BLACK SABBATH 1st ALBUM, 1970 UK VERTIGO BIG SWIRL

	£		80
	$		106

betsy50 store

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the iconic self-titled first studio album by BLACK SABBATH, Catalogue Number VO 6. This is an ORIGINAL 1970 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the VERTIGO SWIRL RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st issue matt finish Keef designed gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue Vertigo Swirl inner sleeve.

It is important to explain the differences between genuine 1st pressings of Black Sabbath and later pressings/re-issues. The following is a list of 1st press features:

·        the 1st press vinyl tends to be heavier and more rigid than later pressings

·        both sides have matrix numbers ending in 1 (later pressings have matrix numbers ending in 2)

·        the Side B label has a large Vertigo Swirl logo (42mm diameter) as opposed to the smaller 31mm diameter logo of later pressings

·        the VERTIGO print on the Side B label is at the bottom of the label rather than under the Swirl logo as on later pressings

·        the P1970 date text on the Side B label is above 33? rather than underneath as on later pressings

·        the band and production credits inside the cross on the right side of the opening gatefold spread are printed in capital letters, rather than small letters as on later sleeves (Ozzie is also mis-spelt as ‘Ossie’ on early sleeves) 

The album for auction here has all of these features, confirming that it is a genuine 1st issue, and therefore a very important album indeed!

The matt finish gatefold sleeve, photographed and designed by Keef, is in EX condition with only very light wear and minor creasing. You can see from the photos that this is a very well preserved sleeve indeed. I think it will be very difficult to find a better example. 

The top quality Vertigo record is solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. Both sides retain a deep mirror-like shine and the playing surfaces are beautifully clean. 

The Matrix Numbers and Stampers are:

Side A – VO 6   1Y * 1   420   1 2    1  3

Side B – VO 6   2Y * 1   420   1 2    1

The record is visually in EX condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal/sleeve rub type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and of no audio significance whatsoever. The Vertigo Swirl labels are unmarked with only a few spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality Vertigo pressing which plays with outstanding sound quality. The bass in particular is very impressive. Both sides play perfectly. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. You simply will not find a significantly better-playing 1st press copy of this seminal album – I guarantee it!

Complete with the correct poly-lined Vertigo Swirl inner sleeve which is also in EX condition.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £41 value - £9.95

Europe over £41 value - £12.45

Worldwide up to £41 value - £13.30

Worldwide over £41 value - £15.80

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs

I do not make a profit on international postage – Royal Mail international postage charges went up significantly on 6th April 2010. If you are not happy with the international postage costs above – please do not bid.