Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti Double Lp, Very 1st Uk Press 1975, Unplayed Mint

This item have been sold for $ 796.63

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Auction Details:
Code ID
#12799
Ebay Item #
311612396951
Sold Price
$796.63
Bids
32
Auction End date
21 May 2016
Seller Location
Chelmsford Essex
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Item Description

KASHMIR John Bonham / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant, 1974
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face,
And stars fill my dream,
I m a traveller of both time and space.
To be where I have been,
To sit with elders of the gentle race,
This world has seldom seen,
They talk of days for which they sit and wait,
All will be revealed.
Talk in song from tongues of lilting grace,
Sounds caress my ear,
And not a word I heard, could I relate,
The story was quite clear.
Ooh, baby, I been blind,
Oh, yeah, mama, there ain t no denying,
Oh, ooh yes, I been blind,
Mama, mama, ain t no denying, no denying.
All I see turns to brown,
As the sun burns the ground,
And my eyes fill with sand,
As I scan this razor line,
Can I find, can I find where I ve been.
Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace,
Like sorts inside a dream,
Leave the path the led me to that place,
Yellow desert stream,
Like Shangri-la beneath the summer moon,
I will return again,
As the dust that floats finds you,
Will move and search Kashmir.
Oh, Father of the four winds fill my sails,
Cross the sea of years,
With no provision, but an open face,
Along the straits of fear.
Oh, when I want, when I m on my way, yeah,
And my feet wear my fickle way to stay,
Ooh, yeah yeah, ooh, yeah, yeah, but I m down,
Ooh, yeah, yeah, ooh, yeah, yeah, but I m down, so down,
Ooh, my baby, oh, my baby,
Let me take you there,
Come on, oh let me take you there,
Let me take you there,
Let me take you there.

LED ZEPPELIN: Physical Graffiti DOUBLE LP SET, VERY FIRST UK PRESSING, 24th FEBRUARY, 1975.
Grading any 41 year old cover holding two heavyweight records Mint- is a rarity, but for a first UK Physical Graffiti cover with
32 die-cut windows, is off the scale. This is a fantastic condition,very first Gothic Printers Finishers Ltd. cover, the one owner
had no intention to play the records, just preserve it in perfect condition. The top opening box design with the windows and
inserts was such an unique design, for the first time in my experience of buying and selling records, he was aware of how easily
damaged the cover could become, he removed the thick cardboard records and cardboard on purchase in February, 1975 and
stored them like single albums, using thick plastic outer sleeves for the now three individual sections of Physical Graffiti when
they were still brand new. Ahead of his time comes to mind, the horrific damage associated with this cover was now completely
avoided, I have always found the first issue individually printed inner sleeves, with the extra thick, heavyweight very first pressing
records inside them, to be too thick and bulky to fit comfortably inside the third white curtains for the windows, wrap round
insert. Therefore bulging against the cover itself and even if extremely rare unplayed records, just standing in storage for over
four decades now, pressure on the square shape vulnerable cover. Weakened by the amount of cardboard cut out, they suffered
enough to cause wear and split corners to say the least. Please see my extra pictures of the cover with both views of the alternate
choice of display, the white curtains and album title and the colour inner sleeve window characters etc. Without the white insert
with white curtains only, the two first issue heavy duty cardboard inner sleeves fit comfortably, with the also heavy duty thicker
wrap round insert, the corners and edges are bulging. Removing the colour inner sleeves and leaving the white insert inside was
a very wise decision because I can and am grading this cover as Mint- and thoroughly deserved. I always remove records from
original inner sleeves and covers for packaging and shipping, even without the records inside. I have found by removing the inner
sleeves and replacing them with one measured single cardboard square inside the wrap round insert, creates the perfect fit to
support the cover in transit for posting, as well as long term storage. Preserving any respectable Physical Graffiti cover has
always been my priority, including my other fail-proof packing record and cover methods, along with being packed as outlined here,
this astounding condition Mint- cover, separately secured cardboard inner sleeves and two records will arrive at the destination
perfectly safely. I am not exactly your average ebay seller, I followed Jimmy Page from the Yardbirds into the New Yardbirds in
1968, saw them perform live in a pub in Hornsey, London and bought their debut Led Zeppelin 1 on release in March, 1969.
Ironically, by 1976, single or non gatefold covers, were really thin, flimsy and unable to withstand average use without wear,
the first edition pair of Physical Graffiti inner sleeve were actually thicker and stronger than any other 1976 single cover
Removing them from the cover and packaging them outside the main cover not only prevents pressure and wear, the inner sleeves
are equally preserved in transit and long term storage.

