LED ZEPPELIN Physical Graffiti Rare variant 2 1975 UK first issue 15-track

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Terms & Conditions you will find below at the bottom of my listing and unless I have mis-written them I believe they are quite clear. If they are not or you wish to clarify anything then please message/email me before bidding.

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I’m not here to have an open debate or argument with anyone in the Ebay community,
whether they be a professional or amateur seller or collector but over my collecting years there is always an element of surface or background noise/sound with audio reproduction on vinyl reproduction new & old.
Grading records is one of the most controversial areas of collecting / buying second-hand vinyl records, with differing opinions as to what constitutes the condition of the LP/single being sold.
All used vinyl have at least light marks and surface scratches which are always visible when viewed under a bright light, ( in my opinion a scratch is one that can be actually felt and not a mark caused by the LP-LP's being taken out to be played ) my advice would be to stick to CD if you are after total blackout silence or are after glass like perfection. Myself I believe surface noise adds to an emotional experience of reality which can not be matched by CD only my opinion

All the records (LP’s and 7 inch singles) that I intend to put onto Ebay for sale are 2nd hand either my own or have been given to me and have in many cases been played, some more than others. But I will always highlight this fact when grading, if the vinyl has surface marks or other defects these will be pointed out also.

I don’t have time to play grade every single item, and all my grading is done by purely visual means, so please view my feedback and you will see that I try to give the best account on the condition of any item I put up for auction, please bare this in mind when bidding. I will though if necessary play LP’s, and singles that are very collectable to get a better insight to the playing
condition of the item being sold for auction where time allows.

I will never play/sound grade coloured vinyl or picture discs, they were made as limited edition collector's items only and the vinyl used to do this was of a lower quality. They will more likely have crackle and pop with background noise. They were made only to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, rather than have audiophile sound quality.
Now I accept that the above may differ from any winning bidders perception of what I have graded. I cannot always vouch for whether every record plays all the way through in total black silence with no noise. If you have any doubts then please email me or again just view my feedback.

All items are packed and dispatched in reinforced heavy duty LP mailers with cardboard reinforcements. I use heavy duty packaging tape. I always separate the LP from the sleeve and any inner sleeves that are part of the LP. This stops any damage to the sleeve while in transit.

LED ZEPPELIN: Physical Graffiti Rare and hard to find variant 2 1975 UK first issue 15-track double vinyl LP, without the Warner logo to the perimeter label text, wonderful die-cut picture sleeve with card inners & card track listing insert SSK89400
This first UK pressing can be distinguished from later pressings by the fact that there are no Warner Brothers logos on the sleeve or label.
The track listing insert & inners are thick card, not paper.
The inners are marked SSK89400/A & SSK89400/B.
The insert has 'Sleeve printed and made in England by Gothic Print Finishers' and the '484 Kings Road' address, which also appears on the back of the sleeve.

This was one of the band's most diverse & challenging records, featuring household classics like Kashmir & Trampled Underfoot & lesser played gems such as The Rover, Sick Again & The Wanton Song.
Given four sides to play with, this really does sum up what Led Zeppelin were about & showcases a band on top of their game, shortly to take the stage in the legendary run of shows at Earl's Court in London.

Notes
First pressing has labels without Warner logo (W) on rim text and vinyl matrix ending with 1/4/1/1.

A very few copies comes with a top rounded black sticker with titles track and "TWO RECORD SET SSK 89400"

The original die-cut "windows" cover has "SWAN SONG/484 KINGS ROAD, LONDON SW10" address at the top on back.
The set contains two custom inners with code "SSK 89400/A" for disc 1 and "SSK 89400/B" for disc 2 on bottom right back corner, plus a 2-page folded insert that has songs titles, credits, and text "Sleeve printed and made in England by Gothic Print Finishers Ltd., London SE9 2EQ".

Original cover & inners are smooth on the outside and textured/rough on the inside.

However, the Insert has 3 different types - all used throughout the 1st Pressing run:-

1) First Insert - Satin finish to front and back, thick in quality, with a SINGLE fold to the bottom as in the detailed photo (not to be confused with the later re-issue inserts from the late 70s which are shiny, very thin, and have 2 folds). This is the rarest insert type, and existed on the first few copies only - as identified by the different shines to the colours under light (current to the printing processes available in 1975), satin finish and SINGLE fold. Only found on the 1st Press 1/4/1/1 copies.

