LED ZEPPELIN II 1st UK PLUM\RED 'LOVIN' WRECK' ToPAuDIO

	£		350
	$		464

LED ZEPPELIN ''LED ZEPPELIN II'' (((EARLIEST)))1ST UK PRESSING CAT NO. 588198 ATLANTIC LABEL 1969!!!!  IMPOSSIBLE ''RAREST EVER'' EARLIEST MISSPRESS!!!  ''LIVING LOVIN' WRECK (SHE'S A WOMAN)   AND THE ''LEMON SONG CREDIT''  E.DAY & CO 1ST PRESS EARLIEST EVER ISSUE ((LIGHT BROWN))GATEFOLD COVER !!!!!

THE RAREST,EARLIEST AND MOST SOUGHT AFTER 1ST VARIATION OF THIS PRESSING!!

SO RARE IN ANY CONDITION

Another from my personal collection! I have decided to list probably one of the rarest and most sought after UK Led Zeppelin UK Albums. This features the very,very 1st label variation ''Living Lovin' Wreck'' Very few were initialy pressed and was soon withdrawn and labels were reprinted with this track title ''Living Lovin' Maid''  This was also the earliest variation also featuring ''The Lemon Song '' on the labels which was also withdrawn, later to feature ''The Killing Floor'' instead of ''The Lemon Song'' Also features 'Copyrite Controll' credit (only 1st UK press later withdrawn) This was pressed from the earliest master features A#2 and B#2 Matrix endings (earliest for this pressing)!

This is complete and totaly original another mega rarety is the awesome E.Day gatefold cover which is the earliest,, with light brown outer cover, later these were issued a much darker brown!

Most would know that I normally only ever list albums that are in near mint condition on this site! It is important  to note that this album is listed for its mega rarety rather than for its condition!      Having said that from the visual aspect of the labels and vinyl and the fact that this has bare minimal spider marks, it is my conclusion that this vinyl has not been played that much at all which is extreemely rare to find on one of the earliest led zeppelin II albums beleive me. This played through without any loud clicks  and no skips or jumps on my systems. However I have noted that  there was some light interfearance on the first track where i could hear some light scuff like pops in two or perhaps three places on this track only,  Having said that the audio was cristal clear and vibrant throughout,and even on this track,and in my personal opinion wasn't anything that bad as to spoil the overall awesome audio effect of the track or indeed the album, any other interfearance is extreemely minimal indeed! The important factor here for me is that there wasn't the usual nasty background noise that is often heard on these earlyZeppelin records!. I usually only ever list near mint records on this site but I have decided to list this very playable and quite respectable copy because the rarety aspect would make it very desirable for any avid Led Zeppelin collector to have one of the earliest UK pressings of this album which very rarely surface at all for sale. 

Led Zeppelin II is the second album released by English rock band Led Zeppelin in 1969. Here they further developed ideas established on their debut album, creating a work which became even more widely acclaimed and arguably more influential!!!

The album was recorded during a hectic and much-traveled period of the band's career from January through August 1969, when they completed four European and three American concert tours. Each song was separately recorded, mixed and produced at various studios in the UK and the U.S. The finished tracks reflect the raw, evolving sound of the band and their innovations as live performers.

It has been suggested that Led Zeppelin II largely writes the blueprint for 1970s hard rock.[Blues-derived songs like "Whole Lotta Love", "Heartbreaker", "The Lemon Song" and "Bring It on Home" are now standards of the genre, where the guitar-based riff (rather than vocal chorus or verses) defines the song and provides the key hook. Such arrangements and emphases were at the time atypical in popular music. As such, the album is generally considered to be very influential on the development of rock music, being an early forerunner of heavy metal, and inspiring a host of other rock bands including Van Halen and Guns N' Roses!!

Led Zeppelin II also experimented with other musical styles and approaches, as on the alternately soft-and-loud "What Is and What Should Never Be" and "Ramble On" (which featured Page's acoustic guitar), or the pop-influenced ballad "Thank You". With its mysterious atmospherics, "Ramble On" helped develop hard rock's association with fantasy themes, which had partly derived from the psychedelic rock of two to three years before, but also from lyricist Robert Plants personal interest in the writings of J. R. R. Tolkien. This direction would later culminate on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album (and countless subsequent groups would later carry the influence to further extremes). Conversely, the instrumental "Moby Dick" features an extended drum solo by John Bonham, which would later be extended to a half-hour or more in live Led Zeppelin concert performances!.

Jimmy Page's contribution to this album was significant, as his electric guitar solo on the song "Heartbreaker" was emulated by many younger rock guitarists, and exemplifies the group's intense musical attack. Page's innovative recording and drum miking effects on tracks such as "Ramble On" and "Whole Lotta Love" also demonstrated his considerable skill, resourcefulness and originality as a producer. This was the first Led Zeppelin album to feature Page playing a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, the guitar he helped make famous!!!

