BLACK SABBATH self titled first album orig SWIRL Vertigo UK LP NEAR MINT w inner

$

103

This week I'm auctioning a batch of selected LPs. I have done my best to present and describe the albums accurately. I've spent several years doing a deep research dedicated to classic rock records so all the information collected about a particular album is listed below. I'm not going to call any record "megarareprereleaseearliestpossiblematrixnumberstamperscopy" just because it's the record I'm selling at the moment (like some sellers, sadly, do). Below you'll find just pure facts.

A note for potential buyers: I guarantee shipping next day after payment has been received but I cannot guarantee delivery time. It's December and postal services are working slower than usually so please keep this in mind if you need delivery before Christmas. European buyers may expect delivery within 10-15 days but to other destinations it may take more.

There's a RESERVE PRICE set for this auction which is ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE, if you're serious about buying this item feel free to contact me if you wish to know the reserve amount.

BLACK SABBATH "Black Sabbath" self titled first album, original "spiral" Vertigo early UK pressing, TOP COPY

To get the best of any album one should acquire not only the earliest possible pressing but also the ORIGINAL one in terms of the manufacturing country. Any other country pressing is always a compromise and in most cases would never sound equally not to mention the collecting value.

Pressing details.

Record / label

The label of the copy offered here though not the earliest one still is the highly collectable SPIRAL VERTIGO LABEL. Not many collectors know that there are at least 8 (EIGHT) types of UK "swirl" labels. The label as on this copy was introduced in Summer 1971 and it was the first of the "small swirl" labels. Its key features are:

-small swirl logo with VERTIGO written below it and above the hole

-"Side B" is positioned LOWER than "Side A" on the label. This is very important as the next label version which came in 1972 had both sides' writings ALLIGNED at the same level.

-the catalogue number is situated BELOW the Side A tracks while on the next label version the catalogue number was ABOVE the "Side A"

Thus we may assume that the copy offered here was pressed between Summer 1971 and mid-1972.

Matrix numbers, other run-out info

The matrix numbers are: VO6 1Y * 1 420 and VO 6 2Y//2 ? 420 as you see for the first side the first lacquer was used - same as for the initial pressing while for side B a new lacquer was cut which though offers the sound absolutely within the highest standards of the earliest mastering.

A common mistake of many dealers is including the negative / mother / stamper number of a Philips/Phonodisc pressed record in the matrix number. It's a critical mistake because within a pressing batch based on one lacquer mother and stamper's number obviously change but the basic matrix number does not! See below.

Other digits stamped are: 1 3 and 1 1 1

All "spiral" Vertigo LPs were pressed by the Phonodisc plant (earlier acting as Philips, later - as Phonogram). The basic Phonodisc plant run-out markings' system consisted of (as far as I know) the Negative, the Mother and the Stamper all following the basic matrix number. That's why by the way the first digit you find after the main matrix number is usually "1". But at the Phonodisc  plant they often omitted indication partly: sometimes you see the full sequence (consisting of up  to 5 digits) but often (like in our case) we have just 1 and 3 for side A. We can only guess if the 3 stands for mother or for a stamper. As for side B of our copy everything is clear: 1st negative (from the lacquer), 1st mother, 1st stamper.

420 as we all know means that the lacquers were cut in the UK.

Cover

The cover the THIRD version for this album and is correct for this "small swirl" label record only. Its key features are : the mistake in the Copyright statement has been corrected and inside the gatefold at the bottom it now states "Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings...", the  writing in the centre of the cross is in small font but still carries misspelled names of OSSIE Osbourne and ROGER Bain and a new misspelling appears - in the name of Tony Allom (should be Tom). The original catalogue number is printed in the top right corner, rear. Finally, the MOST IMPORTANT feature which distinguishes this cover from the fourth version is that there's NO ARTISTS AND TITLE ON THE SPINE. The fourth version had the artist/title spine print.

Inner sleeve

The all-important ORIGINAL SWIRL Vertigo inner sleeve is present. And what's more important this inner is TOTALLY CORRECT for this very pressing, definitely not a swap. These days some dealers tend to swap inners in favour of making a particular copy "complete" while due to lack of knowledge the resulting sets appear absolutely incorrect! I've seen a lot of 1970-711st pressing Vertigo albums in so-called "original" inners with 1973 date on them and vice versa! Improve your knowledge and you won't be fooled! I've not yet finalized the "swirly" UK inner sleeves but it's obvious that at least 4 (most likely even more) versions exist. The majority of Vertigo inners carry a printing date on it and that helps an accurate collector do detect whether it is original or not. But certain types of Vertigo inners had no printing date and these came in late 1971 - 1972. Here's one of those sleeves and I guarantee it originally belongs to the album offered here. One important feature is the polyethylene inner coating which was in use until 1972. Sleeves from late 1972 (occasionally even earlier) had anti-static inner coating.

Condition

A top copy without a doubt!

The cover is MEGA-CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENT though most would call it Near Mint without a doubt. There's some rubbing of the corners and on the rear a trained eye would detect a start (hint) of ringwear. The front is virtually prefect as is the inside panel, the spine is great. There's a tiny rubbing of the bottom seam. I'm really very critical having mentioned all the flaws I have noticed. Overall it's a great cover and a real pride to have in your collection.

The record is the HIGHEST NEAR MINT visually

It plays PERFECTLY throughout with no surface noise whatsoever. The run-ins and gaps between tracks are virtually silent. The sound is so powerful and detailed that you're guaranteed to be blown away from the moment the needle touches the run-in groove and the music begins. No other pressing would ever "overplay" the original early UK vinyl mastering. No chance to get it better!

Summary

Artist: BLACK SABBATH

Title: BLACK SABBATH

Country of origin: UK

Release and pressing year:  February 1970, this copy was pressed mid-1971 to mid-1972.

Label: VERTIGO

Catalogue Number: VO 6

Pressing plant: PHONODISC

Pressing: ORIGINAL, THIRD VERSION

Grading cover/record: EXCELLENT / NEAR MINT

Inner sleeve: ORIGINAL, CORRECT

Matrix numbers: VO6 1Y * 1 420 and VO 6 2Y//2 ? 420

Mothers - stampers: 1 3 and 1 1 1

Play-testing setup

Thorens 125 table, MC type cartridge Kuzma  KC-1 (OEM manufactured by ZYX), Luxman L-560 amp, Harbeth HL-7 speakers.

Treating records

I always treat vinyl records with the greatest care - just because I love them. All the records I sell have been cleaned professionally with the isopropyl alcohol based solution and placed in brand new deluxe German made poly-lined inner sleeves. Original inners are surely preserved. For further packing I use re-sealable outer sleeves, custom German made LP mailers with cardboard stiffeners and I add extra protection for corners for heavy parcels.

Shipping

Shipping cost for this item is 18 USD WORLDWIDE. I ship worldwide by Registered Air Mail and obtain an internationally valid tracking number. If the postal service of your country allows tracing of incoming overseas parcel you'll be able to use the tracking number. I'm happy to offer combined shipping for multiple purchases, this allows to save quite a lot on postage. Feel free to contact me if you need to know shipping price for several items.

Payment

Paypal.

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A VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ!!!!!

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