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

This second pressing is practically 'as new' and that is no exaggeration!  Having played it in full I can confidently say the audio is stunning in every regard and there is just momentary dull sounding click on S1.  The clarity, depth and power is outstanding - S1 is so close to perfect and S2 is indeed perfect!  Rarely do you find sonic quality such as this and there is no distortion either.  I have sold a number of these down the years but this may well be the finest second pressing that I have ever listened to.  Not surprisingly the vinyl is also in great condition also and there are still some vinyl 'flecks' around the S2 spindle hole!

The cover is in excellent condition overall with only little wear - much less than usual!  It is every so slightly wavy but as described below this is not a big problem as it is only minor.  The original Swirl inner is in fantastic condition!

This second pressing has the large Swirl logo on the S2 label and VERTIGO is just slightly to the left of BLACK SABBATH above it.  The band member and production credits on the inside are in capital letters and it omits the composition and publishing credits.  Ossie Osborne is incorrectly spelt and it now has 'Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings..' correctly written.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420   1 3  4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420   1 2  1 6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Near Mint

Visual description

This vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with scratches.  Under a strong light I can only see a small number of very faint hairlines with only a couple of small ones that are just a little more obvious.  There is no groove wear and the run out grooves are also very clean.  The Vertigo labels are super clean and have only a little spindle wear.  There is still some vinyl 'flecking' around the S2 label!

Play grading  

The classic opening track 'Black Sabbath' plays with STUNNING quality throughout.  The 'thunderstorm' / tolling bells intro has NO background not even a solitary dust tick and the clarity of sound is phenomenal.  Shut your eyes and imagine yourself stood outside a graveyard on a dark December UK night!!  Iommi's introduction is just as impressive as is the following quiet section.  Osbourne's first vocal is of the same high end standard and already I am running out of superlatives!  It continues in the same precise way with literally no background - the playback is 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment.  Every quiet section plays like it was pressed only yesterday and the more powerful section have that familiar deep, menacing Sabbath sound.  As the tempo and volume increase the sonic quality is just as strong - it plays with exceptional power and definition and there is no distortion on the top end.  The final vocal and instrumental are flawless and there is no background on the fade out either.  This is the definitive version and Mint is very much deserved.

With complete silence in the dead wax the harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' has just one dull sounding click in the second silent 'moment' but has no other intrusion.  As Ward and co join in the audio is perfect and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  From then on it plays with sublime power and depth and there are no negatives.  Every vocal and instrumental passage play with such precision and I cannot emphasise enough just how clean and strong the audio is.  Another perfect fade out also.  I will grade the intro as Ex+ but the remainder is Mint for sure.

The entire intro on 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' plays with imperious quality and Osbourne's opening vocal has no background either.  It proceeds to play with a sonic quality that is second to none and again 'as new' is the correct terminology.  The power, definition and resonance of the audio is breath-taking and the final vocal and then Ward's percussion close this track with faultless audio.  This is Mint from start to finish.

The iconic bass intro from Butler on 'N.I.B.' has not even a solitary dust tick and as Iommi comes in the playback is just as good.  Osbourne's first vocal section is flawless and it continues to play with exceptional quality and... no interference.  This being the final track you might expect some inner groove distortion but not here!  The clarity is definition is 100% perfect and the mid instrumental is on that same level also.  The end vocal and instrumental work play with remarkable precision and again I cannot praise this version highly enough.  The most 'complete' Mint version that you could wish to hear.

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'Evil Woman...' plays with superb audio from the get go.  The intro and opening verse are flawless and you really notice the depth of sound here in no small measure assisted by Butler's bass.  It continues to plays with sublime quality and provides so many reasons why the first / early Vertigo pressings are so collectable - the sonic quality is on another level compared to any later pressings / reissues.  From beginning to end there is zero background and Mint sums it up perfectly.

The acoustic intro on 'Sleeping Village' is 'as new' and Osbourne's opening vocal is just as clean.  The first powerful section keeps up this fine start and again the depth of the audio is mind-blowing!  The rhythm section of Ward and Butler really come into their own during the long instrumental section and Iommi is quite impressive also!  Each note is so clean and precise and the power is just off the scale, the long final drawn out has no intrusion either.  This is Mint in every way. 

The heavy bass / guitar intro on 'Warning' is perfect and the first vocal is just as strong.  The following instrumental section is faultless and again Butler's bass is very much to the fore - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound at all - pure clean and clinical perfect audio.  The next vocal and percussive / instrumental section are faultless and the brief 'silence' is exactly that, totally silent.  It continues in the same exact way with not even a single tick and this truly is audio of the highest calibre.  There is nothing 'getting in the way' of the listening experience not even during the quieter moments.  Iommi's stand alone section could not be any better, just a couple of barely audible dust ticks, and as the volume increases there is no distortion on the top end.  Osbourne's final vocal has no background and right to the last note this 10 minute classic plays with genuine quality.  What a version!  So often I'll find a version that plays really and then I find a tick or a click but that is not the case here, it is Mint from start to finish.  Another definitive version.

In summary this second pressing is as close to perfect as you will find.  With just one millisecond of interference on S1 the clarity, depth and power of the audio is outstanding and let's be honest it plays far better than most records pressed today.  The definition and warmth of the audio is why these Vertigo pressings are so collectable and when you find one as clean as this the sonic quality is greatly enhanced.  In conjunction with a very impressive cover this will add to any collection.

The Gatefold & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

This iconic matt textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The edges are so clean with only a little rubbing next to the corners and the wide spine remains strong and clean with only light wear on the bottom corner and even less at the top.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge has clearly not been handled very much and has only a couple of minor 'waves'.  The front cover is unmarked and has only a couple of very minor 'undulations' and the back cover is very clean also but again is slightly wavy in a couple of places due to being a little damp at some point I guess.  It's not a major issue and not obvious when you look at it.  The inside of the gatefold for once is very clean with only a small number of white specks / marks and minimal 'spotting' along the top and bottom edge.  A very respectable example overall and 'cleaner' than so many you see today.

The original poly-lined swirl inner (dated 0470) is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, barely any marking and only very minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

VO 6   1Y * 1   420   1 3  4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420   1 2  1 6

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 MAY 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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!