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Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 2nd Press Vertigo 1970 (Capital letters)

This very early second pressing plays to a superb standard with only minimal intrusion.  There are no clicks or pops and the only obvious interference is some light static / three or four light ticks on the 'N.I.B.' intro.  This classic debut album begins with a stunning version of 'Black Sabbath' - it would be hard to find a better sounding 'thunderstorm'!  The 10 minute 'Warning' on S2 also plays with exceptional quality.  There are of course so many quiet sections and yet the clarity is so impressive.  Yes there are a number of hairlines on the record but the clarity, depth and power of the audio belie the visual quality - I am always honest with my grading and provide a 'complete' description of every track and I am sure the winning bidder will not be disappointed with the sonic quality here.

The famous cover is in excellent condition and is very clean and strong.  It has retained its original shape and structure with no bending or creasing and the inside of the gatefold is in remarkable condition.  In my opinion the photos make it look 'less clean' than it is because they do show up a couple of fingerprint marks quite vividly.  I've rarely seen one as impressive as this and as it is such an early one it has the capital letters on the inside.  The Vertigo inner sleeve may not be the original as it is dated 0671 and it is in very good condition.

This second pressing has the large swirl logo and BLACK SABBATH is written just slightly to the right above VERTIGO.  On the inside the cover now reads 'Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings...' and the band and production credits are in CAPITAL letters.  There are no composition or publishing credits.  Ozzy Osbourne is still spelt as Ossy Osborne.  The matrix is still 1Y1/2Y1 as per the first pressing.

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 9  1 5

VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T1 Mint- / T4 intro VG+ then Ex+)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (T3 ranges between Near Mint- and Near Mint)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The Vertigo inner sleeve is VG

The Vertigo labels are Ex++

Visual description

The vinyl is in very good condition and it's a case of the audio being better than its visual quality.  It is certainly not in poor condition as there are no scratches but there are some hairlines on each side.  However, the audio shows that these marks / hairlines are purely superficial because sonically it is so strong.  Vinyl from this era is known for its durability and I repeat there are no actual scratches!  Looking at the vinyl under 'normal' lighting it is visually very impressive and you only notice the hairlines when you look at it under a bright light.  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and the iconic Vertigo labels are very clean with only some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

Play grading

The classic tolling bell / thunderstorm intro on 'Black Sabbath' plays with stunning clarity, there is no background, and Iommi's first introduction is equally as impressive.  The typical depth and power very much in evidence and then the the following quiet section including Ozzy's opening vocal section is nigh on perfect i.e. no interference and only a 3/4 barely audible statics and I very much mean barely audible!  Ward's percussion and Butler's deep bass adding their usual gravitas and Ozzy's Oh no has never sounded better!  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the next vocal section is as, prec good as the first.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static nothing getting in the way.  As you get into the classic end section the playback is phenomenal - laced with depth and power there is no background and Iommi's solo is so clean and succinct - there is no distortion and to the end it plays with such precision.  In my opinion Mint- is deserved here, what a start!

A little static in the dead wax and then Ozzy's harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' then plays so clearly as does the next section when Butler and Ward come in.  There is just a minor touch of distortion on Iommi's first section but I only mention it to be 'complete' with my grading, it really is a minor issue.  The next instrumental passage is stunning and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and again there are no ticks, clicks etc.  The playback is so clean and deep and there is no static distortion here.  The instrumental towards the end is a fine example of that and the final vocal / instrumental are just as impressive.  I will grade this as Near Mint and I do hope I haven't under-graded it!

The intro on 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is very clean and powerful with barely any static distortion and Ozzy's opening vocal is faultless.  From then on it plays to such a high standard and with no intrusion.  Perhaps not quite 10/10 clarity and definition but a superb solid 9.8/10 if you get what I mean.  The sonic quality is still hugely impressive and the end vocal / percussive outro could hardly play any better, just a couple of mega quiet ticks.  Another Near Mint track.

The bass intro on 'N.I.B.' does play with some light background static and 3/4 light static ticks towards the end so not perfect but still an impressive listen.  As Iommi joins in there is only minimal static distortion and the opening vocal section is actually very clean.  The playback here is stunning and it continues in much the same way.  There is no more of the static distortion type sound - back to that deep, strong and rich Sabbath sound.  The mid instrumental section is phenomenal and you can blast it up to max and there is barely any distortion!  The next vocal is again so strong and clear and the remainder of this total classic more than keeps up the standard.  I will grade the intro as VG+ and the rest is Ex+ at the very least, probably better than that in many sections.

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The intro on 'Evil Woman...' plays perfectly and Ozzy's first verse along with Butler's deep bass for company plays with stunning quality also.  The first chorus and next verse are of the same standard and the following instrumental has just one minor tick near the start.  The next vocal has no interference and the remainder is just as clean as is the fade out.  A Near Mint version.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays with great clarity and Ozzy's opening vocal is so close to that with only a couple of barely audible statics.  Don't know why I mention them really!  Iommi's powerful section then plays to with tremendous power and definition, can't fault it.  Superb!  There is no background and the depth and resonance of the audio is high end - the instrumental just after Butler's quick bass section is STUNNING and 'as new' pretty much sums it up.  There is just a hint of light static on Iommi's final long note so I will say Near Mint but it's certainly a case of the majority being even stronger than that.

The 'bass' intro on 'Warning' has no intrusion and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  The following instrumental again plays with impeccable clarity and depth and it does exemplify just important Butler was to their 'sound'.  The next vocal is flawless and as Ward signals the start of the long instrumental passage the playback is quite simply perfect.  As it descends into near silence there is no background and the next section is so strong with no distortion.  It continues in the same precise - Iommi working his usual magic and the sonic quality is phenomenal!  During his next stand alone solo there is barely any distortion and the audio is very clean indeed with no ticks, clicks etc.  The next 'silence' is totally silent and Iommi's next 'downtuned' section is immense!  As the volume increases there is no drop in quality and Ozzy's final vocal, preceded by Butler's bass section, plays very clearly with barely any distortion again and the brief closing instrumental is superb.  It's rare for this classic to plays with no ticks, clicks or pops, especially on such an early pressing, and I would say it ranges between Near Mint- and Near Mint which is perhaps not much of a distinction but it's one worth making.  A stunning version regardless. 

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

This iconic early cover is in great condition when you consider how often they are found.  It has remained very clean and the top edges have hardly any rubbing.  There is a little more on the bottom edges but it doesn't stand out and kind of blends in with the colouring anyway.  The spine is in great shape with only a couple of small 'rubs' and a little wear on the bottom corner.  The top corner is very clean, the right hand corners just light wear and the opening edge has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover is true to its original 'look' with no marking as such, you only notice the small corner rubs, and the back cover is very similar.  However, you could say the real stand out feature is the inside of the gatefold - it is STUNNING!  It is regularly found with a lot of marking / fading / spotting but this interior is in lovely condition with no obvious marking - just some minor specks and a little spotting along the bottom edge but you have to look closely in order to see it!  Overall a superb example of this cover and definitely worthy of an Ex grade.

The poly-lined inner inner sleeve (dated 0671) has a small split on each side and some age related fading around the edges.  A little creasing also so I can only grade it as VG really.  As stated I'm not sure it's the original one either.

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

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 9  1 5

VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

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Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

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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!!

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 : £22.95 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!!