BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDENCE . YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED: COMPLETE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING AND A 100% TRACK RECORD OF OFFERING GREAT PRODUCTS, SERVICE, COMMUNICATION AND DELIVERY – GUARANTEED!!

LED ZEPPELIN - PHYSICAL GRAFFITI

1st Ever Pressing - COMPLETE ORIGINAL - VERY RARE 'A1  B4' GOTHIC PRESS WITH SUPERB SOUND QUALITY THROUGHOUT AND VINYLS THAT SOUND BARELY PLAYED!!!

A1 B4 C1 D1 - 1st Pressing, 1st Edition. ORIGINAL UK VINYL. The classic Led Zep double LP. Comes with cut-out design sleeve, both original inner sleeves and original wraparound inner. A great barely played pressing with stunning sound, from my own personal collection!

CAT NO:....

SSK 89400

LABEL PRESS DETAILS:

Swan Song. Country: UK. First issued: 1975

Original UK A1 Matrix version. ATLANTIC, MADE IN GT BRITAIN.

MATRIX NOs. ON RUN-OUT GROOVE - 1st Ever!

Matrix Side 1: SSK89400 A1

Matrix Side 2: SSK89400 B4

Matrix Side 3: SSK89400 C1

Matrix Side 4: SSK89400 D1

MOTHER STAMPERS: VERY EARLY AND RARE PRESSING STAMPERS

Side 1. '' C 2 3 '' 

Side 2. '' A 4    G '' 

Side 3. '' C 1   2''

Side 4. '' B 4  7 "

TRACK LISTING…

Side 1: Custard Pie. The Rover. In My Time Of Dying.

Side 2: Houses Of The Holy. Trampled Underfoot. Kashmir.

Side 3: In The Light. Bron-Yr-Aur. Down By The Seaside. Ten Years Gone.

Side 4: Night Flight. The Wanton Song. Boogie With Stu. Black Country Woman. Sick Again.

'Following the staggering reunion triumph at the O2, which I was lucky enough to be at, with interest in Led Zeppelin greater than ever, with the site for the Ahmettribute.com tribute concert receiving an unbelievable 120 million hits, with 25 million people apparently registering for a Zeppelin ticket, its as good a time as any to invest in an original copy early press of this classic Zep album.

THE ALBUM 

A COMPLETE 1st EVER UK PRESSING OF PHYSICAL GRAFFITI . INSERT CONTAINS THE ALL IMPORTANT GOTHIC PRINTERS ASSIGNATION AND SWAN SONG KINGS RD ADDRESS

This is a great pressing in AMAZING ARCHIVE condition!!!

ALBUM PLAYED FOR GRADING -  Yes – Fantastic! - NEAR MINT sound quality throughout!

SUPERB CLEAN SOUND, TOP AUDIO FROM THIS FIRST PRESSED VINYL!

These great records play with super strong, crystal clear undistorted sound. It is so hard to find any pressing of Physical Graffiti that has this loud, booming clear crisp sound. Fantastic. Channels are clean and unstressed AND PLAY WITH SUPER CLEAR AUDIO. Wonderful TOP audio, there are obviously NO sticks or jumps what so ever, and little surface sound between the tracks.  It would be very hard to find a pressing that plays with clearer sound. I will give a detailed account below:

Bursting in with 'Custard Pie' this great track often plays with lots of loud static, pops and clicks, setting the tone for the rest of the vinyl. Not here, just great audio. Some very light occasional background static between tracks, and certainly not any obvious faults, its plays with immaculate sound, and sets an incredibly high standard for the whole record. 'The Rover' can also be prone to heavy wear but here sounds great. No static during the music, no pops or clicks. 

'In My Time Of Dying', being the first quiet (ish) track on the record, sounds crisp and clear. No pops or clicks and not a hint of blurring or distortion. The many quiet sections sound superb. super clear and loud and bright. This long varied track sounds great, it just plays superbly. There is some static at the start, and a couple of light static tics but nothing unusual or obtrusive. Still no loud pops or clicks or loud static, and crystal clear sound. There is some light static and the occasional static tic between tracks, but certainly nothing obvious. No pops or clicks anywhere, just great bright sound. The brief talking section at the end of the track is amazing; sounds like you're in the studio with Led zeppelin. Fantastic!