2) This was then changed to the insert with the cardboard back (to match the cover & inners), but again has a SINGLE fold. Again like the above this quite rare. Again only found on the 1st Press 1/4/1/1 copies.

3) Lastly the most common insert found in most 1st Press copies - is the insert with the white front and cardboard back with TWO folds at the bottom. The above two rarest inserts with a single fold, did not fit properly around the inners & records inside the cover, and so TWO folds (like a cover spine) were made on each insert at the bottom. This therefore solved the problem, and therefore wrapped around the records & inners inside the cover properly.

Matrix / Runout (Runout A, stamped, variant 2): SSK-89400-A1
Matrix / Runout (Runout B, stamped, variant 2): SSK-89400-B5
Matrix / Runout (Runout C, stamped, variant 2): SSK-89400-C1
Matrix / Runout (Runout D, stamped, variant 2): SSK-89400-D1

PLAY GRADED: Equipment used to test this LP was my Townsend Rock turntable, Linn Ittok modified arm and Clearaudio Sigma cartridge. Lavadin IS amp with Trilogy 906 phono stage. Speakers are Impluse H6's.

The LP played through with very light minimal surface noise to all lead-in tracks and in-between tracks, there were 2 pops to side 1 track 1 Custard Pie this was due to a very minor flaw in the vinyl ( view 2nd from last picture ) with no other pops heard other than this, there were no skips, jumps or any other horrible defects. The noise floor overall when listening was non existent when all tracks had played. The LP revealed no distortion and had clarity and depth with crystal sound quality. The sound was clean with good stereo separation. If I was marking this out of 10 for sound quality alone I would easily give it 8 out of 10. Awesome sound quality.

Please note that this is a used item and there is always isolated static, ticks, light pops that maybe or can be heard, even in the quieter places during the play of any vinyl. There will be elements of surface noise. More noise than others. Please remember that this is an original 45 year old vinyl. A habit of cleaning the vinyl with a carbon brush before each play will reduce any static. If possible you should have the LP occasionally professionally cleaned.
(I cannot guarantee exactly how this LP will sound on your turntable/system - Cartridge and stylus profile, tracking weight, Arm VTA, arm type all go to make a difference to the sound of an LP. My observation and hearing are based on my setup when play graded. Please use an amount of common sense... but then this is ebay!!!)

THE COVER: The die-cut cover shows very light minimal wear to the bottom and sides. The all three remains intact with very clear readable text but also has very light minimal creasing. There is virtually no scuffing to the surface evident when stored. All the die-cut windows remain clean and crisp with no damage. All the corners exhibit only very light wear with no major splits. The top opening edge has very light feathering and minimal creasing otherwise there are no signs of any other forms of damage.. I have graded the cover in EXCELLENT++ condition.

THE BACK COVER: The die-cut back cover remains in the same condition as the front. I have graded the back cover again in EXCELLENT++ condition.

THE INNER SLEEVE: Both illustrated inner sleeves reveal splits and wear to the one side only but are still in amazing condition. I still have graded both in EXCELLENT condition.
"SSK 89400/A" for disc 1 and "SSK 89400/B" for disc 2 on bottom right back corner

The white variant 2 insert with mono window images has been graded in EXCELLENT++ condition

THE VINYL: All sides of this double vinyl LP still retain a deep luxurious shine. There are no deep scratches which can be felt, there are numerous hairline and surface marks to all sides when held under a strong light. I have graded the vinyl in EXCELLENT+ condition.
Side 1 in EXCELLENT+ condition. Side 2 in EXCELLENT+ condition. Side 3 in EXCELLENT+ condition. Side 4 in EXCELLENT+ condition.

THE LABELS: The labels are in EXCELLENT++ condition showing very light spindle marks and very light wear around the central spindle hole. This double LP appears to have had light play.

