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Rare Photo Inspiring Led Zeppelin IV Album Art Up For Bid
25 Feb
Summary
- A Victorian photograph of Lot Long is expected to sell for thousands.
- The print is believed to be the original frame behind the Led Zeppelin IV cover.
- The album Led Zeppelin IV sold over 37 million copies worldwide.
A significant piece of music memorabilia, a Victorian photograph of Lot Long from Wiltshire, is heading to auction. This image is widely considered the inspiration for the album cover of Led Zeppelin IV, an album released in 1971 that has sold over 37 million copies globally. The print, described as the largest and best quality example discovered to date, is anticipated to sell for between £1,500 and £2,000 at an upcoming auction.
The origins of the photograph were identified in 2023 by researchers. Experts have highlighted the exceptional condition and large scale of this particular print, noting its rarity compared to other known examples. Led Zeppelin's lead singer, Robert Plant, is said to have found a version of the image in an antique shop, subsequently adapting it for the sleeve of the band's seminal fourth album.
The auction is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Denhams auctioneers in Horsham, West Sussex. Collectors worldwide, particularly from America, have shown considerable interest in this unique item. The photograph will be available for bidding around 15:15 GMT.
