Led Zeppelin IV album photo sells for £16k in Horsham auction

A rare photograph that served as the inspiration for the cover of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album recently fetched £16,000 following an intense bidding contest spanning both sides of the Atlantic. This Victorian-era image depicts Lot Long, a thatcher from Wiltshire, and is widely believed to be the original source behind the iconic album art featuring the legendary rock band’s hit “Stairway to Heaven.”

The particular print sold is reportedly the largest and highest quality known copy of the image, significantly exceeding its initial auction estimate by nearly £15,000. The auction took place in Horsham, West Sussex, attracting considerable interest from collectors globally, especially in the United States.

Leo Denham, managing director at Denhams auctioneers, commented on the sale: “There has been a lot of interest from collectors in America and around the world.” He further expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am delighted to have sold such a significant piece of music history and got such a great result for the seller.” The new UK-based owner is evidently proud to have acquired such a meaningful artifact, which Denham described as “a real one-off in music memorabilia.” He also noted that “fierce bidding” between buyers in the UK and America helped drive the price upward.

The image’s origins were first uncovered in 2023 by Brian Edwards from the University of the West of England (UWE). According to Edwards, the earliest surviving example of this photograph is held by the Wiltshire Museum. Denham highlighted that the print is taken from the original negative and is notable for its size, measuring 60.8 by 44.4 cm (approximately 29.3 by 17.4 inches). Art consultant Tim Williams emphasized the print’s uniqueness, saying, “Two of the known surviving prints are of poor condition and quality but this is the sole known example in the larger size … rendering it unique in scale and rarity.” Williams further described it as one of the most significant surviving examples tied to the Led Zeppelin album’s visual history.

The creation of the album cover reportedly stemmed from lead singer Robert Plant discovering a version of the image in an antique shop near guitarist Jimmy Page’s residence in Pangbourne, Berkshire. Inspired by this find, Plant adapted the photograph for the album sleeve. Since its release in 1971, Led Zeppelin IV has achieved phenomenal success, selling over 37 million copies worldwide

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