wear. This is without question a FINAL UPGRADE classic - no other pressing would play with any greater clarity or depth which is just one reason why this first pressing is so collectable.
I sold another one of these 3/4 months ago back but that one had the A3/B4 matrix and this one is just as good if not better. I cannot overstate just how unbelievable the audio is and just how 'clean' and impressive the vinyl is visually. This is one for the real collectors and will not disappoint. A true time warp classic.
It gets better! The iconic cover is also in great condition with only very minimal wear and for once the original paper lyric inner is in excellent shape with no marking and only one small but 'clean' split on the bottom edge.
2401012 A // 3 1 1 7 PECKO DUCK
2401012 B // 3 1 2 2 PORKY
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Ex+
The original inner is Ex
The labels are Near Mint & Ex+
Visual grading
As stated the vinyl is visually stunning so in a sense it not surprising the vinyl plays as well as it does. It has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks, scratches or groove wear and is easily one of the finest Led Zepp IVs I have ever seen and is, as if you need reminding a version 1 first press! All I can detect under a strong light are a small number of very faint hairlines that obviously have no impact on the audio. The run out grooves are pristine and the red/plum labels have very much retained their original deep colour and have only very minimal spindle wear. The only 'negative' is two small spots/marks on the white section of the S2 label which perhaps could be removed although I will not attempt this myself. However, it is only a minor flaw and there are no other marks. Overall this is a stunning example of this rare vinyl.
Play grading
The sounds at the beginning of 'Black Dog', which Page said is him warming up his guitar, play with stunning clarity and Plant's opening vocal has no 'background' either. It continues to play 'as new' with no interference. The sonic quality could not be any more impressive - there are no ticks, clicks or pops and even the brief 'quieter' moments have no background static. The audio has such depth and power and Page's solo towards the end is a prime example of that, I have honestly never heard better! The playback is so 'clean' and dynamic and there is no distortion on the top end. The fade out has no 'background' and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint such is the quality. This truly is a STUNNING version and provides the perfect start to this rare album.
'Rock And Roll' keeps up this exemplary standard and plays with imperious quality throughout. Bonham's intro is faultless and every section then plays with a clarity and power that defies the age of the album. I cannot emphasise just how unbelievably strong the audio is here! Each note is so sharp and precise and that is very obvious during the piano sections on the final third. So often the piano is lost in the mix but not here! There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and again there is no distortion. The definitive version with no interference, just pure Mint audio from start to finish.
The quiet build up intro on 'The Battle Of Evermore' plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks and what you hear is just the music, nothing else, the clarity is sensational. The opening vocal plays with perfect clarity and it continues in the same way with no 'background' of any kind. The audio is so 'clean' for a relatively quiet track and I have certainly never heard a more 'complete' version. Jones' of course played the mandolin here and the clarity on each and every not is 'crystal clear' and that includes the fade out. I have not heard many Mint versions of this track but we undoubtedly have one here.
The iconic intro on the classic 'Stairway To Heaven' plays with STUNNING precision and no 'background'. The clarity during this acoustic section is incredible - a couple of barely audible dust ticks just prior to the vocal but in essence this is the perfect start to this perennial classic. This is easily one of the finest intros I have ever heard and to think it is on a genuine first pressing. The first verse is of the same 'high end' standard with just one mega light tick at the end, totally non-intrusive. The second verse does indeed play with perfect clarity and the 'It makes me wonder' section is just as impressive. The following two verses continue in the same precise way and as Bonham comes in the audio definition is exceptional. There is just nothing that gets in the way of the 'listen' and the fifth and sixth verses also play with sublime clarity and depth. I'm pinching myself here as I cannot really believe what I am hearing! Page's 'strumming' section has barely any of the distortion that you so often find and his solo then plays with a outstanding power and clarity. The 'high octane' section is as strong and dynamic as you could wish for with no interference and no distortion which is a genuine rarity. The final quiet vocal plays beautifully with only a couple of light ticks but no underlying static. I will grade as Mint- although I am sure many would say the minus is not required. The sonic quality is exceptional and it is clear this side has hardly ever been played. What a version and what a side!
