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Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This first Vertigo pressing is absolutely stunning!  I don't want to enthuse too much but it is so rare to find a genuine first press playing with such incredible clarity, power and depth.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has no spindle wear on the labels at all, it may well be that this record has never been played before.  The sonic quality provides enough evidence of that!  'After Forever' just has two clicks near the start but apart from that the clarity cannot be faulted.  Even 'Solitude' plays beautifully!  I cannot overstate just how clean and precise the audio is - there is no distortion and you would not be disappointed if you had just bought this record 'as new'!  The vinyl does have one minor 'lift' on one edge but this obviously has no affect on the stunning quality of the audio.  Lift is perhaps too strong a word, more a small undulation.

The embossed box cover is one of the finest examples I have seen in a long time.  It is unmarked and has kept its original shape and strength.  It cannot have been handled very much at all.  The original swirl inner is also excellent condition with very little wear.  Unfortunately it does not have the original poster but if you want to own a near perfect first pressing then this is a must have!

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 7

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 2 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint)

The embossed box cover is Ex+

The labels are Mint

The swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is a work of art!  It still has that 'shop fresh' immaculate glossy sheen and needless to say there are no marks or scratches.  Even under a strong light I cannot detect any obvious hairlines and as stated there is no spindle wear on the labels.  The grooves are so clean and there is no mottling or bag rash at all.  The record is visually stunning and the run out grooves are also pristine.  The Vertigo labels are 'as new' they are totally unmarked.  The only flaw, if you can call it that, is a small 'lift' on one edge which is perhaps slightly more noticeable when you play S2 but it has no affect on the stunning quality of the audio and no impact on the stylus either.  Don't let it put you off it is only minor!

Play grading  

'Sweet Leaf' begins perfectly including the cough!  Osbourne's first vocal is flawless and it continues to play with that typical deep menacing Sabbath sound with no interference.  There is no distortion and the clarity, depth and power of the audio is superb!  The mid instrumental is breathtaking and to the end it plays with great precision.  This is a Mint start to this classic album with not even a single tick let alone anything more.

The intro on 'After Forever' is of the same standard and the only interference across the entire track are two clicks during the first riff.  I can't see a reason for this so may just be a pressing fault, this is vinyl after all!  Aside from that it plays with stunning clarity and power - the resonance of the sound is just unbelievably good and it's like it has never been on a turntable before, remember there is no spindle wear!  There is no static distortion, no intrusion whatsoever - apart from the two seconds near the beginning.  I still think it deserves a Near Mint- as 99% is 'as new' and that includes the fade out.

'Embryo' often plays with static/crackle but there is no 'background' here at all.  None!  It is Mint from start to finish.

The intro on 'Children Of The Grave' continues this 'high end' audio with no intrusion and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  From the first note to the last there are no negatives and this just has to be the strongest version of this classic that I have heard in many a year.  There is no inner groove distortion, just pure unadulterated Mint audio, and you can certainly turn it up to loud plus plus!  Even the very quiet end section is nigh on perfect with only a small number of light dust ticks.  A Mint- end to the side but the minus might even be a little harsh.

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The acoustic 'Orchid' plays with stunning precision with no interference.  It's rare for the opening grooves to play so cleanly on such a quiet track and especially on a vinyl that is over 50 years old!  A handful of dust ticks only this has to grade as Mint- at the very least.

'Lord Of This World' plays to the same 'high end' standard with, you guessed it, no interference.  I cannot put into words just how clean and precise the audio has been so far, the playback is of the highest calibre.  Every verse and instrumental section plays with sublime clarity and definition - this is Mint all day long!  What a version!

As any collector knows 'Solitude' is another track that is regularly affected by static etc.  I am pleased to say this is one of the finest version I have ever heard.  There is one light static tick at the start but you cannot fault the clarity on offer here.  It plays beautifully and Osbourne's gentle vocal has never sounded better.  There are no clicks or pops, just some minor and non-intrusive dust ticks which you find on new vinyl let alone one of this age.  Each note plays with incredible precision and that applies to the super quiet end section also.  I'm finding it difficult to decide between Near Mint or Mint so I err on the side of caution and say Near Mint - a STUNNING version whichever way you look at it and so rarely found as good as this.

'Into The Void' plays with tremendous power and depth from the word go - the long intro is faultless and the first verse is so strong also.  This sonic quality is prevalent throughout and again there is no interference and no inner groove distortion which makes a change.  There are no ticks or clicks, no underlying static and no 'muddiness' to the sound either.  I cannot emphasise enough just how fantastic the audio is!  Every groove is so deep and strong and that foreboding Sabbath sound just envelops the room.  An immaculate Mint conclusion to this near, very near perfect album.

In summary this Vertigo first pressing plays to an unbelievable standard with only a couple of seconds of interference on S1.  I honestly cannot remember when I heard a 'Master Of Reality' as good as this and whilst I cannot guarantee it I would not be surprised if it had never been played before, the sonic quality certainly suggests that.  There is no distortion and no static distortion either which you so often find on these 'high octane' records.  It plays so much better than any later pressing or modern reissue as they just don't have the same level of warmth, depth and resonance.  This is a genuine find and I am convinced any collector will be as impressed as I am!

The Box Cover & Swirl Inner

The embossed box cover is certainly one of best I have seen with only very minimal shelf wear.  There is some cardboard inside which has helped retain its original shape and structure so well.  All four spines are very clean with no marking and only the top edge has the usual 'lift' which can't seem to be avoided.  All the corners are also in superb condition with damage and only a couple of very small rubs.  The front cover is beautiful, it is unmarked, and has barely any of the laminate lift that you so often find.  The back cover is equally as clean and whilst there is some laminate lift on the right side it has not split at all.  This is a superb example of this iconic cover and will not disappoint.

The original swirl inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one tiny tear on the central 'window'.  There is only minimal age related fading and only a little creasing.

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

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 7

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 2 5

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!