This superb example of Black Sabbath’s classic Master Of Reality album has been in my own collection for a very long time since its release in July 1971.

It’s an original UK Vertigo (spiral label) release in the “box” sleeve – which has the fully laminated, flip-top opening and block purple embossed lettering of the band’s name on the front.

The vinyl has the following 1st press matrix numbers:

Side 1: 6360050 1Y//1 ; other stampers are: 420 11 9 04

Side 2: 6360050 2Y//1 ; other stampers are: 420 12 20 04

This rare LP, like all those in my extensive vinyl collection built up over 50 years or so, has always been treated with great care. It’s in great condition and has not been played excessively through its 45-year life.

The album has always been played on a high quality hi-fi and at all other times has been stored upright on dedicated shelves in cool, dry conditions away from sunlight, pets and tiny tampering fingers, in a smoke-free home.

Album labels: both labels are in superb clean condition, with absolutely no signs of damage, no writing or stickers and with minimal spindle marking.

Vinyl: It still sounds fantastic, with sharp and clear sound, without significant surface noise even on the rare quiet sections or between tracks.

What there is of any surface noise is just from light dust, and the LP retains its rich dark lustre. With such a valuable album, it's still advisable to give it a professional clean to maintain its fine sound and visual condition.

Side one has a hairline mark on track 1, to be most clearly seen under bright LED light, though this has no audio effect even before Ozzy has a little coughing fit just as “Sweet Leaf” begins.

General visual inspection does not reveal any other scuffs or marks on either face of the LP. I can confidently grade this vinyl album as excellent.

Box cover: This is the original “1st press” fully laminated, top flap-opening box, with embossed lettering on its front face. There, the band's name and the Vertigo logo (in top left corner) are printed in purple.

The top right corner of the rear sleeve bears the Vertigo catalogue number 6360 050 with the boxed “VO PRICE CODE” reference below, denoting the album as an authentic early issue copy.

The band's name on the rear face is also in the same large, bold purple text as on the front, with all other text (on rear) and the left-hand spine printed in white, on an otherwise all-black and shiny sleeve.

The cover’s lamination has retained its original glossy lustre. There is  some slight laminate lift in places, mainly along parts of the left spine. The top flap, notoriously prone to damage when removing & replacing the album, is in very good condition. It has a few laminate creases and a very slight tear about 120cm in from its left edge.

Otherwise, the sleeve has a couple of similar, light laminate creases at top front and on each front side. The embossed lettering on the front has no lifting of its lamination; it is pristine apart from a little patch of very light scratching on the “S” of “Master”. (I suspect that the “zip” sleeve of my Stones' “Sticky Fingers” LP caused that mark, before I took protective measures).

There's a very light crease on the rear at bottom but (to my knowledge) the bottom flap has never been disturbed, so it's in very good, strong shape and cannot flop open to allow the disc to drop out.

Overall, the sleeve is in excellent condition and retains its slim “box” profile. I've seen several other early copies of this album with badly-flattened and creased sleeves, feathered flap, etc. – and often advertised at higher prices than the starting offer here.

It takes a tilt of the sleeve in good light to perceive the album's title in its all black, embossed block lettering. The design is simple, classic and instantly recognised by rock music fans of all ages.

The inner sleeve is the original, reversed “white on black” swirl version of the Vertigo issue, which is most commonly found with the early pressing of Master of Reality. It is poly-lined and in excellent, clean condition - no knifing splits on the edges, no stains or tears – just minimal signs of age and use with the odd crease. The polythene liner is fully intact.

See the comprehensive photo gallery, which will show all edges, corners, labels etc - please judge for yourself and contact me if you have any queries before bidding.

The poster included in the sale is a BRAND NEW REPRODUCTION (not the original). It's a six-panel, colour poster measuring 18" by 27" which features the band members looking suitably menacing in a wooded clearing.

It has never been displayed, so it has no tears, splits, pin-holes, blu-tack stains or any damage from damp or sunlight.

As you will know, the originally-issued poster is now almost unobtainable in excellent condition. This “repro” poster is similarly folded up in order to fit into the album sleeve. It still adds very good value to this outstanding and rare rock classic, adding an indefinable touch of quality and completion for the winning bidder.

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Many Sabs fans believe that Master Of Reality is the band’s finest hour, and it is indeed a heavy rock classic of the first order. Original pressings are amongst the most sought after in the fabulous Vertigo catalogue.

I saw the band live in 1970 and, like many youngsters in those heady days, was rather unprepared for the fantastic sonic assault by the very hairy heavy metal pioneers from Brum.

I therefore probably maintain a stronger affinity with the band’s first two Vertigo albums that I bought in the aftershock of that wonderful encounter.

To me at that time, Birmingham was a distant, dark & mysterious city; by their heavy rock music, Black Sabbath were instrumental in disseminating that widespread belief, which somehow seems to endure to this day. I've lived in the city now for many years, and know better!

I also still own original Vertigo “spiral” editions of their first (eponymous) LP & “Paranoid” - both also still in pristine condition - but I don’t want to sell those LPs just yet (unless offers that I really can’t refuse come in)!

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The record will be sent in a strong “LP mailer” carton with stiffener cards, separated from the outer sleeve and with a new protective sleeve.

For any UK mainland address, it will be posted to the buyer free of charge, using the Royal Mail's “first class, signed for” service.

For other GB addresses (e.g. NI, RoI), any extra posting or courier costs that are requested by the buyer (or otherwise incurred) will be added to the final invoice amount, to be paid in full before the item is despatched.    

International/overseas buyers will be serviced by EBay's Global Shipping Programme; all extra courier charges are thus at EBay's discretion.

In this event, the buyer will be invoiced directly by EBay – it's a safe & secure arrangement for high-value items.

Please pay within 3 days of auction close. I will then post by the next working day. If the item is not paid for, before this deadline, it will be re-listed and the non-payer will be reported to EBay.

Please message me if you have any questions or queries; please check my positive seller feedback for confidence.

I'm also a music collector first & foremost - just selling off a few choice goodies here!

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THANKS FOR LOOKNG - HAPPY BIDDING & GOOD LUCK!