LED ZEPPELIN PHYSICAL GRAFFITI A1/B4/C1/D1 1st PRESS *Stunning* AUDIO NM/MINT-
£
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Description
Led Zeppelin : Physical Graffiti A1/B4/C1/D1 1st UK Press
This first pressing plays to a wonderful standard and the clarity and definition of the audio is outstanding. There is only a couple of seconds of minor interference on S3 but it is no exaggeration to say very nearly all of this classic album is 'as new'. I do not use that term lightly and as always I listen to every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading.
The records are also in beautiful condition and appear to have been barely played. I cannot detect any spindle wear and indeed the visual 'look' and audio quality provide further evidence of this.
The iconic cover is also in superb condition and rarely seen as impressive as this, it really is exceptionally 'clean'. As per all the first and early pressings it has the 'red lettering' on the spine and the 'Swan Song' London address on the back cover. The inner sleeves are also in great condition.
A genuine first pressing has the B4 matrix on S2 and 1 on all the others plus no Warner logo (W) on the labels.
SSK 89400 // A1 / B4 / C1 / D1
The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 3 is Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint-
The audio on S3 is Mint- (Track 4 Near Mint-)
The audio on S4 is Mint- (Track 5 Near Mint)
The cover is Near Mint-
The two page folded insert is Mint-
The custom inners are Mint
The labels are Mint
Visual grading
It doesn't get much better than this! I can confidently say the both records have hardly been played judging by the visual quality alone. There are only a very small number of very faint hairlines that have no affect on the stunning audio and they both an incredible jet-black glossy sheen the likes of which you hardly ever see on a genuine first press. There is just one mega tiny scratch on S3 but is only 2mm long I would say and only causes a couple of seconds of minor interference. As stated there is no spindle wear at all and I suspect each vinyl has only been on a turntable 2,3 times at most. Not sure I've seen these vinyls ever looking so clean! The run out grooves and labels are also in pristine condition. Stunning!
Play grading
'Custard Pie' plays with sublime quality from start to finish, the clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive. A 'high octane' track and yet there is no distortion and the fade out also has no 'background' of any kind. A superb Mint start to the album. The long intro on 'The Rover' has the same strong deep resonance and sounds fantastic! As Plant comes in there is no let up in quality and to the final note there is no interference at all.
The classic 'In My Time Of Dying' has only minimal light static on the quiet intro and then plays with exceptional quality and no clicks or pops. The other quieter sections again play very clearly with only the odd mega light static tick, very quiet and totally non-intrusive. The 'heavier' sections play with incredible definition and it is clear this vinyl has hardly been played. Such a strong bass sound and the power that emanates from the speakers is STUNNING and again no distortion. Even the quiet 'spoken' end section and 'cough' (!) are super 'clean' with not one dust tick! Because of the light static, although minimal, I will grade this as Near Mint but it is fair to say the majority is better than that.
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'Houses Of The Holy' on S2 is 'as new' and Mint is an honest assessment of the sonic quality on offer here. No exaggeration - I play every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading and there is no interference and again the long fade out plays to perfection.
I am pleased to say 'Trampled Under Foot' is just as good. Again there are no clicks, pops or crackle and only a couple of light static ticks on the fade out. Mint-
One track you want to play with superb quality is 'Kashmir' and it does not disappoint! From the first groove it plays to a 'high end' standard with, you guessed it, no interference at all. The clarity and depth of the audio is breathtaking and for a first press B4 side you could not wish to find a better version. I have just played it again and wow what a version! There is no inner groove distortion and once again the long fade out plays with perfect precision. I am confident in grading this as Mint it is a definitive version for sure.
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The 'eastern' intro on 'In The Light' is absolutely stunning! There is no interference and only a handful of barely audible dust ticks. This is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' starts to this track that I have ever heard. The clarity is still there as the vocal begins, just a couple of very minor ticks but wow what a start! As the volume increases the playback is 'as new' and it continues in exactly the same way even during the quieter 'eastern' section. Right to the end it plays as it did when first released 45 years ago! Mint- an easy grade to give :-)
The instrumental 'Bron-Yr-Aur' again has no 'background' and if anything the clarity seems even sharper here. In essence it sounds like it has never been played! Not one solitary dust tick and Mint all the way through.
'Down By The Seaside' is of the same immaculate standard. I won't over elaborate but once more I cannot believe what I am hearing. The clarity and definition of the audio is second to none and Mint is again fair.
The super quiet intro on 'Ten Years Gone' plays perfectly and it is only just prior to the first vocal that there are a couple of very light clicks and 3/4 even quieter ticks. It is very brief and non-intrusive in my opinion. Thereafter it plays so well with only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion which is something you always find with this track. The quieter section near the end plays with stunning precision as does the remainder of the track. I would say this is still worthy of a Near Mint grade.
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The percussive intro on 'Night Flight' has no 'background' and it continues to play without fault. The clarity and depth of the audio is exceptional and this is easily a Mint start to S4.
Another example of a barely played vinyl represents itself on 'The Wanton Song' as the playback is just perfect. All I need to say is....Mint from start to finish.
'Boogie With Stu' has a handful of mega light dust ticks on the intro and then plays 'as new'. I am still happy to grade this as Mint as there is no interference at all. As I often say dust ticks do not count as interference as one, they are so quiet and often barely audible and two, you find them on vinyl pressed this year let alone one from '75!
The 'spoken/aeroplane' intro on 'Black Country Woman' literally has no 'background'. So far the clarity on this side is absolutely stunning! The quality does not diminish in any way and to the very end there is no interference whatsoever. You know the grade by now :-)
'Sick Again' has one tick on the intro and then plays very clearly for a final track. There is often some inner groove distortion but there is very little here and it plays great depth and power. In fact the 'high octane' sections are superb. A very impressive version and a Near Mint finish to this stunning album.
In summary this is unquestionably one of the finest first pressings that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. There is complete silence in the dead wax between every track and that just gives one example of the outstanding clarity on offer here. With only a couple of seconds of minor interference on S3 this is as close to perfect that you will find. The records are so beautifully clean and have clearly been so well preserved down the years - hardly played either. What an album!
The Cover
This is one of the finest examples you will find of this iconic cover today as it has hardly any of the shelf wear that you so often see. It has been very well preserved over the years. The corners are notoriously difficult to keep in good condition but the corners here have next to no wear - they really have only the bare minimum of rubbing. The 'sides' are also in superb order with only very minimal rubbing and the 'red lettering' on the 'spine' can be read perfectly. Each side remains very strong and robust like they have been hardly handled. Both of the top edges are in fantastic condition and have none of the feathering that you often find - another rarity. The 'windows' on both sides are 'as new' with no tears and the front cover is in perfect order with no marking or creasing at all. The back cover is almost as good with just a minimal amount of creasing in each top corner. This is a very impressive cover and hopefully the photos do it justice.
Two Page Folded Insert and Custom Inners
The folded insert with the song titles and credits is practically 'as new' and has none of the spotting/staining that you so often see. The top edges just have a minimal amount of light creasing and I mean very minimal! Most sellers would not even mention as it is so minor.
The two custom inners are pristine with no wear of any kind. They have the code 'SSK 89400/A' for record 1 and 'SSK 89400/B' for record 2.
The Labels
They are all in immaculate condition with no spindle wear, marking or writing. Brand new!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
The records have been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SSK 89400 // A1 / B4 / C1 / D1
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
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