Black Sabbath ?– Paranoid

Original 1970 UK 1st issue, with the credits mentioning ''Management / Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham''
To distinguish from other releases: ?1970 is written above 33 1/3 on the right side of the record label.
In fantastic condition.
The sleeve is VG+  (see pics)
Has the ''Management / Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham'' credit, on the inside of the Gatefold sleeve.
The gatefold has stuck together at some time, and there is small area it was stuck at the bottom, inside of the gatefold sleeve - see pics
Not laminated.
The vinyl record is overall Excellent. Perfectly flat.
Great shine, and looks brilliant, under close examination under direct light, there are some very faint lines. Excellent labels.

The audio is Near Mint for all songs except for "Planet Caravan", which has a small handful of faint and singular random micro peeps, very faint, and un-intrusive, it is quite minor.

The audio quality is otherwise first class, the record plays close to perfect.
Side One audio is EX (Near Mint other than "Planet Caravan, which is VG+)
Side Two audio is Near Mint
The inner sleeve is Very Good, no splits or writing, it has a moderate amount of foxing, although the pictures show it worse than it actually is.

Identifiers

• Matrix / Run-out (B-side label): 6360 011 2
• Price Code (Rear of sleeve boxed below Cat.No.): VO PRICE CODE
• Matrix / Run-out (A-side run-out stamped): 6360011 1Y//1 420 1 2 9
• Matrix / Run-out (B-side run-out stamped): 6360011 2Y//1 420 1 1 1 1

There is no break in between the tracks "Hand of Doom" and "Rat Salad", so it looks as though there are only three tracks on the B side of the record when there are actually four
Vertigo ''large swirl'' label - with the wording ''Vertigo'' credited below the spindle hole on label side B.
Matt gatefold sleeve - with the credits mentioning ''Management / Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham''
Cat# - 6360 011 appears on B-side label, spine and rear of sleeve above VO PRICE CODE.
To distinguish from other releases: P 1970 is written above 33 1/3 on right side on label

Recorded at Regent Sound and Island Studios.
All compositions published by Essex Music Int. Ltd.
?1970
In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine called Black Sabbath's "Paranoid", the greatest Metal album of all time.
Label: Vertigo ?– 6360 011 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold, With Management Credits
Country: UK Released: 22 Sep 1970 Genre: Rock Style: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal

Tracklist

A1 War Pigs
A2 Paranoid
A3 Planet Caravan
A4 Iron Man
B1 Electric Funeral
B2 Hand Of Doom
B3 Rat Salad
B4 Fairies Wear Boots

Companies, etc.

• Published By – Essex Music International Ltd.
• Produced For – Tony Hall Enterprises
• Recorded At – Regent Sound Studios
• Recorded At – Island Studios
• Lacquer Cut At – Phonodisc Ltd.

Credits

• Bass Guitar – Terry "Geezer" Butler*
• Design, Photography By – Keef (4)
• Drums – Bill Ward
• Engineer – Brian Humphries, Tony Allom*
• Lead Guitar – Tony Iommi
• Management [Big Bear, Birmingham] – Jim Simpson
• Producer – Rodger Bain
• Vocals – Ozzy Osbourne
• Written By – Iommi / Osbourne / Butler / Ward
• Written-By – Ward*, Butler*, Osbourne*, Iommi*

Notes

1st UK issue
Vertigo ''large swirl'' label - with the wording ''Vertigo'' credited below the spindle hole on label side B.
Matt gatefold sleeve - with the credits mentioning ''Management / Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham''

Cat# - 6360 011 appears on B-side label, spine and rear of sleeve above VO PRICE CODE.
To distinguish from other releases: P 1970 is written above 33 1/3 on right side on label

Recorded at Regent Sound and Island Studios.
All compositions published by Essex Music Int. Ltd.

?1970

Note:
There is no break in between the tracks "Hand of Doom" and "Rat Salad" - i.e. looks as though there are only three tracks on the B side of the record when there are actually four (see pic).

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Run-out (B-side label): 6360 011 2
• Price Code (Rear of sleeve boxed below Cat.No.): VO PRICE CODE
• Matrix / Run-out (A-side run-out stamped): 6360011 1Y//1 420 1 2 9
• Matrix / Run-out (B-side run-out stamped): 6360011 2Y//1 420 1 1 1 1

A few words about condition.

Grade & 
score out of 100
                                           GRADING
Mint is a Rigid Band - The next Four Grades are all Narrow Bands, that slightly widen as the condition gradually deteriorates - Good is still Good, but there is a rapid widening of the Grade Bands, as the condition deteriorates over the last Four grades.

MINT
100
The record 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.
Only graded on records that are sealed or clearly unplayed.
 
NEAR MINT
97 to 99        

EXCELLENT
90 to 96
The record shows virtually no signs of having been played,  there is no lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have the slightest of tiny defects.
 
The record shows some slight signs of having been played, but there is very little, (if any) lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have very slight wear. 
 
VERY GOOD PLUS
80 to 89

VERY GOOD
69 to 79
The record shows signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.
The cover and  packaging might have slight wear, light creasing.

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.
This is an above average used record, that has been well looked after.




GOOD
56 to 68
The record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated, but the record will still play through, and it will not be a completely unpleasant listening experience, even at the bottom of this grade (56).
The cover and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. 




FAIR
41 to 55
The record is still playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even stick, skip or jump.. This is starting to be an unpleasant listening experience at the top of the grade (55) and will not be a pleasant listening experience at all by the end of it (41).
The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. 
 
POOR
25 to 40
The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc.
The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. 
 
BAD
0 - 24
The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.
The Sleeve is non existent (0) or what is left, is only just recognisable.

A few words about postage.

Within Australia, the best value for multiple purchases is a 5KG satchel, where as many as 15 to 20 LPs can be posted for $22.00 registered post. (well packed in a box, inside the satchel)

My Policies on postage are simple.

I post at cost.
The user pays.
I package well.