THE MATRIX NUMBERS:The matrix numbers in the run out groove are
Side 1: SSK89400-A1 Side 2: SSK89400-B5 Side 3: SSK89400-C1 Side 4: SSK89400-D1

TRACK LISTING
01. Custard Pie
02. The Rover
03. In My Time Of Dying
04. Houses Of The Holy
05. Trampled Underfoot
06. Kashmir
07. In The Light
08. Bron-Yr-Aur
09. Down By The Seaside
10. Ten Years Gone
11. Night Flight
12. The Wanton Song
13. Boogie With Stu
14. Black Country Woman
15. Sick Again

Year of Release: 1975 - 45 years old
Artist: LED ZEPPELIN
Title: Physical Graffiti
Format: Double LP
Record Label: Swan Song
Catalogue No: SSK89400
Additional info: Deleted
Country of Origin: Original UK Pressing


PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: If for any reason you disagree with my grading or reasoning then please email me through the ebay message system and lets resolve the matter as adults before leaving negative feedback. Everybody on here believes they are an expert well we are not, we are human and can sometimes get things wrong. If I have got it so wrong I will work with you to resolve it. I can not be any fairer than that, but please check my feedback you will see I do not get it wrong that often, I try very hard to give an accurate description, apart from the one member who left negative because I would not be subjected to feedback hostaging.
Please note all International buyers you are responsible for any custom charges incurred.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
If you have any questions regarding the item being place for auction then please e-mail me before placing any bids. This really helps for a good relationship in the auction.
RETURNS
I fully guarantee that I have given the best description to any item I put onto Ebay for auction - these are used records which have been visually graded without play graded ( unless indicated ) as such I will not accept any returns because your not happy. I will not accept the return of visually graded records which are based upon the buyer's assessment of the record's play grade, I will not accept any returns under any condition.
Please view my opening statement in regard to records condition.

Your bid is binding, so please make sure you have READ and UNDERSTAND my conditions before you bid.
I will not accept returns where the buyer has not read or not understood something which is stated/shown in the listing.
If an International buyer returns an item it’s very important that you mark return on the customs form because if you do not and I get a letter with a import charge on it I will not pay. This is a return and the LP will simply get sent back to you as Returned Goods are not charged for by UK Customs
Should you wish to return a LP as set out in Ebay policies the buyer is responsible for return postage, this means I pay one way, you the buyer will have to pay the other way.
RETURNS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR INCOMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS.

All LPs won by International buyers will be sent International Signed For there are NO EXCEPTIONS to this, also if you are from Russia it seems items are taking 8-12 weeks to be delivered, I will post as soon as payment is received and will enter tracking on the order page for you to view, once that's done its down to the Russian postal service to deliver it. There is nothing more I can do. If your impatient and cannot wait without opening a dispute when you can clearly see its on its way to you on the tracking, then please by all means buy off another seller..

POSTAGE:
Delivery to a UK address will be sent First Class Recorded Delivery only.
Delivery to a European or Worldwide address will be sent via Air Mail with Insurance where applicable
or International Signed only.
I will always obtain proof of postage this is by receipt from post office and can be emailed as a jpeg if requested.
I will always send items by First Class or Airmail signed for unless the buyer indicates differently please email to discuss what best suits you.

Any item/items over £50 will only be sent with insurance unless you want to take the risk. If you do not wish to take insurance then the item will only be insured up to £36. I will not be held responsible for any uninsured items that either go missing or are damaged if insurance is not taken.

I reserve the right to post mulitple wins at the cost which the Royal Mail charges me. I will not make any
exceptions to this.

PACKING:
ALL LP's will be packed with the record and inner being separate so that the sleeves avoid seam-splitting. Stiffeners and padding will be added where necessary. All 7" singles will remain in their sleeves with stiffeners.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PAYMENT TERMS:
Payment must be made in British Pounds Sterling only (GBP)
Accepted method of payment: PayPal only.
Please pay for your item within 5 days of the auction closing. If you are intending to bid on other items and wish to pay when they have closed, please contact me to let me know. I reserve the right to cancel any transactions and offer the item to the second highest bidder if no contact or payment is made within FIVE days.
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PLEASE DO NOT checkout and assume you know the postal cost of the item you have won until you have received an email from me regarding total payment instructions.
If I receive payment before I have contacted you I will reject it. My costs are based on the weight of the item being sent. And not what ebay requires I fill in to complete my auction transaction. In many cases costs maybe less.
PLEASE CONSIDER THE ABOVE TERMS CAREFULLY BEFORE BIDDING.  1151 (GS 8.0.11 (1151))