I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Sabotage 2nd Press 1Y2 / 2Y2

This very early pressing on the NEMS label plays to an superb standard with only very minimal interference as detailed below.  The clarity, power and depth of the audio is stunning and you could hardly improve on the sonic quality on offer here!  Based on the visual 'look' of the vinyl and that there is barely any spindle wear this has clearly not been played very much.

The textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the original inner is also in great shape with very little wear.

This pressing still has Records & Tapes on the labels but if I was being strict about it I would say this is a second press as it does have a 1Y2/2Y2 matrix rather than 1Y1/2Y2.  Discogs has it as the first variation on the first pressing.  However, it still has 'Megalomania' on the S1 label as opposed to 'Meglomania'.

9119001   1Y*2   ST   1 3 5

9119001   2Y//2  ST   1 1 3   STERLING

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint- / T2 G+ for 3/4 seconds) 

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in great condition with a very strong glossy sheen.  There are no actual marks and the only negative are two tiny scratches on S2 which are barely visible if I'm honest.  Aside from that the record is very clean with only a small number of faint hairlines and the NEMS labels are very clean with no marks and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The 'band/countdown' intro on 'Hole In The Sky' has no 'background' and the opening instrumental section then plays 'as new' with no interference, just that powerful deep and stunning Sabbath sound.  It continues to play with sublime quality and Osbourne's voice is so clean and precise here.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and is as good as it would have been in '75.  This is a Mint start to the album.

The acoustic 'Don't Start Too Late' plays beautifully with only a small number of inconsequential dust ticks, the clarity is stunning.  Mint-

The classic 'Symptom Of The Universe' is 'as new' from start to finish with no 'background' of any kind.  You can turn it up to max with no fear of distortion and Ward and Butler's rhythm section add so much to the overall sound.  Iommi's work is pretty strong also!  You can hear each instrument so clearly despite the volume and with so much 'going on'.  The final acoustic section also plays to perfection including the fade out.  This is a STUNNING Mint version in every way.

The quiet intro on 'Megalomania' plays so clearly with not even a single dust tick and as the volume increases there is no let up in quality.  At the start of the next quiet section there is one very light tick followed by a light click and then the rest of this verse plays perfectly.  And that sums up the rest of this classic also with literally no intrusion on the audio - the power and clarity of the audio has not deteriorated in any way and the sonic quality is just phenomenal!  The high octane finish is so strong and dynamic and there is no inner groove distortion.  This has to be graded as Near Mint even though 99% is 'as new'!  It is undeniably a fantastic version with barely any interference.  A superb side of music!

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The intro on 'Thrill Of It All' is STUNNING never heard better!  The playback is so strong and there is no interference of any kind.  The opening vocal is equally as good and the bass sound is again so deep.  A sign this record has been so well cared for down the years, the clarity of sound is perfect.  It continues in the same precise way with unbelievable power and depth although there is one pop and three light clicks in the instrumental section just before the final vocal.  This is a shame but because the audio is so loud it's only the pop that is a little intrusive.  The remainder is faultless so overall I would say Near Mint- is fair.  Even the 2 to 3 seconds of interference does not take away from what is a stunning track.  

'Supertzar' plays with great clarity for the vast majority with just four clicks about 2/3rds of the way through.  Apart from that it plays incredibly well with no other intrusion.  The Chamber Choir vocals are so clean and precise as is the accompanying music.  This is Mint- but with a brief G+ section.

'Am I Going Insane (Radio)' plays with a clarity and definition that cannot be faulted.  From start to finish there is no interference and that includes the maniacal 'laughing' end section.  Mint

The quiet intro on 'The Writ' plays with stunning clarity, just one light tick, and then the opening verse is 'as new' with no intrusion.  The next quiet passage is as good as the first and from then on it plays with tremendous clarity and definition.  The power of the audio resonates throughout the room and the 'gentler' acoustic sections on the final third do not disappoint either, there is not even a single dust tick.  The high octane finish could not play any better and this is easily Mint- although I am not sure the minus is required!

The 'hidden' track 'Blow On A Jug' ends the album with great clarity when you consider how quiet it is.  There are only three very light ticks and no background static.  I cannot even hear the stylus running through the grooves!

In summary this very early pressing plays to a superb standard with only very minimal interference on a couple of tracks and to say 98% to 99% is 'as new' no exaggeration.  There is just one click on S1 and only a handful on S2 but the overall clarity of sound is hugely impressive not forgetting the phenomenal power and depth of the music.  There is also no underlying static which is a rarity.  Not a perfect album but the vast majority does indeed play perfectly!!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The top edge has no wear and the bottom edge has only a little rubbing.  The spine is still 100% legible but does have a few 'rubs' with just a little wear on the corners also.  The right hand corners are very clean with very little wear and the opening edge is as close to perfect as could be.  The front cover is so clean with no marking and has just one small crease top left and the back cover is just as impressive.  A fine example overall.

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in great shape with no side splits or tears, very little creasing and only minimal age related fading here and there.  A handful of very minor spots also.

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

9119001   1Y*2   ST   1 3 5

9119001   2Y//2  ST   1 1 3   STERLING

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 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 MAY 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 : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 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!