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A rare and historically significant group of original working drawings from the estate of Richard Drew (Zacron, 1943–2012), the artist behind the iconic rotating sleeve design for Led Zeppelin III. These pieces were acquired directly from the Zacron Estate Auction: The Artist’s Estate Sale of Led Zeppelin’s Iconic Album Cover Artist.
Part of a larger mixed lot, the group includes six sheets numbered S10 9–14, along with a notebook containing further notes and sketches for the project. The drawings appear to relate directly to Lot 12 of the same sale — a single framed sheet (S10 2) which sold for £2,158 (incl. fees). That piece was described as:
"Working Drawing for the Rotating Book, 1966... an early Royal College of Art period working of the idea that ultimately became the rotating pinwheel for his iconic Led Zeppelin album cover."
Upon receiving my lot, it became clear that the sheets in my possession are closely related, both in style and content, to this pivotal concept work — perhaps even forming the rest of the original series, with Lot 12 acting as a kind of title or cover sheet.
Zacron titled the set “One Line and a Box”, as noted on both the individual sheets and within the accompanying notebook. The contents make a compelling case for these works being part of the creative genesis of the Led Zeppelin IIIalbum cover:
Sheet 9 (front page) features tracing paper with bold circular outlines and the handwritten instruction “cut out” — a clear precursor to the spinning holes on the final sleeve.
Sheet 11 references a “man in space outside the wheel”, alongside a cut-out mirroring the exact shape found on the finished album sleeve’s rotating disc.
Sheet 13 contains handwritten notes within concentric circles detailing “birds, animals, fish, skull, dog” — all echoed in the fantastical imagery of the final artwork.
Also included are two larger sheets titled “Order of Presentation”, one being a more developed iteration of the other, listing 48 points. These suggest the concept may have originally been devised as a kinetic art piece — perhaps even a rotating disc within a gatefold book — prior to its adaptation for Led Zeppelin.
In March 2025, I had the pleasure of connecting with Brian Knapp, the current owner of these works, who has since safeguarded the collection.
An extraordinary glimpse into the creative process of one of rock’s most iconic artworks, and a rare opportunity to own a direct link to Zacron’s vision during his time at the Royal College of Art — a time when he was laying the groundwork for a design that would become etched in music history.