BLACK WIDOW Sacrifice 1970 UK 1st press CBS 63948 prog LP super vinyl+audio VG+

	£		33
	$		44

BLACK WIDOW - SACRIFICE

A highly presentable and overall impressive condition copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1970 UK 1st press rock classic, on the CBS record label, STEREO, S 63948

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  S-63948-A1 

Side 2  S-63948-B1

The appearance and overall condition of the flat and nicely weighted vinyl is excellent (EX). Both sides have retained an impressive jet black lacquered sheen and in normal daylight show no obvious sign of wear and tear - a real "gleamer", in fact. Under a very bright light, and with close scrutiny, it is just possible to detect a couple of wispy hairlines on each side of the vinyl and a couple of very light, small paper scuffs on side 2 but these are all non-"feelable", are obviously surface only and completely non-intrusive in terms of both appearance and sound quality (which is terrific throughout). This record has obviously been sparingly played and it is hard to believe that it is now a 50 year old antiquity!

The labels are excellent minus (EX-). Gorgeous condition labels with the coveted black text and CBS 1st press darker, solid orange background colouring still nicely intact. Under a bright light I can make out a few small and very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label, and on the side 1 label there is a mild mark from a previous sticker (see photo) - otherwise the grading would be a strong excellent.

The iconic non-laminated E.J. Day gatefold sleeve is very good plus (VG+). Such an iconic sleeve, but so fragile and prone to wear and tear and becoming hard to come across a UK 1st pressing in excellent condition or better. No creasing and nothing nasty on this sleeve, and no unwanted writing or doodles or tears or rips, and still retaining the richness of it's original colouring with great clarity and definition, and the opening edges also remain firm with no fraying, but there are nevertheless a just a few blemishes : the top and bottom edges have mild intermittent scuffing and this cuffing is continuous along the bottom reverse side edge, each corner is still a nicely defined right angle but there is some mild scuffing on each, there are x4 1cm (or less) very light, surface creases on the front side adjacent and perpendicular to the spine (though the spine itself remains firm with all spine text perfectly legible), and on the reverse side there is a small 1cm "nick" at the top right corner next to the CBS logo. The inside of the gatefold is in excellent shape, with all of the exquisite art work, colours, and text beautifully intact. Not quite excellent but still very nice and highly presentable.

Finally, the quality of the audio is overall excellent plus (EX+). Impressive tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No skips, jumps, repeats, or obvious clicks (just the very occasional and very light background click which can only be attributed to the odd speck of dust in the grooves resulting from decades of storage), and only the hint of some very, very light background crackle at the very beginning and very end of side 1 - negligible. This really is an excellent album with the title track on side 2 being a real prog rock corker...great stuff!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. IN ANCIENT DAYS

2. WAY TO POWER

3. COME TO THE SABBAT

4. CONJURATION

Side 2 :

1. SEDUCTION

2. ATTACK OF THE DEMON

3. SACRIFICE

Comes with original CBS advertising inner sleeve with no tears, splits or rips - just a some creasing at two of the corners - and remaining 100% functional. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a very nice condition and highly presentable copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1970 UK 1st press prog rock gem - a worthy addition to any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 65 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I also take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £4 Royal Mail 1st class, signed for; continental Europe £10 and Rest of the World £14, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail, tracked and signed for.

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler