BLACK SABBATH SELF TITLED EARLY 1970S Green label WS 1871

$

140

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Catalog Number: WS 1871

Country: United States

Format: 12” Vinyl LP, Stereo

Year: 1970 (Early U.S. Pressing)

Vinyl Color: Black

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IDENTIFIERS

• Front Cover: Original artwork featuring the iconic figure in front of the mill house; Warner Bros. shield logo at upper right with catalog number “1871”.

• Back Cover: Tracklist and credits in small white box; credits include Tony Iommi, John Osbourne (Ozzy), Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.

• Inner Sleeve: Original Warner Bros. “Loss Leaders” promotional sleeve with WB artist silhouettes and bird design—period correct.

• Labels: Yellow Warner Bros. label with perimeter text: “Warner Bros. Records Inc., A Subsidiary and Licensee…”

• Matrix/Deadwax: Hand-etched WS-1871 (visible in photos). No Artisan stamp visible here, indicating an early but not first mastering variant.

• Track Differences: U.S. edition includes “Wicked World” instead of “Evil Woman,” confirming it as the U.S. tracklist.

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TRACK LISTING

Side One:

1. Black Sabbath

2. The Wizard

3. Wasp

4. Behind the Wall of Sleep

5. Bassically

6. N.I.B.

Side Two:

1. Wicked World

2. A Bit of Finger

3. Sleeping Village

4. Warning

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PRESSING INFORMATION

• This is an early 1970s U.S. pressing on the yellow Warner Bros. label (green label with W7 logo came first).

• While not the very first U.S. pressing, this copy remains a desirable early variant, particularly with the original WB promotional inner sleeve intact.

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CONDITION ASSESSMENT

• Jacket: VG (Very Good) – noticeable corner wear and top seam wear with paper loss on one corner; moderate ring wear.

• Vinyl: VG+ (Very Good Plus) visually – retains gloss with light surface marks; no deep scratches evident from photos.

• Labels: Clean with minimal spindle wear.

• Inner Sleeve: Original, with wrinkles and some age discoloration.

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COLLECTIBILITY FACTORS

Iconic debut album widely regarded as the birth of heavy metal.

Original Warner Bros. early pressing with yellow label (not a modern reissue).

Includes correct early promotional inner sleeve.

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1970, this self-titled debut by Black Sabbath is widely credited as the origin point for heavy metal. Its dark, heavy riffs, occult themes, and Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting vocals redefined rock music. This album’s cultural influence is monumental—considered by many to be the album that started an entire genre.