I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Heaven And Hell A3 / B3 1st press 1980

This first pressing plays with remarkable audio, it is practically 'as new'.  Having played every track in full I can confidently say it would be extremely difficult to find a better version!  I 'heard' only one mega light background tick but that does not qualify as interference!  The clarity, depth, power and resonance of the audio is the finest I have heard and it goes without saying that it is a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.  The vinyl is in beautiful condition and I would not be surprised if it was purchased 44 years ago just to be part of a collection never to be played.  There is no spindle wear on the labels and the sonic quality is just out of this world.

The cover is in superb condition with very minimal wear and the original inner is also in great order.  This is one stunning album!

The A3/B3 is known as one of the early first press variations and has the Essex Music / Muggins Music credit on the labels.

9102752  A // 3▽ ETH  1 1 9

9102752  B // 3 ▽ ETH  1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is visually stunning and still retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even when looking under a bright light I can only find a handful of ultra faint hairlines.  The run out grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are perfect without any spindle wear.  As stated perhaps never played.

Play grading

'Neon Knights' plays with exceptional power and depth through every section and the clarity cannot be faulted either.  Dio's vocal are of course so strong and Iommi's work is of its usual impeccable standard.  Marking a shift in direction and production (Never Say Die did suffer production wise) it could not play any better and Mint is richly deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'Children Of The Sea' plays perfectly and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  As the volume increases the sonic quality is 'as new' and it continues in the same way.  The audio plays with unbelievable depth and separation i.e. each note is so clean and precise.  The next acoustic section plays beautifully with not even a dust tick and the remainder is equal to that.  No ticks, clicks etc this is Mint from start to finish.

'Lady Evil' once again shows how infrequently this vinyl has been played.  The sonic quality is STUNNING and that is helped considerably by Butler's deep bass sound.  The clarity of sound is perfect and this is unequivocally another Mint track. 

The title track 'Heaven And Hell' ends the side with sublime quality, Butler's bass again adding so much to the 'sound'.  The clarity is so close to perfect - I noticed just one very light tick during the mid instrumental section, blink and you miss it!  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and no inner groove distortion either not even on the fast paced end section.  The closing acoustic section plays so clearly with no intrusion and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

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S2 also plays with stunning precision through all the four tracks.  'Wishing Well' is 'as new' with a clarity, power and definition that could not be enhanced in any way.  Mint from start to finish.

'Die Young' impresses on every level and of course there are a couple of quiet sections here - the intro and mid section.  However, they both play without any background, crystal clear audio.  The rest of the track is just as impressive.  Mint

I do not want to sound repetitive but 'Walk Away' plays to the same standard with zero intrusion.  A measure of the clarity is on the long fade out which plays perfectly with not even a dust tick.  Mint

'Lonely Is The Word' ends the album with superlative audio once more.  The sonic quality does not falter in any way, every section plays with sublime clarity.  Iommi's work is very much in evidence here and again the long fade plays perfectly.  A STUNNING version that has to grade as Mint such is the quality.  What an album!

The Cover & Inner

This cover is in lovely condition which is a rarity.  The only 'real' wear is a little rubbing on the bottom right corner, a couple of tiny 'specks' on the bottom edge and a very minor crimp on the opening edge.  The spine is in superb shape and the front and back cover are pristine without any marking.  A stunning example.

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner has only minimal creasing and a little marking around the edges caused by the glue holding the paper and poly-liner together.

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

9102752  A // 3▽ ETH  1 1 9

9102752  B // 3▽ ETH  1 1 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 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

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!