Side 2. of Physical Graffiti often starts off with heavy static. Here there is virtually no static at all at the start of 'Houses of the Holy', just superb clear audio. Not a single pop or click throughout. absolutely stunning audio. The classic 'Trampled Under Foot' also plays great with no pops, no clicks, and minimal background static.  Perfect audio!

Leading into the massive 'Kashmir', here it plays with lovely clear bright sound, no distortion, no pops, just some static before the track starts. No static tics. Always a test for Physical Graffiti, it sounds wonderful and clear, with pretty much no static at all, and certainly not a hint of distortion, and no pops or clicks. It would be hard to ever better.

Side 3. begins with the long and diverse 'In The Light', which sounds great, bright loud audio with no pops or clicks. There is some very light static at the very start, but for such a long quiet introduction, the clarity is incredible and any static is very quiet and short lived. Moving into the delicate 'Bron Yr Aur' which also plays great, with no pops or clicks, and barely any detectable occasional light background static at the very start only, the kind found on all vinyls. For such a quiet track and such a test for Psychical Graffiti, this plays beautifully, any surface sound is only really found on the very start of the track and even there is barely audible. Amazing. 

'Down By The Seaside', another of the quiet tracks on the album sings out with very quiet run ins and quiet areas. Great music with great clarity, and so hard to find with this type of sound.  'Ten Years Gone' continue with the same high standard, with just a bit of static at the start and during some of the quiet sections. There is one light pop in the middle but thats it. It plays superbly, bright crisp audio with no loud pops clicks, no tics and very little static to be found, the vocals are clear and crisp and the audio is brilliantly sharp. 

Side 4. begins with 'Night Flight' and plays with nice clear runs ins and great clear audio. 'The Wanton Song', sounds amazing, with minimal static and still no pops, clicks to be found. 'Boogie With Stu' plays with bright clear sound, so clear and bright, with a little very light static only, and certainly nothing prominent.  'Black Country Woman', a track that can be plague by unwanted noise, sounds superb, with no loud pops or clicks, just some very light and very occasional static. Leading into the final track of this Zeppelin masterpiece, 'Sick Again' is sounding great, with really clear bright sound. 

Physical Graffiti is a complex and varied collection of music, and is also a relatively sensitive piece of vinyl, due its its packaging and vinyl production. It is very hard to find in clear audio condition. Worn copies can have a lot of surface sound even on musically complex and busy tracks like 'Trampled Underfoot.' This pressing has extremely strong undistorted audio, with Super clear sound. There is certainly no interference, and NO loud pops or clicks or Distortion. It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity!

Superb sound, every track has been tested and I could find no obvious sound blemishes. Wonderful TOP audio, there is NO distortion, NO sticks or jumps what so ever. This vinyl is an absolute gem!  ' Bron-Yr-Aur ' sings out with silence in the run ins and quiet areas. Great music with great clarity, and so hard to find with this type of sound.

The music jumps out, with definition and clarity, the vocals which come through with tremendous power. Its the same with the bass guitar and drums, whilst the guitars come through crisp and clear. The tonal quality make this a sensational pressing. With the clear and extra loud First cut engineering giving the audio a vibrant sound which cannot be beaten.

A great all round example of this classic vinyl. This is a great Audio pleasure and I would have to give the Audio at least a NEAR MINT grading. 

Staggering first stereo mix, unlike the re-issues which lack the impact. A great all round example of this great vinyl that would be very hard to better.

THE RECORD - VISUAL GRADED 

This is an opportunity to own an original First Edition set of glossy Physical Graffiti vinyls in superb condition. 

The vinyl of Physical Graffiti is extremely prone to heavy wear. The album was usually played into submission and also the vinyl came in thick card inner sleeves that were textured 'on the inside' . This meant that they practically always covered the vinyls in surface marks and scuffs. 

