Led Zeppelin IV A3/B3 UK Red/Plum Label
This red/plum pressing plays with 'high end' audio, the quality is stunning.
There are about nine versions of the red/plum labels and this one I would say is the third variation.  It is certainly early as it has the A3/B3 matrix rather than A3/B4.  Also all other aspects of the label are correct - no 'Peter Grant' credit, no inverted feather on S2 and has 'Hop' spelt correctly also.
PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax on each side.

2401012 // A / 3 // 1 2  1 0 // Pecko Duck

2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2  9 // Porky 

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro Ex+ for 3/4 seconds)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 4 is Near Mint)
The gatefold is Ex+ (top of back cover centrally is VG-)
The original inner sleeve is VG++

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading
This is a lovely example of this iconic album.  There are no scratches and under a bright light I cannot detect any hairlines either.  In fact the only thing that detracts from it visually is a fade line that can be seen on the same section of each side.  This must have occurred when a slither of sunlight must have been shining on it.  The effect is minimal as detailed below.  There is not very much spindle wear and I am confident in saying that S2 has hardly been played.  S1 is superb but if anything S2 is superb++!  Aside from the 'fade section' this is visually stunning and also has super clean labels and run out grooves.
Play grading
'Black Dog' plays with superb power and there are no clicks or pops and no distortion.  There is a very faint hiss that can be heard per revolution of the record on the first few grooves due to the 'heat' mark but this can only be heard a few times due to the volume of the music and as I say it is only very faint anyway and non-intrusive in my opinion.  The remainder of the track plays in sublime fashion and is 'as new' if I'm honest, the clarity is stunning.  This is a fantastic version of this classic and it is undoubtedly one of the finest versions I have heard in a long time even with the intro.  There is no 'background' in the quieter sections and the solo towards the end plays with such power and definition, absolutely mind-blowing!  There is barely any static on the fade out either.
This has to be the most powerful and impressive version of 'Rock and Roll' I have heard in a long time.  Quiet simply it plays 'as new' with no interference of any kind.  There is no distortion on the top end and I have no hesitation in grading it as Mint- the quality is immaculate.  The strength of the bass is incredible - true audio perfection throughout.
The quiet intro on 'The Battle of Evermore' plays incredibly well with barely any static and the playback on the remainder is of an impeccable standard also.  Judging by the clarity I have heard thus far it is obvious this vinyl has only been lightly played and rarely have I heard an A3/B3 red/plum press playing with such wonderful clarity.  Again this deserves a Mint- grading, even the extended fade out plays with perfect precision.
The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' is very clean indeed with only the odd very light static sound.  There is no crackle and certainly no clicks or pops.  You won't hear many intros as good as this one, the clarity is of an exceptional standard.  As the track builds this quality continues and again not one single click or pop so far!  A minor touch of mega light static perhaps but it is so much in the background as to be negligible and perhaps I am doing myself a disservice by even mentioning it!  Once the drums begin on the 'If there's a bustle in your hedgerow...' line the audio is stunning.  There is a touch of static distortion prior to the guitar solo but I find this is always the case on this brief section.  The solo then plays with fantastic power and you can turn the volume up to 11 without fear of distortion!  It has such dynamic power and the final 'loud' verse is equally as good with no distortion on the top end again and is the best the most impressive I have heard in a long time.  It is absolutely stunning!  This heavier section is just so powerful and 'new' sounding.  The quiet end vocal is also mega clean with no 'background' which is such a rarity.  Wow what a sublime version of this timeless classic!!
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'Misty Mountain Hop' has 2/3 mega quiet hiss sounds again per revolution on the intro, barely audible really, and the music still plays so strongly and with no other 'background'.  This track displays audio of a spectacular standard and has a tremendous range and depth throughout.  This as near to perfection as you will.  Stunning power, no distortion and no interference and even fade out plays to perfection.  I am confident in grading this as Mint- the quality is stunning and not a single click or pop again.
'Four Sticks' is another track impressing with Mint- audio and I am only using the minus because the album isn't sealed!  There is no interference of any kind and it plays 'as new' and you can't say that that about many red/plum pressings.  The bass is so strong here and again there is no distortion at all.  I honestly believe this side has been hardly played such is the astounding clarity here.
'Going to California' is another highlight (as if there weren't enough!) and plays beautifully throughout.  There is no interference and the clarity is of the highest calibre.  For a relatively quiet track the 'sound' is first class and the only 'background' I heard was a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  This is audio of a sublime standard and the reason why we listen to vinyl.  It is 100% stunning!
As per any red/plum press 'When the Levee Breaks' always has some distortion but I am so pleased to say this is the 'cleanest' and most impressive version I have heard in many a year and provides another example of a side that has been hardly played.  Yes there is a distortion but it is so minor and you certainly don't need to turn the volume down as you so often have to with this classic track.  A little more distortion towards the end but overall it plays so clearly and with great power and was a real pleasure to listen to.  A breathtaking version if ever there was one.  A superb finale to this iconic album.
In summary this is a final upgrade archive red/plum press with audio that is so impressive.  It plays with wonderful clarity and definition and there is not one single click or pop on either side!  Quite rare also to find one with everything on the label being correct!  The gatefold may have some wear but this is a LZ IV that will not disappoint.

The Gatefold
This is a very impressive gatefold apart from one area of wear.  The edges of the front cover are in superb shape with barely any shelf wear.  The bottom edge on the back cover is also mega clean but the top edge does have wear on the middle area.  This can also be seen near the top of the back cover itself where there are a few scuff marks.  This is a shame because aside from that this cover is in lovely condition.  The spine is in superb order as are the corners that have next to no wear which is a rarity.  The front cover is very clean and has only one tiny mark by the right edge.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all which lends credence to the fact that the vinyl has only been lightly played.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition with no marking, just a little fading top left.  Overall a very clean example of this iconic gatefold...apart from the wear on the back cover.
Inner sleeve
This is very clean and whilst there is some tape on the bottom edge there are no splits to the sides and only one small tear on the top edge.  So often this paper sleeve has more damage than that and some creasing also.  This particular one has no creasing whatsoever.  One of better ones I would say.
The labels
The red/plum labels are extremely clean with no writing/marking and not a great deal of spindle wear.  Lovely examples.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

2401012 // A / 3 // 1 2  1 0 // Pecko Duck

2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2  9 // Porky

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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