Led Zeppelin IV LP UK 1st Press A3/B3 Peter Grant STICKERED [Ex/Vg+]

	£		175
	$		232

An original very 1st press of Zep IV on the UK Atlantic label. Matrix A3/B3 - very 1st cut. Label design is one of the earliest obtainable and includes the 'Peter Grant' credit, and the band name underneath those additional stickers. For a very short period the printers were using up those last remaining early labels and decided to sticker-over Peter's credit and move the band name up into the top half. It is kind of ironic that, on these stickered copies, the Peter Grant credit still remains just about visible/legible! I presume only a relatively small number of these stickered copies exist as it must have been a real pain in the arse to apply four extra stickers to every record. ALL later copies [even other copies at 1st issue] will omit Peter's credit - and show the band name in the red sector. So this, along with that very 1st cut matrix, shows that this is a very early 1st week example. Also please note that the labels mention 'Misty Mountain Hop'. And once again proves that the original very earliest copies were printed correct! All later the copies which mention 'Top' - are ALL errors that occurred during the multitude of re-designs. The vinyl comes housed in an original cover. We also have a genuine 1st issue inner sleeve. Textured with exposed flip-backs as only 1st issues will be [5 credits observable]. So, 100% complete and 100% genuine.
Vinyl (Ex/Ex-) In beautiful condition and so so hard to find these early copies looking anywhere near this smart. It's clearly seen light careful use - there's still waste wax in the spindle hole! Under close inspection there are a couple of light marks per side, and one superficial trail - absolutely nothing feelable or that would feature in the audio. A thorough testing from beginning to end reveals a mostly EXCELLENT level of playback with one deviation. Intros and inbetweens are lovely and quiet and the audio come across with superb clarity. The red and plum copies sound great - period. But these early 1st copies of ZepIV are so so close to those original masters - just a matter of weeks. Finding the early copies is tricky. Find a decent playing copy - way way harder! But this copy is genuine earliest 1st and it plays truly superb. Yes, yes, I know there are a couple of earlier print errors - but this is as early as it's practical to go. By this point the only thing that really matter is the AUDIO. And this copy aces it in all the right areas. Little to find fault with really. Upbeat numbers are delivered with energy and bags of low-level detail. Into those super tricky low-key acoustic numbers what you need is a clean player. And this copy manages it even into Evermore and STAIRWAY. Not perfectly clean for every second. But these tracks are playing way cleaner than you typically find. Stairway - particularly the intro is hellishly difficult to find playing clean.. Yes, a few low-level crackles are audible occasionally here - but I think you will really struggle to even equal this level. The only track I'd say exhibits just a touch of light static was California. Absolutely nothing noticeable - just low-level stuff that in no way takes away from the listening experience. Ending on 'Levee' - which is absolutely out-of-this-world. Overall a stellar rendition and that rare combination of "real rarity and high preservation".
Cover (Vg+) Not quite up to the standards delivered by the vinyl - but more than acceptable. Very nice and clean front and rear without anything standout or detrimental. if I were being picky I'd mention a touch of light fade along that spine edge. The interior looks excellent with only super light handling evident. There's a bit of edge wear in places - but nothing epic. The spine looks really good with minimal wear. Overall the cover retains excellent rigidity and the openings are still sharp. Very respectable.
Inner (Vg+) A 1 c.m. bottom edge split. A one inch side edge split. But flip-backs are all perfectly intact. There's no markings or scuffing or creasing. Highly respectable with clean flat surfaces.




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