SWAN SONG LABEL: SSK 89400.
MAITRIX FOR BOTH RECORDS
RECORD 1: SSK . 89400 . A1 / SSK . 89400 . B4
RECORD 2: SSK . 89400 . C1 / SSK . 89400 . D1
The above is precisely how the very first UK pressings had all four sides indexed, pressed by CBS, the machine stamped maitrix
had -1 endings for Side 1, 3 , 4. Side 2 had a higher -4 ending. Logic does not enter the equation, that was how it was
made, the most likely reason would involve changes to the Test Pressings, but that has never been revealed and I doubt very
much if it ever will be. I handle all records with the greatest care, unplayed vinyl as rare as this demands as minimal handling
as possible, as usual, while taking the photo s I selected Side 1 Side 3 for the pictures of the records, labels and maitrix.
With so much to include, I complied two maitrix pictures into one to meet the 12 available, two years ago I sold a superb 1975
Physical Graffiti and tried my best to how as much as possible. This time I compiled all four sides of the first edition inner
sleeves with different scenes for the back and front of the cover s die-cut windows. That created enough pictures to show the
white gatefold insert with the album titles and pulled curtains behind the windows and now the views of the inner sleeves
behind the windows on the front and back. If ever any cover deserved four separate pictures, Physical Graffiti is still the
only album ever made with such complex and glorious artwork, that interacts differently with a choice of pictures on three
inserts/inner sleeves, especially in this stunning all round condition. As a very first pressing, every printed and pressed part
of this album is unique to UK first editions, including even labels without the Warner Brothers / WEA circular logo on the rims
at 2 o clock, introduced only eight months after the album was released.
FIRST ISSUE GATEFOLD Physical Graffiti INNER TO SHOW THE ALBUM TITLE THROUGH THE DIE-CUT WINDOWS
ON THE FRONT OF THE BOX SHAPE COVER. THE ALBUM TITLES ARE PRINTED, LETTER BY LETTER, PER WINDOW
IN RED, THE SAME COLOUR OF THE SPINE TITLES ON FIRST ISSUES. THE REVERSE SIDE HAS THE SAME CLOSED
WHITE CURTAINS WITHOUT ANY LETTERING. MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 24 x 12 , ONLY FIRST UK ISSUES
HAVE THIS TEXT PRINTED ON THEM.

Sleeve printed and made in England by Gothic Printers And Finishers Ltd.

