LED ZEPPELIN presence P-10160N

Promo Sample White Label with Obi & Ho-ju-hyo: Led Zeppelin ‘Presence’ LP (P-10160N)
Released in 1976 under the Swan Song label in Japan (Catalog Number: P-10160N), this is an exceptionally rare Promo Sample White Label pressing of Led Zeppelin’s seventh studio album, Presence. This pressing is highly sought after by collectors not only for its promotional status but also because it retains its original obi strip with a very specific, hard-to-find feature: the “Ho-ju-hyo” (補充票), or order/reorder tag. Combined with the pristine audio quality typical of Japanese promo pressings, this represents a top-tier collector’s item from one of rock’s most legendary acts.

The Rarity of the White Label Promo

In the Japanese vinyl market, “Mi-hon-ban” (見本盤) or sample records were strictly manufactured for promotional use by radio stations, music critics, and record store insiders prior to the official commercial release. This copy features the highly coveted solid white label on the vinyl itself, clearly indicating its promotional status. Additionally, the front cover bears the original sample sticker. Promo records are generally pressed earlier in the manufacturing cycle, which many audiophiles believe results in fresher stampers and superior sound quality—a crucial detail for an album like Presence, known for its intricate guitar layering and raw, heavy energy.

The Ho-ju-hyo Obi Strip

What elevates this specific copy to a museum-grade collectible is the presence of the original obi strip complete with the “Ho-ju-hyo” (補充票). The Ho-ju-hyo was a small tag attached to the bottom or back of the obi used by retail stores for stock management and reordering. Typically, record store clerks would tear this tag off when the record was sold. Finding a 1976 Led Zeppelin record where this tag remains perfectly intact is incredibly rare, signaling that this promotional copy was likely never subjected to standard retail handling.

Complete Inserts and Iconic Design

This release preserves the ambitious design conceived by Hipgnosis. The gatefold sleeve features the band’s name and album title subtly embossed on the front cover, with the Swan Song logo embossed on the back. It comes fully complete with all original inserts, including the printed inner sleeve and the Japanese lyric/liner notes insert. From the galloping ferocity of “Achilles Last Stand” to the bluesy depths of “Tea For One,” experiencing this album on an early-generation Japanese promo pressing offers an unmatched analog listening experience.