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'Misty Mountain Hop' plays with great clarity from the very first note and the standard does not drop as you progress. The power and depth of the audio cannot be faulted and Plant's often high octane vocal is again so strong and clear. It's easy to forget this vinyl is over 50 years old when you hear sonic quality such as this! There are no negatives and again every section is 'as new' with literally no interference and that includes the fade out. A Mint start to the side.
I am trying hard not to repeat myself but it is proving difficult! 'Four Sticks' plays with sublime definition and, I have to say it (!) there is NO interference. The 'keyboard' sections have such depth and power and 'as new' is again a correct description. The long fade out has a couple of very light ticks but that hardly qualifies as interference, this is vinyl! Let's say Mint-
The intro on 'Going To California' has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and you can easily hear Plant's first breath! His opening vocal is perfect and it continues in the same way. The only other 'quiet' track on the album and yet the clarity is superb with no ticks, clicks, pops or static. As per all the other tracks there is nothing detracts from the audio and Mint is again very much deserved. And yes another perfect fade out!
The percussive intro on 'When The Levee Breaks' could not play any better and the rest of this opening section is just as clean and strong. Another STUNNING start! Plant's opening vocal is flawless and and the more you get into this classic the more you are impressed by the audio. So often it is affected by sound issues namely inner groove distortion but that is not the case here and for once you can turn it up to max without having to turn it down immediately! The playback is so 'fresh', the power so impressive and if there is any distortion it is so minimal and 100% non-intrusive. This is one of the finest versions I have ever encountered whereby every section plays with great quality and precision, I cannot praise it highly enough. The final 'quiet' coda ends this classic with...no 'background'. A stunning Mint- finish to the album.
In summary this version 1 first pressing plays with a sonic quality that is second to none. I obviously know it will rightly command a lot of interest so it is not in my interests to 'over-grade'. I pride myself on my descriptions and no exaggeration this is one of the finest red/plum Led Zepp IVs I have ever heard, it may even be top of the tree! There are no clicks or pops and no underlying static either. A couple of light ticks that is the extent of it and this is unequivocally a FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic. This was clearly purchased and owned as a collectors' piece and has hardly been played over the years and the STUNNING visual quality and the minimal spindle wear more than confirms that. The clarity, definition and warmth of the audio on both sides is 'as new' and I am confident any Lez Zepp collector will agree with my assessment. It is very difficult to find a Near Mint / Mint red/plum press these days let alone a genuine first press with the Peter Grant credit and the inverted feather on S2, close to impossible I would say! I am however delighted to say we have one here, an immaculate Version 1 first press in every regard.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The iconic cover is lovely condition with only minimal shelf wear. It is of course notoriously flimsy but this one has retained its original shape and structure extremely well and has clearly not been handled very much. The edges have very little rubbing, nothing obvious at all, and the spine is in great shape with only one minor 'rub'. All of the corners are super clean with barely any wear and the opening edge is also in great order with only 2/3 very minor 'crimps'. The front cover is in fantastic condition with no marking or creasing and the back cover is very similar with only a couple of very faint fingerprint type marks. The inside of the gatefold is unmarked and remains in immaculate condition and the inner spine has no damage either. A fine example overall.
The original inner is definitely one of the best I have seen in a long time. How often do they have a number of unsightly splits? This one just has one clean 8cm split on the bottom edge and one tiny rub on one side. The flipbacks are super clean and are still firmly attached to the sleeve and there are no marks or creases on either side. This has to be graded as Ex even with the split and I am sure many would grade higher!
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
2401012 A // 3 1 1 7 PECKO DUCK
2401012 B // 3 1 2 2 PORKY
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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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
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