Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II - Atlantic - Altered Matrix Contract Pressing LP Mispress Variant - Rock Blues Folk 60s 70s

Very scarce PYE CONTRACT PRESSING

Unusual altered matrix #

Unusual hand scratched matrices

Unusual centrally depressed labels with flat edges

shorter 'dead wax' (run out) on each side

Side A run out 7 mm and side B run out 10 mm

Normal Polydor pressed run outs are: A: 13 mm  and B: 9 mm

with 'The lemon song' label & with incorrect track listing 'Livin lovin wreck (she's a woman)'

With unusual matrix #s: A: (hand scratched) 588-198-A with either N 1 at 9 o'clock/3 o'clock if matrix at 6 o'clock or 1 N if matrix at 12 o'clock also has 'KT'

and B: (hand scratched) 589**-198-B {**scratched out and hand written '8' next to it} with either I (capital letter i) 1 at 9 o'clock/3 o'clock if matrix at 6 o'clock or 1 I if matrix at 12 o'clock also has 'KT'

KT is the 'tax code' actually out of use by this time in real terms-extensively used by EMI stamped on their labels but referring to the Purchase tax applicable however this was phased out during 1969 and this indicates that this is a very early pressing of the Zep II LP probably November/December 1969 when Atlantic/Polydor required extra copies and contracted this LP out to Pye to top up their stock levels.

Pye ceased using 'KT' by 1970.

extra matrix # pics are of the Led Zep II mispress disc with 'Livin lovin wreck' title on label - these are the last 2

Disc fairly marked and worn but plays through with inevitable crackle etc in quiet bits

Cover original 2nd state-typically worn round the edges etc and usual background discolouring on pale areas

Labels have large depression and larger single inner ring than standard label

The label is also completely flat where it ajoins the vinyl (the Polydor pressings are raised then there is a dip down to the vinyl)

Label colours are lighter and the track listing is more spaced than the regular 'tight' track listing

Thanks to Paul Sugars for suggesting that this is a PYE pressing.

Many thanks to Denis Shabes for additional info re this rare release.

Comparisons with Pye label pressings between 1969 and 1972 bear this out

see other listings for variants of Led Zep II