Side one

1. "Whole Lotta Love" (John Bonham, Willie Dixon, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) – 5:34
2. "What Is and What Should Never Be" (Page, Plant) – 4:45
3. "The Lemon Song" (Howlin' Wolf, Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant) – 6:19
4. "Thank You" (Page, Plant) – 4:50

Side two

1. "Heartbreaker" (Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant) – 4:14
2. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) – 2:39
3. "Ramble On" (Page, Plant) – 4:24
4. "Moby Dick" (Bonham, Jones, Page) (instrumental) – 4:22
5. "Bring It on Home" (Page, Plant) – 4:20

The matrix

side 1. 588198 A 2 (Earliest possible for this pressing)

side2.  588198 B 2 (Earliest possible for this pressing)

The Vinyl

This is the heavier and thick,chunky type of vinyl only found on early pressings later are much more flimsier and less robust!!!! Also from my experience the thicker original vinyls produce the best audio quality, this pressing being one of the very earliest to ever have been released produces the most desirable audio!!!!!

On initial inspection the vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable!! The vinyl retains its original glossy sheen from new and the playing looks superbe! AWESOME for an unbelievable 38 years old!!! On intitial inspection of the playing surface I can see five very small aprox 3mm scuff marks only on the first track on side one some of these produced some scuff type pops in three places that I noted!!  Only in very strong light could possibly any other light sleeve removal marks\scuffs be seen (NO) needle scratches at least any other audio type marks can be seen!

The Audio Quality

I have very carefully played this vinyl  at very loud volume on a top system,on my Garrard 401 deck with an SME tone arm! This plays through cristal clear and vibrant throughout with (no) real signs of grooveware or that this has been overplayed WHAT SO EVER!!!!

The first important thing to note is the true rich vibrancy that and awesome seperation and deep basey feel that can only be found on these earliest pressings.   I heard some scuff type pops in three places that I noted on track 1, side 1 but it is important to note that these were not loud clicks and in my personal opinion nothing too bad as to spoil the overall awesome audio experiance. Amaizingly even in between tracks and during quiet places, any static crackle is very very minimal and in most cases almost silent which is so rare to find. It is my personal opinion that this vinyl has had just very (very) minimal play only! For the most part this audio is quite stunning. I have also noted that this vinyl could do with a constant clean before each play because I could see debrit on the playing surface after play.

 Please note!Please allow for  light static crackle\ticks that might be heard during some quiet parts (not consistant throughout the audio!(to be honest i never heard any UNBELEIVABLE!!) 

Please note! This vinyl has been stored in a case for at least 30 years and laying dormant. This would benefit from a constant clean before each play which would reduce any static crackle! This has been stored in a case for the best part of 25 years and build up of dirt and dust in the grooves subsequently cause static crackle! I have noted debrit that could be seen on the playing surface after play! 

To sum up. This audio was clear and vibrant on my systems with stunning seperation but there is some interfearence as noted above only limited to a fraction of this vinyl, but I found this extreemely playable and very enjoyable throughout! 

 I would class myself as highly critical! Please look at my completed listings of records that i have solds of this calaber and you will see that i normally get it right 38 YEARS OLD ONE OF THE EARLIEST UK  ZEPPELIN ALBUMS TO HAVE BEEN RELEASED OF THIS PRESSING. !!!!!

Points to note! I have played this vinyl at very loud volume using a top system!  I always add this disclaimer! I have given my very honest opinion on the audio quality as I heard it! Please allow for the odd very (very) light static crackle here and there and perhapes the light static ticks (not) consistant throughout the audio!! Please remember this is a genuine 38 year old vinyl that would have been played on a 38 year old system!!!!! TOP AUDIO!!!!

The labels

These labels are superbe the original plum\red Atlantic labels (only found on early press)  Features ''LIVING LOVIN' WRECK'' (only 1st press,Later features Living Lovin' Maid') ''THE LEMON SONG'' credit (only 1st pressings (later press feature ''KILLING FLOOR)  Very (very) limited amount of spidering can be seen angled in light! There is little if (no) spindle ware , the hole is perfectly round!  ''MADE IN GT BRITAIN'' is featured (UK press)

The Cover

This is the original and very earliest Ist issue, 1st press unlaminated gatefold cover  printed by E.DAY & CO (ENGLAND) The earliest issue featuring the 'Light Brown' outer cover, with the very slight green tint at the spine  . !!  These are very very hard to find in any half decent condition (no) splits or tares !!

 There is Amaizingly just very light general  storageware with age only   writing on the spine can be read clearly (see photos)very (very) light scuffing\rubbing on this cover at the  edges and at the spine (hardly noticable unless looked for) The spine has been slightly flattened with age but has worn extreemely well in my opinion.         (rare like this) at the rear there is very very light rubbing that can be seen if looked for but this is truly exceptional!  This  cover is superbe,  strong and straight as it should be!! I would say that compared to mant that I have seen this is at least excellent!

 The inside of the gatefold features blue green (only 1st press covers) a superbe example for 38 years old!!!!!! This is probably one of the best that i have seen!!!THIS HAS BEEN STORED IN A CASE WITH THE VINYL AND SLEEVE SEPERATED FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS, THIS IS HOW I HAVE ALWAYS STORED MY RECORDS! This very 1st issue must grade at least excellent in my opinion

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE   SENT   BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!!!

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement!!!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low,poor or no real history,  Please do not bid on my records without first contacting me! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.   

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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