A classic rock rarity with incredible provenance and quality--a Rock Grail of the highest order!Terrific 10" x 8" glossy original black and white photograph featuring the band in their playing prime during their 1977 tour, as captured by renowned rock photo journalist Chuck Pulin. This photo has been handsomely signed by all four members: Robert Plant (Inscribed, "To Adrian Best Wishes"), Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and the legendary John Bonham. Plant has signed in black felt tip, with the other three members signing in black ballpoint pen. Along the back side of the photo is Chuck Pulin's official copyright stampings, and the piece is well preserved and in overall fine condition.
The "Adrian" that Plant has inscribed to is one Mr. Adrian Johnson, who has provided a detailed Letter of Provenance explaining that the signatures on the photo were obtained for him during a break in the tour in 1977 by his uncle, who at the time was handling the high profile divorce for Zep's manager, Peter Grant. Remarkably, the uncle obtained two signed photos, giving one to Adrian, and the other to his brother Paul. This The “sister photo” (given to Paul) sold through Iconic in September 2021. To date, these are the only two examples known to exist of fully-signed Led Zeppelin photos from their historic 1977 U.S. Tour.
While it is known that other iconic bands like the Beatles and Rolling Stones have signed hundreds of photos during their playing days, Zeppelin was by contrast more inaccessible and, in turn, signed photographs are amazingly scarce, with this being one of just a few known authentic examples to surface in the market. Furthermore, by 1977, Led Zeppelin were the biggest band in the world. Access to them was virtually impossible. As a result, full autograph sets – on anything – by the four members of Led Zeppelin obtained during their final U.S. tour in 1977, are virtually non-existent. Indeed this signed photo is a white whale in the world of Zeppelin autographs.
The photo comes with its original cardboard envelope with ‘R Cole’ written in an orange colored photographer’s grease pencil. R Cole denotes Richard Cole, longtime tour manager of Led Zeppelin. Cole has written ‘For Martin Wood’ (Adrian’s uncle) in blue ballpoint.
Accompanied by Adrian Johnson's Letter of Provenance along with a full Letter of Authenticity from music autograph authority Tracks UK, as well as a full Letter of Authenticity from music autograph authority Roger Epperson/REAL Authentication.