LED ZEPPELIN 1 (Turquoise)1969 Rare First Pressing 588171 A//1 B//1 LP EX / EX

	£		2,695
	$		3,217

LED ZEPPELIN (1)Atlantic Records 1969 588171 A//1, B//1 ( FIRST PRESSING - Turquoise Lettering on cover - Uncorrected Matrix Numbers, Superhype Music )
Released 50 years ago on the 12th January 1969 this is the Holy Grail for Led Zeppelin fans, an Excellent ( or maybe Near Mint ) copy of the FIRST PRESSING of Led Zeppelin's first eponymous album.
According to 'rarerecordcollector.net' this is the original and short-lived first version ( less than 2000 copies ( some say less than 1000 ), withdrawn within a week of release) with 'turquoise' lettering and uncorrected Matrix numbers.
This was replaced within a matter of weeks with the much more familiar orange version ( apparently the band and manager Peter Grant made a last minute decision that the turquoise text wasn't right for a heavy rock'n'roll band ).
This very first pressing label features a publishing credit to 'Superhype Music' and the Matrix numbers on the vinyl do not have one of the '8's scratched out ( as happened on later pressings ).
The Album looks and sounds incredible for vinyl of this vintage and sonically is as powerful and fresh as it was 5 decades ago. There are some faint marks on the surface of Side One but nothing that affects the music. 
Crank up the volume and there is some faint crackling on the run-ins and between the tracks ( just to remind you it is vinyl ), but no skips or jumps ( a couple of slight clicks at the beginning of 'How Many More Times' are the only reason I haven't listed it as Near Mint ) and the range of sound is fantastic from the heavy thump of Bonham's drums to the finger picking acoustic and screaming Telecaster electric guitar from Jimmy Page, from close-miked whispering to full-throated Robert Plant screams and John Paul Jones' subtle, overlapping electric piano and organ ( not forgetting his earth shaking bass guitar !).
The layering of all the different instruments on this album is incredible, Jimmy Page was a genius of a producer and his insistence on the original pressing being on heavy duty virgin vinyl ( usually reserved for classical albums, while pop had to make do with recycled ) means that every sound was captured in pristine acoustic perfection, down to the room ambience of the studio ( it sounds like you are in Olympic Studios with them ! ).
The cover is in Excellent condition ( see photos ), the spine is full and not squashed flat, there is only minimal lifting of the glossy layer at the opening side and the top and bottom edges are almost pristine with the grey line on lower front.The inner sleeve is the original paper and plastic one (British Patent No. 800513 &978939 Made In England in dark blue ink).
The labels are deep orange and plum and also in excellent condition with very limited spindle marking ( see photos ).
All in all this is a great piece of Rock history in remarkable condition that sounds as fresh, vibrant and powerful today as it did when released half a century ago.This is the album that changed the face of music from the Pop of the sixties to the Rock of the seventies and subsequent ages.
There are very few copies of this First Pressing still around looking and sounding as good as this one.
I have used the Record Collector's Grading system for describing this album as 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.'