These vinyls are clean and bright with their original glossy sheen, and have spent much of their lives in replacement inner sleeves. On initial inspection they look completely unmarked, and the labels have NO spindle trails what so ever. Inspected under a spot light they do have some light markings on the vinyl, which include faint paper handing marks from the thick card inner sleeves, but they are extremely light, you have to really strain to see any marks at all. Deep clear grooves that can only be found on the original early pressings, this vinyl has been barely played and shows no groove wear at all.

A really stunning set! A great all round first edition  A1 Gothic Press UK original example of this great Zeppelin collectors vinyl. Easily grades at NEAR MINT.

VINYL TESTED FOR ANY SIGNS OF WARPING:

Yes, NONE visible what so ever when tested be sight and on a moving turntable

THE LABELS 

Physical Graffiti was the band's first release on their own Swan Song Records label, which had been launched in May 1974.

Splendid deeply coloured immaculate examples. I have inspected these labels closely and can see NO wear around the hole areas, and and or two tiny spindle traces only, with all ink uneroded and fully intact, pristine, they fit very tightly around the record spindle. These labels look like they have barely seen a turn table and I would say that the audio quality also proves that this great record has had barely any play at all.

 Graded at NEAR MINT CONDITION.

THE COVER 

The Matt finish die cut box section covers of PHYSICAL GRAFFITI have to be one of the most prone to wear, of all the classic vinyls from the sixties and early seventies. Not having the advantage of being laminated, these covers usually faired pretty badly, with serious ring wear and destruction to the edges. The Spines are nearly always flattened, worn and un readable. The die cut windows and box section format also mean that there was lots of room for rips and tears and wear. Not this one!

This is a great example of this delicate cover with absolutely minimal handling wear. Un laminated, flat matt finish. This is a great example of the classic and totally unique PHYSICAL GRAFFITI cover. 
The Cover is complete and intact, including all the windows, with barely any rubbing on the edges. There are no splits at the opening edges, which is pretty much un heard of! The opening edges are very square and un frayed. The back of the cover is nice and clean, with NO ring wear, which is very unusual for these delicate covers.

The Spine and spine text is intact and again very square, with very little wear at the top. All the die cut windows are sharp and intact with No obvious wear or damage! A great all round example! Grades at EXCELLENT.

The album's sleeve design features a photograph of a New York City tenement block, with interchanging window illustrations. Mike Doud is listed as the Cover Artist on the inner sleeve, and either the concept or design or both were his. He passed away in the early 1990s, and this album design was one of his crowning achievements in a lifetime of design – he was later to win a Grammy for best album cover of the year 1978.

The buildings on the album cover were the same Keith Richards and Mick Jagger were filmed in front of in the Rolling Stones music video "Waiting on a Friend"

THE INNERS 

Both inners are in EXCELENT PLUS to NEAR MINT condition, with  light rubbing and NO splits, as these first press inners nearly always have. These are of course in the heavy card, that only the early pressings were made in. 

Both vinyls will come in plain white replacement inners to protect the originals

FOLD OVER INNER 

The fold over sleeve for both records is in EXCELLENT condition, crisp and clean, with no mottling. Some light discolouration only. And this is the ultra rare original First Edition fold over, which came with the stepped construction at the bottom, unlike all later editions.

Physical Graffiti was the band's first release on their own Swan Song Records label, which had been launched in May 1974. The album was a commercial and critical success, having built up a huge advance order, and when eventually released it reached #1 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart. It has since proven to be one of the most popular releases by the group, selling 8 million copies in the United States alone (which has made it 16 times platinum as it is a double album). Physical Graffiti was the first album to go platinum on advance orders alone. Shortly after its release, all previous Led Zeppelin albums simultaneously re-entered the top-200 album chart.

Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant (vocals, harmonica); Jimmy Page (acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, background vocals); John Paul Jones (bass, keyboards, background vocals); John Bonham (drums, background vocals). Additional personnel included: Ian Stewart (piano). Engineers include: Eddie Kramer, George Chkiantz, Andrew Johns. The recordings were made at Headley Grave, Hampshire, England; Olympic Studios and Islan, London, England; Stargroves, England, between 1972 & 1974. Recording, which began in December 1973 and concluded in July 1974, took place in numerous locations, including Olympic Studios in London, Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio and The Rolling Stones' Mobile Studio.

Recording sessions for the album were initially disrupted when John Paul Jones considered leaving the band. After reuniting at Headley Grange, the band wrote and recorded eight songs, the combined length of which stretched the album beyond the typical length of an LP. This prompted the band to make Physical Graffiti a double album by including previously unreleased tracks from earlier recording sessions.

Physical Graffiti was commercially and critically successful; the album is 16 times platinum (though this only signifies sales of 8 million copies, as it is a double album) in the United States alone, and has come to be regarded as one of Led Zeppelin's defining works. In 2003, the album was ranked number 70 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

RARITY

It is getting harder and harder to find good examples of early A1 UK Gothic pressings of PHYSICAL GRAFFITI, and very hard to find ones in GREAT condition. More than that, this is an early 'B5' UK pressing, with full gothic and Kings road address assignations, with the correct cover and inserts, without the WEA logos and all in TOP ARCHIVE condition.

Early pressed PHYSICAL GRAFFITI in nice condition are scarce. The vinyl is so often played so much, heavily marked, scratched, with noisy, poor and distorted sound. Any early examples with a record in this type of condition, that plays WITH GREAT SOUND, is very rare.

The cover is almost impossible to find without serious wear, even modestly worn examples are scarce. Finding a virtually unworn cover like this, with NR MINT Audio, completely unmarked record labels and with all the original unsplit inserts, make this a fantastic opportunity to own a truly top example of the Zeppelin masterpiece! 

A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO OWN AN EXTREMELY RARE AND VALUABLE PIECE OF MUSICAL HISTORY.

GREAT COVERS WITH NO SEAM SPLITS, NO TEARS, NO WRITING, NO STICKERS.

GREAT VINYLS WITH NO LOUD CLICKS OR POPS, NO JUMPS OR REPEATS - GUARANTEED!

SCRUPULOUS EXAMINATION and TESTING; PLEASE NOTE:

This record has been play tested on highly sensitive equipment to ensure the sound quality and accuracy of description. I aim to give a precise and concise description of the sound quality, pointing out any defects so that you know what you are buying. I will not go into screeds of information about the nature of the songs, as I imagine that you already know them well. I aim to describe all items as accurately as possible, and offer a full refund on return if for any reason you are not completely happy with the item description.

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VINYL SOUND - PLEASE NOTE:

The highest quality vinyl with clear sound is rare, and is what I always aim for. I only sell records that play with TOP AUDIO performance, super clear sound uninterrupted by hiss or other interference. Even with the cleanest copies you will find occasional static sound or occasional light tics during playback, caused by a build of dust in the grooves. This is clearly different from the distortion, loud pops, repeating tics or clicks that are found on heavily played and worn pieces of vinyl. Any static build up will reduce when played, and I advise a light clean should be given between plays for optimal performance. 

VINYL

Large format art work covers with the original sound and mix unique to vinyl and of the highest quality audio. Vinyl record have always been loved and have become a great investment opportunity, with prices soaring over the last ten years, making classic pieces a great financial as well as a cultural investment.  

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IMAGES and INFORMATION

I only use my photographs taken with a high quality professional digital camera of the item for sale. The images are designed to be as clear as possible, giving an exact image of the item. I aim to give sufficient and accurate detail as possible, so that you know exactly what you are bidding on. Please let me know if you need any further information and I will be only to happy to oblige.

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ABOUT ME 

I am a visual artist, working internationally, a collector of art and rare objects including rare vinyl, which I have been collecting for over 25 years, and an art and music enthusiast. I specialise in the  highest quality rarest items, selling to collectors the world over. I want you to know what a great item you are bidding on. If there is anything that is unclear in the listing, or you have any questions about this or any other item, please feel free to get in touch. All the best to you.  

