Black Sabbath : Heaven And Hell A2/B1 1st Press

This first pressing plays to an exceptional standard with no interference on any of the tracks.  The sonic quality is 'as new' and the clarity is just off the scale!  This is now 40 years old and I have never heard this album play with such breathtaking quality.  The vinyl is also in immaculate condition with no marks etc.

The cover is in lovely condition with only minimal wear and the original inner has also been very well preserved.

9102 752  A // 2 ? ETH 1 1 1 4

9102 752  A // 2 ?  ETH 1 1 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is visually stunning and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a very small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines, it looks 'shop fresh' basically!  There is barely any spindle wear and the run out grooves are also exceptionally clean.  You could not find better!

Play grading  

'Neon Nights' heralds the new era of Sabbath with vastly improved production and I am pleased to say it plays with stunning clarity and power from the first groove to the last.  There is no interference at all, not even on the fade out, and the audio has such depth and incredible sonic quality also.  This is Mint without a doubt.

With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on 'Children Of The Sea' does not have a single dust tick let alone anything worse and as the volume increases this 'high end' standard is more than maintained.  From then on there are no negatives and the audio is 'as new' no exaggeration.  Every section plays with sublime clarity and Mint is richly deserved.  I cannot overstate how well it plays.  Stunning!

'Lady Evil' also plays with same precision and once more there is no interference.  The bassline on this track is so strong and the definition just makes you think has this record ever been played?!  Mint

'Heaven And Hell' is superb right from the start!  The familiar bass just prior to the vocal is flawless and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is second to none.  No ticks, clicks, pops, static or crackle and you can turn it up to maximum and there is no distortion at all.  At very nearly seven minutes every second plays with such sharp, dynamic quality and there is literally nothing to fault - the up tempo end section is just awesome I can't think of a more suitable word!  The quiet acoustic section that brings the track to a close could not play with any greater clarity, there is no underlying static at all.  I am confident in grading this as Mint - what a finish to the side!

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'Wishing Well' is loud and true from the first note and progresses in exactly the same way.  Again there is clarity and then 'as new' clarity such is this.  The sonic quality is stunning throughout and is Mint on every level.

The quiet intro on 'Die Young' plays beautifully and this quality is kept up as the tempo increases.  It continues in the same way - stunning power and clarity during the breakneck speed sections and with such delicate precision during the quieter mid section.  The long fade out again shows you just how 'clean' the audio with no 'background' at all.  Mint

'Walk Away' is Mint from start to finish there is no need to elaborate :-)

'Lonely Is The Word' also has audio of the highest calibre.  Once again it is patently obvious this vinyl has hardly been played as the clarity and definition is absolutely outstanding.  There is no inner groove distortion which is a rarity and the long fade out plays with stunning precision to the very end.  Yet another Mint track to end the album.

In summary this first pressing is certainly the most impressive I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  Ok it's not the definitive Sabbath sound but it's nevertheless a very good introduction into the new era.  Plus you could not wish to find a first pressing as spectacular as this!  I play every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading and there is just nothing that intrudes on the Mint quality of the audio.  The clarity and overall sonic quality could not be any stronger.

The Cover

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only one area of wear.  This is a crease on the front cover top right that runs through the H to the right hand edge just above the angels head.  Certainly not a large crease but yes you can see it.  Aside from that it is in great shape - the top edge is perfect and the bottom edge just has one small 'rub'.  The spine is super clean with no marking, there is barely any corner wear and the opening edge has no handling wear.  Aside from the crease the front cover is very clean with no marking etc and the back cover is near perfect - the crease is only very faint on this side.  Overall a fine example of this cover.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined inner has no side splits or tears, hardly any creasing and only a small number of faint 'spots' mainly down one side.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels have no marking or writing and only very minimal spindle wear, not eaasy to find!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

9102 752  A // 2 ? ETH 1 1 1 4

9102 752  A // 2 ?  ETH 1 1 1 4

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

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7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

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