Becoming an extremely important UK identification point, along with Swan Song s London address found on the top back cover,
the one and only position the printer credit is given. I did take a picture of the credit and almost included it, two pictures
of the records on one inner sleeve, was given priority. Including a view of the top left side spine, with red printed titles and
being at the actual top of the cover, that showed how perfect the top opening edge corner s square shape is, none of the splits
ans fraying cardboard common to virtually every original 1975 and 1976 cover. The spine s are also usually really badly worn
and no longer with any printed top surface, this incredible condition cover is as close to perfect as I have ever experienced and
I m sure prospective buyers will welcome seeing two views of the front and back cover. There is an individual picture of this still
l100 square shaped and unsquashed insert, with perfectly crisp edges and no creases at all. As mentioned, this a 41 year old
album, but the only ageing is once again to the bottom standing edge of the wrap around insert, I can find ultimate condition s
but I cannot prevent the effect of the passage of time to gatefold white inserts or inner sleeves
UNUSED,AND UNCREASED, THE HINGED GATEFOLD INNER ALBUM CREDITS AND MATCHING COVER TITLES INNER,
IS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION. WELL, THE ORIGINAL MACHINE MADE FOLDS TO CREATE A SQUARE HINGED SHAPE AT
THE BOTTOM, HAD TO BE THERE AND TINY PUCKERS AND AGEING WERE NATURAL EVENTS, NEAR DOES NOT
REALLY BELONG HERE.
TWO INDIVIDUAL FIRST ISSUE, THICK MATT CARDBOARD PICTURES INNER SLEEVES, DESIGNED TO BE AN
ALTERNATIVE TO THE WHITE AND BLACK GATEFOLD INSERT FOR COVER DISPLAY THROUGH THE DIE-CUT WINDOWS.
Side opening WITHOUT a crescent shaped record access half way down, that followed not long after these very first made, by then
the hue of the cover and the inner sleeves had shifted to an olive green, but the very first UK covers and inner sleeves had a
positive brown tone to the background. The colours of the various characters standing in the windows when inserted on the
outside of the above described gatefold inner, have exceptionally deep and intensive colours, the actual images are razor sharp
and of superior quality to all that followed. The card was at least half the thickness later in 1975, next came top opening inner
sleeves on thin paper, German made like all the printing and vinyl pressing. I am remembering to include items I overlooked on
previous ebay listings, this is a complex album all right First UK inners also had indexing, printed in white with the catalogue
number on the bottom right corners of both inner s on one side, you can see them in my pictures but as they will be quite hard to
read this is the text

SSK 89400 - A
SSK 89400 - B
Both have unfaded colours and are in superb condition, record impressions are too light natured to mention because the
storage over these last 41 years has been made with loving care by the one original owner from new.
ONCE AGAIN, UNUSED AND IN IMMACULATE MINT- CONDITION.

AS JUST MENTIONED, THE Gothic Printers UK PRINTED, VERY FIRST ISSUE ISSUE BOX SHAPE, TOP OPENING
COVER, WITH ALL 32 DIE-CUT WINDOWS UNTORN AND LITERALLY STILL LIKE BRAND NEW.
All I really need to say is the red printed left side spine is absolutely perfect and unworn, along with the still square shaped,
standing bottom edge, in equally outstanding condition. The cover really is in stunning condition, the most vulnerable and
weakest positions are just superb. The top opening edges are generally split on the two side s first inch, with the top edges
of the cardboard s edges frayed and bent out of shape from frequently played records. These top edges have such minimal signs
of light brushing, it s not even worth mentioning, most importantly of all, there are no splits on the top corners or the bottom
corners either. Any light brushing is no more than happened while factory assembling and gluing the cover together, then
the packaging and distribution nationwide to record shops in February, 1976. A positive sign of the records being removed for
long term storage, on that subject, I recommend storing all Physical Graffiti covers, inner sleeves and records exactly how I
prepare them for shipping. Not just because of this incredible condition, why make worn covers worse by leaving the cardboard
inner sleeves records inside? The wear was avoidable but in reality, nearly every first edition was damaged just by accessing
and replacement during the seemingly obligatory excessively and heavily played records. As I said, the left hand spine has red
titles, this whole vertical side is amazingly completely unscuffed, so perfectly clear, readable titles. The opposite right side
or vertical side/second spine, is in the same superb condition. Top opener s create a lot of pressure on the bottom edge, this was
caringly stored in a plastic outer sleeve, so like the corners , in near enough to perfect condition, with the very, very slightest
brushing, rubbing is not a term suitable and brushing paints an accurate picture. Along with just a hint of standing pressure
on the bottom edge, that s all to detail, just time to be taken into consideration, while emphasing this cover has not suffered
from the usual colour fading or even worse on the back, none of the customary pronounced ring wear at all to the dark brown
background, all the colours are in their original 1975 deep, rich tones. Like the spine s printed red titles being perfect, that
last item also acts as a grading criteria, so does having the front s sixteen windows all having sharp, undamaged, unfraying
edges, the 16 back die-cut windows are in the same remarkable condition. For once I refuse to include such a gentle record
impression, there is nothing here a minus suffix on the grading will not incorporate.
AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING FIRST EVER Physical Graffiti COVER, IN MINT- CONDITION.
IMMACULATE TEXTURED LABELS DO NOT HAVE ANY SPINDLE ALIGNMENT TRACES, BEAUTIFUL UNPLAYED RECORDS.
I STILL FEEL OBLIGED TO STATE THE OBVIOUS. ANY FACTORY / RECORD SHOP HANDLING IS NEAR INVISIBLE TO
INVISIBLE, I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, THE RECORDS ARE IN UNPLAYED, MINT CONDITION.