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SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING.

SOME EXAMPLES OF FEEDBACK –

BRILLIANT LP MINT CONDITION,AWESOME SELLAR,1ST CLASS PACKAGING, NO PROBLEMS A+

ITEM RECEIVED.. AS DESCRIBED... PACKED GREAT...MANY THANKS..RECOMMENDED.. A*******

Great LP from a great seller. Thanks !! Very well packaged. AAA+++

received today! great record!! thank you!!!

Item arrived quickly, well packaged and in excellent condition. Very pleased.

fast delivery, superb communication, good item, great ebayer AAAAA+++++

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RETURN POLICY:

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed ; - returns accepted with out question. If you are not happy then it can be returned, I cant say fairer that that!

I ONLY SELL RARE GOODS THAT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION, IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT DEFECT, IT WILL BE CLEARLY STATED.

If in the unlikely event that you may want to return an item, or that I have missed something in the listing, I offer a no quibble return policy. Items must be returned within 12 Days of receipt, and returned in the same condition that they were sent out in. Return postage must be paid by buyer, unless there is a particular fault with the item, and then I will pay the full postage costs!

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MY RECORD GRADING SYSTEM IS AS FOLLOWS - (BASED ON RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE U.K. )

MINT: Virtually unplayed. The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. Cover is pristine.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

V.G PLUS: The record will still be nice and shiny, but may have a few light marks, and will play well. Slight wear and tear on the cover.

V.G: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, etc.

FAIR: Fair. It is noticeable that the record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated very noticeably. The cover and contents are showing signs of folding, scuffing of edges etc.

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POSTAGE AND PAYMENT DETAILS : -

Items will be extremely well sealed and securely wrapped using the best possible packaging for safe handling and delivery. I send items all round the globe with 100% success! I sell top quality rare records to discerning buyers. I do not make money from the postage costs and aim to keep the prices at a reasonable rate, but please don't expect a cheap second rate service. 

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY THAT THE ITEMS YOU BUY GETS TO YOU IN PERFECT CONDITION. All RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR MAIN COVER AND PLACED IN A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT INNER SLEEVE TO AVOID ANY CHANCE OF EDGE SPLITS OR KNIFING. THEY ARE HELD SAFELY IN EXTRA THICK PLASTIC SLEEVES, AND THEN THEY ARE SECURED WITH SEVERAL EXTRA LAYERS OF REINFORCED CARD BOARD AND PADDING AND MAILED IN EXTRA STRONG PROFESSIONAL RECORD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFE ARRIVAL. AS I HAVE STATED I HAVE A 100% SUCCESS RATE AND AIM TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Example of packaging used

UK - First Class Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £5.00

UK Special Signed For Next Day Delivery with Insurance : = £8.90

EUROPE - International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £11.95

INTERNATIONAL, Non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Russia, Australia etc. International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £18.95

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MULTIPLE PURCHASE REDUCTION

Reduced postage of course for multiple items up to 30% off extra items.

POSTAGE WILL BE FIRST CLASS OR THE FASTEST AND SAFEST POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, RECORDED WITH TRACKING AND INSURANCE. ALL ITEMS ARE FULLY INSURED AND COVERED FOR THE SAFEST DELIVERY POSSIBLE, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. GUARANTEED!

POSTAGE RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF POSTAGE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE. MANY THANKS.

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PAYMENTS 

Payments must be made within 3 days of purchasing unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon. Pay Pall ONLY for International buyers. We will accept Pay Pall, cheque or postal order within the UK, but no cash or bank transfers. Items sent out immediately on receipt of payment

Please Note: If no contact is made by the winning bidder following the mandatory Ebay 3 days, I will reserve the right to offer the item to the runner-up, unless prior notice of any delay is arranged beforehand.  Any bidder who has missed the chance to purchase an item from me can still email to make a priority second chance.