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 : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Vertigo Press 1971 Embossed Box Cover

This first Vertigo pressing plays to an excellent standard overall and as always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grade.  There is a little intrusion but there are certainly no loud clicks or pops and overall the clarity of sound is very impressive.  The vinyl does have some marking in one area on S2 so if you are after a pristine looking record then this is not the one for you.  Appearances can often be deceiving so if you are after a genuine first press with a superb box cover that plays very clearly for the vast majority then you will be happy!  'Solitude' for example has some light static but overall plays very clearly indeed.

The laminated 'box' cover is one of the best I have seen in a long while and it remains strong and firm, it has very much kept its original shape and structure.  The original Vertigo inner (0671) is present and VG is fair.  The original poster is long gone sadly.

6360050  1Y//1▽ 420 1  1 9   04

6360050  2Y//1▽ 420 1 2 9   04

The audio on S1 is Near Mint- (T3 Ex+ / T4 intro VG & quiet end section VG+)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ / Near Mint / Ex / Near Mint-

The 'box' cover is Ex

The original Vertigo inner sleeve is VG

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

S1 of the vinyl is in excellent condition with some light hairlines only and S2 is very good with some hairlines and a handful of thumbnail type marks mainly in one area that are more obvious.  One is longer but the good news is that they are superficial as they have no obvious affect on the audio.  They cannot be classified as scratches.  There is no groove or surface wear and the Vertigo labels are very clean with only minimal spindle wear on S1 and barely any on S2.

Play grading

The intro on 'Sweet Leaf' is deep and strong with only a couple of barely audible statics and Ozzy's opening vocal is the same.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the next verse has no intrusion either.  The long instrumental passage has one static tick near the start, it's not really a click in my opinion, and then the remainder of this section plays with stunning quality.  Iommi's at the forefront of course but Ward isn't far behind!  The percussion is so high in the mix and it sounds fantastic!  Each beat is so strong and well defined.  The final vocal section has no interference and there is only the lightest of static right at the end of the fade out.  Overall I believe Near Mint- is fair.

The build up intro on 'After Forever' has only minimal light static right at the start and then plays perfectly.  The first classic riff is just as strong and the opening verse has no intrusion either.  It continues to play outstanding clarity and definition and there is no distortion on the top end.  This is without doubt one of Iommi's finest riffs, no argument!  I noticed one static tick during the instrumental towards the end and then the final verse plays with sublime clarity - the high octane finish is superb and the fade out has no background.  Again I think Near Mint- is a fair reflection of the audio.

The very brief 'Embryo' plays very clearly but with a little static distortion which is very common.  Apart from the first half a second it is hardly intrusive and Ex+ is about right.

The intro on 'Children Of The Grave' does have a little crackle and a couple of clicky sounds but the playback is stunning once the volume increases.  Ozzy's opening vocal section is equally as strong and it continues to play with incredible audio!  Deep, resonant, powerful and menacing in that classic Sabbath style there is no interference and the mid instrumental is superb.  The final vocal is crystal clear and the closing section with Ward again going ballistic (!) plays so well and the quiet end section has only a little static light static with only a couple of more obvious ticks right at the end.  I'll say the intro is VG and the ending VG+ abut the main 'part' of this classic is Near Mint- at the very least.

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'Orchid' plays very clearly with very little background.  There are a small number of very quiet background statics and a handful of slightly more obvious ticks at the end.  Ex+

The intro on 'Lord Of This World' is stunning!  The power and depth is off the chart and the opening two verses are practically the same with only 3/4 very quiet statics.  The mid instrumental is again so strong and clear and the 'chorus' is faultless with no distortion.  The final verse / instrumental with Ward and Butler very much in evidence is phenomenal - again the down-tuned sound could not be any more impressive.  The fade has barely any background also.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Solitude' has only minimal light static and Ozzy's first delicate vocal plays beautifully with very little background.  The instrumental bridge has some light static only and the second verse / bridge play with great clarity.  The final verse is very similar and from start to finish there are no intrusive ticks, clicks or pops.  The quiet end section / 'tinkling' percussion plays very clearly with hardly any background.  I can't quite decide on Ex or Ex+ so I'll settle on the former just to play it safe.

The intro on 'Into The Void' plays with tremendous power and depth and there is zero interference.  There is only a minimal amount of distortion on the first vocal - this seems to be a common theme as I always seem to mention it with this track.  Down to how it was recorded / produced or just inner groove distortion?  The second vocal is similar - don't get me wrong it is only minor and hardly intrusive.  Perhaps a little more obvious on the next vocal and it has to be said the instrumental sections play with stunning quality.  The final vocal is very strong and relatively clear and the closing instrumental is STUNNING!  Overall this is Near Mint- as there is no background other than a little inner groove distortion on the vocal.

The Embossed Box Cover & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The fully laminated 'box' cover is in excellent condition and has retained its original shape extremely well.  I have placed two pieces of cardboard inside and that has definitely helped with that.  For once there is hardly any 'angling' of the spines and they all remain very clean with only a small number of laminate creases.  The top spine is only very slightly raised.  The corners are very clean also with hardly any wear and the front cover is in excellent order with just some small laminate creases around the edges, one crease line above the first 'B' and only minimal laminate lift next to the right edge.  The back cover has no edge creases but there is some more obvious laminate lift by the right edge.  A fine example overall though.

The original Vertigo inner (date coded 0671) has one 8cm side split but only minimal marking and light creasing only.  The poly-lining has been lost over time so I have replaced it with a new inner.

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

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

6360050  1Y//1▽ 420 1  1 9   04

6360050  2Y//1▽ 420 1 2 9   04

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 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!!

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

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LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 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!!