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Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 2nd Vertigo Press 1970

This very early pressing plays to a superb standard with very little intrusion.  The clarity overall is very impressive with no clicks or pops and only minimal light static in a couple of tracks.  The title track has a handful of very light ticks but they are not intrusive, definitely not clicks!  The power and depth of the audio is stunning and for a genuine second press the sonic quality is superb.  The vinyl has been well looked after also and remains very clean with only some light hairlines.

The cover is in fantastic condition, easily one of if not the best I have ever seen.  As you can see from my description below it has only very minimal wear and nothing stands out.  A piece of art!  The original Vertigo inner hasn't faired quite so well but at least it's still included, I would say it's in very good condition.

This second pressing is very similar to the first!  It has the same matrix but does not have 'A PHILIPS RECORD PRODUCT' on the label.  It still has the same large Vertigo 'swirl' logo above the spindle hole and BLACK SABBATH is slightly moved to the right on the Side B label.   The inside of the gatefold has the same capital letters as per the first pressing with no composition or publishing credits.  It also now correctly states 'Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings'.

VO 6 // 847 903 VTY

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 9  1 2

VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1  0

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex+ / T4 Ex opening section)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (T1 Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The original Vertigo inner is VG-

The Vertigo labels are Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see some faint hairlines and a couple of minor blemishes but there is nothing that stands out.  There is no groove or surface wear and the iconic Vertigo labels just have some faint spotting which you can only see this when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle, they are very faint.  A little spindle wear also but not too much.

Play grading

The 'storm / tolling' bell intro on 'Black Sabbath' is near perfect with only three very light ticks and there is no background static.  As Iommi comes in the audio is perfect, so deep and strong, and the following quiet passage has only one minor static.  Osbourne's opening vocal section is so clean with only a hint of barely audible static and the next quiet instrumental section / vocal has only minimal light static and a couple of of mega quiet dull ticks.  Believe me when I say this static is extremely quiet!  As the volume and pace pick up the audio is stunning and this classic end section plays with tremendous power and depth and no interference.  This depth of sound in no small measure aided by Iommi's down-tuned sound and Butler's deep bass.  I will grade as Ex+ overall but it's safe to assume many sections play better than that.

The entire intro on 'The Wizard' plays with incredible clarity and definition (a very clean harmonica sound) and the first vocal has no interference either.  It continues in the same precise way with nothing that detracts from the audio.  As per the first track the sonic quality is so impressive and it is obvious this vinyl has not been over-played.  Each note is so sharp and precise and this track is Mint- at the minimum.

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' keeps up the standard and plays with genuine quality from the word go.  The intro is more or less perfect and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  Osbourne's opening vocal has no background and from then on this classic plays so clearly with no ticks, clicks or pops.  Not one negative, just that familiar depth and power and Ward's percussive outro has no background either.  Once again Mint- is deserved.

The bass intro on 'N.I.B' has a little background static but nothing too intrusive.  Iommi's first introduction has just a little inner groove distortion but that soon disappears.  The first vocal is perfect and from then on it plays so clearly for a final track.  There is no more distortion and the vocal and instrumental sections plays with sublime quality.  Again I have to mention the depth and resonance of the audio, it is superb!  I will grade the opening section as Ex and Mint- from then onwards.  As per usual Iommi's work is stunning.

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'Evil Woman' has only a couple of minor statics on the intro and Osbourne's first vocal has no background at all.  Butler's bass plays a massive part in this track and the sound could not be any better.  The mid instrumental plays with impeccable quality and the final chorus / verse pays testament to how well this vinyl has been cared for.  A Mint- start to S2.

The acoustic intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays with exceptional clarity and the vocal section is just as impressive.  What a start!  As the volume picks up the playback is stunning, the sound so clean and clinical, and the remainder of this instrumental can only be described 'as new'.  The audio is unbelievable!  The clarity, depth and power is on another level - all three working in perfect harmony!  There is a little static on that final extended note but it seems a little harsh to downgrade because of that!  Let's say Near Mint

The intro on 'Warning' has zero static and the first vocal is just as strong. One light tick in the instrumental 'bridge' and the second verse then plays to perfection.  The following instrumental section / verse have no intrusion and then Ward's intro into the 'long' instrumental is faultless.  As the volume decreases there is no background static and this classic continues to impress on every level.  The depth on the audio is supreme and Iommi's stand alone section is breath-taking!  There is no background at all, only a couple of barely audible dust ticks during the next 'silent' section, hardly worth a mention!  There is just a hint of light static but it is so much in the background.  Iommi's next dynamic section is so strong and there is only the bare minimum of light static just before the power ramps up again.  This final section including Osbourne's final vocal plays with real quality.  This 10 minute plus classic plays with outstanding quality from start to finish and there are no ticks, clicks or pops I hasten to add.  A minimal amount of light static for a few seconds for a few seconds that is all and like I say it is so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  A Near Mint version with many sections grading higher.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

This textured cover has been preserved so well and is rarely found in such great condition.  It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and for once has no obvious marking.  The top edges are so clean and the bottom edges just have some rubbing towards the corners but not an excessive amount.  The spine is in superb order with only minimal wear on the bottom corner and the other corners are in pretty good shape also, just a little rubbing lower right.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear and the front cover is stunning!  It is unmarked, has no creasing and only minor rubbing by the two bottom corners.  The back cover is just as impressive with only minor wear lower left and one very small white 'mark' next to the left edge.  The inside of the gatefold in stunning and we all know how rare that is!  It is so often affected by marking / staining but here you can only see a handful of minor white 'spots' and the inner spine remains undamaged.  It is without doubt one of the finest second press covers I have seen.

The Vertigo inner sleeve does have some wear but is not in poor condition.  The original poly-lining was missing so I have replaced it with a newer one.  There is one large side split but it is relatively clean with only a little marking and some creasing.

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 // 847 903 VTY

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 9  1 2

VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1  0

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 : £12.95 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!!