Original artwork of Led Zeppelin’s maiden album to be auctioned

Led Zeppelin’s authentic artwork for the cover of the rock band’s 1969 eponymous debut album is
set to be auctioned in June. Designed by George Hardie, it was based on photographer Sam Shere’s renowned 1937 picture of the Hindenburg disaster, depicting a Zeppelin turning into flames, reports aceshowbiz.com. “In terms of rarity, this is a unique object – I don’t think you can get rarer than that,” Peter Klarnet, a senior specialist of the Books and Manuscripts department at auction house Christie’s, told Rolling Stone. The piece was designed by Hardie during his student days at the Royal College of Art in London after his friend, the photographer Stephen Goldblatt, had suggested him to the band members. It is reported that the band paid Hardie $75 for the piece. Hardie designed the album covers for bands such as Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and Wings.