1973 LED ZEPPELIN Photos Up For Auction

According to a posting on the LED ZEPPELIN fan site Achilles Last Stand, 56 black-and-white negatives, a corresponding set of prints and two contact sheets, taken by Bengt H. Malmqvist, are up for auction at Bonhams U.K. as part of an entertainment memorabilia auction beginning June 23.

Pre-auction estimates are £20,000 - 25,000.

The lot contains the following footnote:

"At the beginning of March 1973, LED ZEPPELIN arrived in Scandinavia at the start of a European tour. What must have been one of the most bizarre events involving the band (even by their standards!) was a reception held at Stockholm's leading sex club, the Chat Noir.

"It is believed that it was Peter Grant who suggested to Metronome Records, the Swedish company representing Atlantic, that this be staged at such a venue.

"During the proceedings, which included a naked couple performing on a small stage, the band was presented with a number of gold album sales awards. According to Börje Ekberg, head of Metronome, Bengt H. Malmqvist (1928-2008),one of Sweden's leading record sleeve photographers in the 1950s and 1960s, was the only photographer invited to record the occasion.

"The great majority of these images are previously unseen. One was recently published in the book 'De Legendariska Åren - Metronome Records' and a few images are thought to have appeared in a Swedish men's magazine at the time.

"This unique collection has never been offered before and comprises all images taken on the day.

"Sold with the photographer's copyright. "

For more information, visit Bonhams.com.