A "real one-off" photograph which inspired the album cover of Led Zeppelin's fourth album has sold for £16,000 after a transatlantic bidding war.

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, sold for nearly £15,000 more than it was originally listed for when it was auctioned in Horsham, West Sussex, earlier.

Leo Denham, managing director of Denhams auctioneers, said: "There has been a lot of interest from collectors in America and around the world."

Denham added: "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 buyer is very pleased with his purchase, where it will take pride of place in his collection.

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

Denham said "fierce bidding" between prospective buyers in the UK and America had driven the price up.

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 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.

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