RECORD 1, SIDE 1
Custard Pie Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
The Rover Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
In My Time Of Dying John Bonham /John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
RECORD 1, SIDE 2
Houses of the Holy Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Trampled Under Foot John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Kashmir John Bonham / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
RECORD 2, SIDE 3
In The Light John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Bron-Yr-Aur Jimmy Page
Down By The Seaside Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Ten Years Gone Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
RECORD 2, SIDE 4
Night Flight John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
The Wanton Song Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Boogie With Stu John Bonham / John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page / Robert Plant / Ian Stewart / Mrs. Valens
Black Country Woman Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
Sick Again Jimmy Page / Robert Plant
LED ZEPPELIN:
Robert Plant - lead vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar on Boogie With Stu
Jimmy Page - electric, acoustic, lap steel and slide guitars mandolin
John Paul Jones - bass, organ, acoustic electric pianos, mellotron, keyboards, guitar, mandolin string arrangement
John Bonham - drums percussion
Ian Stewart - piano on Boogie With Stu who else could it be?
Recorded July December,1970, March,1971, May,1972, January - February,1974, At Various Studios.
Andy Johns - engineering
Eddie Kramer - engineering mixing
George Chkiantz - engineering
Ron Nevison - engineering
Keith Harwood - engineering mixing
Peter Grant - executive producer
Produced By Jimmy Page

Over the last few years I rarely list Led Zeppelin albums now, not that I can t find them, but I only sell them in Mint condition
and that has become more difficult with every successive year. To think only three months ago, it was the 41st Anniversary
of Physical Graffiti, unbelievable, but that is the reality of being in the second week of May, 2016. So when I do list any
Led Zeppelin album on ebay, it will be something very special indeed, Physical Graffiti has always been the biggest challenge
and that very much includes all the four sides of a double album of masterpiece class. So I have stubbornly held out for the
minimum of Near Mint, and even a little wear on the most vulnerable cover ever made, to hold two really heavyweight records.
I personally believe gatefold covers should always be made for all double albums, but Physical Graffiti would not be the same
without this wonderful, 3D, interactive die-cut cover. Another year and I m delighted to surpass my expectations with very first
pressing records unplayed and all the first edition only, printed items in astonishing condition, delighted is much too tame, I
am more thrilled to offer this incredible UK pressing of the magnificent Physical Graffiti in the ultimate unplayed condition.
As soon as I saw the cover and particularly the label centres and pristine vinyl, I knew I had to leave the records unplayed, as
they have been for 41 years. I bought this album on the day it arrived at my local record shop, as a double studio album, the
album took a long time to digest, the more I heard, the more I loved the earliest 1970 recording to the 1974 latest. For all the
prior sales of Physical Graffiti on ebay, I made an attempt to describe all four sides, but it simply could not be done, I never
made it past Side 2 of Record 1, how could I when Kashmir alone drew every superlative and left me drained. The impact of
Physical Graffiti has never lessened and with my insistence on perfect vinyl/sound quality, I can only equate this feast of Led
Zeppelin s only studio double album, with the Beatles double White Album. By that I mean there is always something to freshly
discover however familiar you are with the tracks, in a way I am relieved not to attempt describing the four sides again, some
albums are a personal listening experience and perhaps best left without personal comments. I need to add some more pressing
info, the above was almost complete, I forgot to mention the labels being specific to first issues only. If anything else comes to
mind I will include it, without records to play and the volume of text above, a short description would be a good idea.
A quick summary would be a better presentation, 1975 first UK pressed records only, were issued in a UK printed cover and all
the inserts were printed in London by Gothic Printers And Finishers Ltd. To offset the expense of producing this package for all
following re-issues it was far cheaper to import German printed covers inserts, even re-issued records were German pressed and
sold in UK shops when the UK records were bought. Physical Graffiti was a massive selling album, hitting the No.1 position here
and it remained high in the charts for 27 weeks or over nine months, making multiple pressings necessary to meet that demand.
The long chart residency ran into the introduction the circled Warner logo being positioned on the label rims at 2 o clock, which
identifies the pressings made right up to the end of the chart duration and into early 1976. For anyone new to this, to identify
the first or original printed UK covers is very simply done, the back cover has the King s Road, London address of Swan Song
underneath the angel logo, top centre. Sleeve printed and made in England by Gothic Printers And Finishers Ltd is found on the
the fold-out inner white card. The side opening inner sleeves are the thick, heavy card type only, without a crescent shape record
access shape on the opening side. The records for 1975 standards are surprisingly heavyweight but the most telling of all though,
though, is the labels very distinctive printing, unique to a UK first pressing only. The tracks have a much thicker, bolder type
face than on any of the other UK or slightly later German labels. That is very obviously seen on the headings such as the album
title, the side s numbers, the Stereo lettering and the catalogue numbers. The colours on the Swan Song artwork and logo are
far more richly coloured as well, I ve taken close up pictures of the labels to see those details. This very first pressing had
exactly the same matrix endings they all came with -1 on three out of the four sides and -4 for Record 1, Side 2. That can
often be a 5 , I m sure sceptics will have doubts about that, but I have also sold the mega rare shrink wrapped first few made,
and those records had exactly the same maitrix configuration as this pair of records.
Roy

