Auction for 'one-off' Led Zeppelin album photo

A "real one-off" photograph which inspired the album cover of Led Zeppelin's fourth album could sell for thousands when it goes up for auction later.

A Victorian image of thatcher Lot Long, from Wiltshire, is believed to be the original frame behind the cover art of Led Zeppelin IV, which included the rock band's hit Stairway to Heaven.

The print of the picture, said to be the largest and best quality example found to date, will be put up for sale at an auction house in Horsham, West Sussex on Wednesday, listed at between £1,500 and £2,000.

Leo Denham, managing director of Denhams auctioneers, said: "It's got incredible buzz around it."

Denham added: "There has been a lot of interest from collectors in America and around the world.

"It's a real one-off in music memorabilia."

The origins of the image of Lot Long were first uncovered by Brian Edwards, from the University of the West of England (UWE), in 2023, and the earliest known example of the image is owned by Wiltshire Museum.

Denham said the 19th century print, taken from the original negative of the image, is the largest of its kind.

Art Consultant Tim Williams said: "Two of the known surviving prints are of poor condition and quality but this is the sole known example in the larger size of 60.8 x 44.4cm (29.3 x 17.4 inches), rendering it unique in scale and rarity.

"Its survival in this size places it among the most important extant examples associated with the Led Zeppelin album imagery".

The album cover is believed to have come about after Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant found a version of the image in an antique shop near the home of guitarist Jimmy Page in Pangbourne, Berkshire, and adapted a photograph of it for the album sleeve.

Released in 1971, Led Zeppelin IV has sold more than 37 million copies worldwide.

The photograph will go on auction at about 15:15 GMT on Wednesday.

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