LED ZEPPELIN II RL Robert Ludwig Both Sides 1969 rare HOT MIX 1st U.S. Monarch pressing with thick cardboard matte gatefold cover and original inner sleeve-
Rarest of the rare “Monarch” pressing of this title featuring withdrawn mix later remastered to eliminate "excess" bass.
Played all the way through to determine condition. 
As noted above, side 1 vinyl is VG, with light scuffs & light wear but nothing deep or that can be felt with a fingernail…pops and crackles can be heard at the beginning of track one, the end of track 4, quiet spots & in between the song tracks. The noise is not really apparent during the louder passages and of course, the Ludwig mix really shines on these tracks…
Side 2 vinyl is about the same, one deeper scuff, not really a scratch, and doesn’t seem to affect sound..light scuffs & wear, and with the same light popping and crackling during quiet parts…
Listening to both sides carefully, this has to be the best mixed version of this title that I have heard; everything is more clear and defined, especially the bass (including drums & bass guitar) but also you can hear more acoustic & rhythm guitar. The original Monarch RL press is regarded as possibly the best version of this LP that was available at the time…
All tracks play through fine without skips…
It’s almost impossible to find these in clean condition, but the good thing is that even beat copies rock hard because of the recording and the mix which is very loud in volume and mastering so tends to obscure a lot of the crackles and noise..
COVER is in VG Condition with shelf wear along the seams and spine but all are intact. Spine is solid (see photos). The initials on the front top left (RN) are mine, as well as the blue ink, I suppose, from 1969 when I bought this album…guess I should have taken more care back then…:) Inside gatefold looks good (Broadway address) w/ small crack at the middle seam..
Correct Atlantic INNER SLEEVE is VG with small tear & age/weathering…
Side 1 matrix runout: ST-A-691671-MO-BB-LW-RL SS Side 2 matrix runout: ST-A-691672-MO-CC-LW-RL SS
Really great rare example of a superb record! 
USPS Media Mail $3.85  Ask me for combined shipping deals on multiple albums. 
Vinyl will be placed in it’s own anti-static sheath, separate from its cover, sandwiched between two cardboard spacers & well packed in a standard record mailer, USPS Media Mail
*Check my other auctions for more vintage records....

Records have been given a basic cleaning, but I would recommend a proper cleaning to get even better sound and performance!

Of course returns are accepted if item does not match description-Check my feedback, it’s 100% positive! Just a note: These albums come from a "virus-free" home. My heart goes out to those that are affected worldwide. You can be sure that I adhere to the social distancing policy very strongly and will thoroughly clean & pack these items well before shipping.
Thank you for looking,
Leoslespaul

On Sep-27-21 at 13:22:40 PDT, seller added the following information:

Matrix / Runout Side A: ST-A-691671-MO - BB LW Δ13933 AT RL ss W Matrix / Runout Side B: ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss Δ13933-X W AT

On Sep-28-21 at 08:45:03 PDT, seller added the following information:

PS: I will also include a decent Les Zep II outer cover- I know the one pictured here isn't the greatest- Thx