Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 2nd Press

This second pressing on the Vertigo label is stunning!  It has to be the most impressive version I have ever sold as the clarity, depth and power throughout is truly exceptional!  There is only one click and a light tick on S1 but aside from that the sonic quality cannot be faulted.  This is a record that has hardly been played and that is reflected in the audio, the stunning visual quality of the vinyl and the total lack of spindle wear.  It is a genuine FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in my opinion.

The iconic gatefold has only minimal shelf wear on the edges and the front and back cover and the inside are in fantastic condition with no marking.  This version has the band member and production/publishing credits printed in lower case.  The original swirl inner is also in fantastic condition.

As this is a genuine second press it has the large 'Swirl' logo above the spindle hole and has VERTIGO written below Black Sabbath at the bottom of the label.  The matt cover still has Ozzy incorrectly spelt as Ossie on the inside.

This is from the same home as the Paranoid (Big Bear version) that I am selling.  That LP is also in fantastic condition!

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 1 4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 9   

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint but Mint- for 99%!)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint

The original swirl inner is Near Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is in BEAUTIFUL condition and to say it looks 'as new' is not an exaggeration!  I have never seen one as 'clean' as this and it has the most immaculate jet-black glossy sheen you could ever wish to find.  It goes without saying there are no marks or scratches and I can only detect a couple of ultra faint hairlines on Side B.  The grooves are pristine and the run out grooves are exactly the same.  The large swirl Vertigo labels are stunning and have no marking or writing and as stated there is no spindle wear either.  It doesn't get much better thank this!

Play grading  

There is no static on the run in as you set the needle down so you are certainly expecting good things here!  The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is then as 'clean' as I have ever heard with no 'background', not even a dust tick, and 'as new' is an honest description.  Iommi's introduction is equally as impressive and Osborne's first vocal and accompanying audio is of the same 'high end' standard.  It continues to play with a incredible sonic quality and the only interference I found was one click followed by a tick in the quiet middle section.  This is slightly annoying as I could not determine a cause and is literally the only intrusion across the entire track.  Aside from that the quiet sections play with unbelievable clarity with not so much as a dust tick and the louder passages with a definition and power that is STUNNING!  The up tempo end section could not play any better and rounds off this classic in supreme style with all all encompassing power and no distortion at all.  This would be Mint but for the two 'imperfections' but wow the rest of the audio!  I will grade as Near Mint but 99% is Mint without a doubt.

There is complete silence in the dead wax and then the intro on 'The Wizard' is crystal clear with no 'background'.  This entire section is Mint with not one iota of interference and this quality is more than maintained as Ozzy enters the scene.  It continues to play with breathtaking precision and already I am running out of superlatives for the quality of the audio on offer here!  From start to finish this is Mint and I can honestly say I have never heard better.

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is of the same immaculate standard with no interference of any kind.  As always I have listened to every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading and every section plays with sublime clarity and definition.  Each note is so sharp and precise and that includes the percussive end section.  Mint

The bass intro on 'N.I.B.' is as perfect as it would have been when first played over 50 years ago!  Again not one dust tick!  As Iommi comes in the audio is flawless and the first vocal is equally as strong.  It continues to play with wonderful quality and for once there is no inner groove distortion.  This has a depth and power that you only find on the first/early Vertigo pressings and there are just no negatives.  The end solo is mesmerising - turn this up to max, shut your eyes and transport yourself back to the halcyon days of doom metal when the phrase wasn't even invented!  This is MINT in every way and provides a stunning finish to the side.

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The intro on 'Evil Woman...' could not play any better and as Ozzy comes in there is no let up in quality.  From then onwards it plays perfectly with no intrusion and even the fade out has not a single dust tick.  This is a Mint start to the side.

The acoustic intro and first verse on 'Sleeping Village' are 'as new', I can pay it no higher compliment, and as Iommi's distinctive sound comes in the playback is out of this world!  I just played it back and in all honesty I was hearing things I have never heard before, that is a measure of the clarity we have here!  The audio definition is stunning and again there is no 'background' - this entire instrumental section plays with phenomenal accuracy and has lost none of its original sonic quality.  Even Iommi's final extended note has no 'background' and once again this grades as Mint - what a version!

The heavy bass/guitar intro on 'Warning' plays to perfection as do the opening verses.  This classic continues to play with stunning precision - every vocal is 'as new' and the percussive section on the three minute mark plays to the highest standard possible.  You know the following quiet section?  Totally silent it is!  The instrumental section then plays with imperious quality with, you guessed it, no interference just pure unadulterated Mint audio.  The clarity, power and depth during this entire section is unbelievably good - Iommi's stand alone solos play perfectly and all of the 'silent' sections are exactly that, silent.  The 'louder' section that introduces the final section is faultless as is the final verse.  This truly is an exceptional version and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as it could not play with any greater clarity or definition.

In summary this very collectable second pressing plays to a FANTASTIC standard and is probably the finest example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  I hope I have adequately put into words just how impressive the audio is here - in essence this would be Mint on both sides but for that one click on S1!  I am sure it's just a pressing issue as there is certainly nothing visible on the vinyl to suggest a reason.  As stated previously this is a record that has hardly been played and that is confirmed by the quality of the audio, the immaculate visual sheen of the vinyl and that there is no obvious spindle wear.  The quiet sections play beautifully and there is no distortion on the top end either - the sonic quality throughout is just STUNNING in every way!  In my opinion a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic and I am convinced the winning bidder will think the same.

The Gatefold & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The matt textured cover is in lovely condition and certainly one of the best I have seen.  It has retained its shape so well and remains very strong and robust which can only be because it has been very carefully handled down the years.  The top edges are in perfect condition and whilst the bottom edges do have some rubbing it has not affected their strength.  The wide spine is in near perfect with barely any corner wear and of course remains 100% legible.  The right hand corners are also very clean with only minimal wear and the opening edge is very strong and has only a little 'crimping'.  The front cover is immaculate with no marking and the back cover is just as good.  The inside of the gatefold is so 'clean' and definitely one of the best I have seen.  There is none of the fading/spotting that you so often see and has only a couple of small creases on the right panel near the edge.  It is stunning!

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in superb condition with no side splits or tears and hardly any marking either - not often seen the light of day I reckon!  There is only very minimal age related fading on the top edge and only minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 1 4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 9

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

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LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

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