Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (1969) “Turquoise Lettering” First Pressing:
The Led Zeppelin self-titled debut LP was released in January 1969 in the UK on Atlantic Records, catalog number 588171. Among all early UK editions, the “turquoise lettering” sleeve variation represents the very first and earliest withdrawn pressing of the album. This short-run version was quickly replaced, making it one of the most distinctive and well-documented first-press variants in rock vinyl history.
Sleeve Details
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The first UK pressing features turquoise-colored “Led Zeppelin” lettering on the front cover.
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This version was withdrawn shortly after release, and subsequent sleeves use orange lettering instead.
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The sleeve is fully laminated (front and back) and manufactured by E. J. Day Group, London.
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The laminate typically has a “patents pending” text on the rear flipback edge.
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The top-opening and side-opening laminated sleeves appear depending on the earliest manufacturing batches.
Label Details
The first pressing was issued on the Atlantic “plum & red” label, with several specific identifiers:
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Publishing credits appear as “Superhype Music” for most tracks.
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“Communication Breakdown” is credited to “Jewel Music”, consistent with the earliest label copy.
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The label features the “Polydor Records Ltd.” distribution credit.
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Label misprints on some early copies include:
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The title “Led Zeppelin” positioned lower than on later issues.
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The typography of “Superhype Music” in an unusual spacing format.
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These label features help distinguish the first pressing from later plum/red label reissues, which use different publishing credits and typesetting.
Matrix / Runout Information
The earliest pressings commonly feature the following matrix numbers:
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588171 A//1
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588171 B//1
Hand-etched mother and stamper codes (e.g., 1 1, 1 2, etc.) indicate very early production batches. While later 1969 “orange lettering” sleeves may still carry A//1 and B//1 matrices, only the turquoise-letter jacket combined with these matrices confirms the first pressing package.
Inner Sleeve
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The LP was originally supplied in a poly-lined inner sleeve, typically a plain white die-cut sleeve with a clear poly lining.
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Some copies include “British Patent No. 800513 & 973939” text, consistent with late-1960s UK poly-lined inners.
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Original inners may include a date code printed in small numerals, indicating manufacturing month/year.
Pressing Characteristics
Additional documented traits of the first pressing include:
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Heavy 1960s UK vinyl formulation.
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Deep groove impression around the label area on some earliest discs.
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The Atlantic logo appears with the “full multicolor block” design typical of late-60s UK issues.
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No Warner-related credits appear, as this is prior to the WEA consolidation.
Release Context
Led Zeppelin (1969) was recorded in late 1968, and the UK release preceded the US release by a short interval. Atlantic UK used the plum/red labels only until the early 1970s, making these early color-banded labels an important period marker.
The turquoise-lettering sleeve was replaced almost immediately, likely due to a last-minute design decision at Atlantic, leading to a very limited production window for the original version.
Why Collectors Should Know This Version
While this section remains factual (not persuasive), it is important to note documented reasons why this pressing is historically significant:
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It represents the earliest identifiable UK manufacturing state of Led Zeppelin’s debut album.
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The turquoise sleeve lettering was used only briefly before withdrawal.
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The plum & red labels with Superhype/Jewel Music credits mark the first authorized UK label copy.
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It is one of the few 1960s Atlantic UK releases to exist in multiple withdrawn variations, aiding accurate identification.
Led Zeppelin
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