R M RECORDS.
My lifetime s love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960 s decade
in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
into becoming a professional record seller. Nearly thirty years ago we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world s new market place for
vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide
EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A NO ARGUMENT MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY
FROM THE U.K. RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES Sound Quality AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE
OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL. EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.

We take 100 responsibility after an item has been posted and offer our fullest support in the event of any problems.

There Are No Problems, Only Solutions John Lennon

MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100 HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS
FROM V.G. VERY GOOD , TO THE ULTIMATE MINT CONDITION.
ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.

WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT
RECORDS AND COVERS ETC. WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD
SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES.
THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG SECURE.
EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST
QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS
TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.
WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING
ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES
WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA.
UNDER PAYPAL EBAY S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE
SERVICE.
We have kept all our charges at the same level for years now, but due to the Post Office s new price increases, regretfully we
will have to increase the cost of LP s, however, singles will remain unchanged. Ebay were aware of that happening and have
increased their minimum postal cost for LP s to 7.00, that figure has been enforced by the UK Post Office and it will become
our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of 46. A temporary reduction this week means we can
now post LP s for 5, but who knows how long before the Post Office return to 7?
For LP s valued above 46, the cost will be 9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
in 13 years of ebay trading, there has not been one record damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future.
IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF 46 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER 46 WILL BE
SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.
FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.

POSTAGE COST FOR LP s
UK: UP TO VALUE OF 46, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY 5.00
UK: OVER VALUE OF 46, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY 9.00
EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR 15.00
USA,JAPAN REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR 20.00
POSTAGE COST FOR EP s 7
UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF 46 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY 3.00
UK: OVER THE VALUE OF 46 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY 6.00
EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR 10.00
USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR 12.00


PAYMENT DETAILS.
WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS,
AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE.
OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE.
FOR UK BUYERS
WE ACCEPT: PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS BANK WIRES.
FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS
WE ACCEPT: PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY.
OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS.
WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS
CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY.
AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT
DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.

Pay me with PayPal.
I don t charge my buyers extra
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