Black Sabbath - Paranoid - Original UK First Vertigo Large Swirl Pressing - 1970 Vinyl Stereo LP. Classic album with the ultra rare Jim Simpson/Big Bear credit.

Originally released September 18th, 1970.

Vertigo (UK manufactured) records Catalogue no: 6360 011 VTY. Stereo. 

The vinyl is a heavy 143 grams.

For those who collect the earliest pressings, the matrix numbers are:

Side 1: A 1Y//1

Side 2: B 2Y//1

These are the very earliest matrix and very hard to find.

The cover has the text: Management / Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham. Apparently only a few hundred of these were printed before Jim simpson was no longer the Black Sabbath manager. The cover was then reprinted without the Big Bear credit making this a rarer release and almost impossible to find now.

All Bidders: Because of the rarity and cost of this album I will require it to be posted using registered mail and tracking which adds to the basic postal costs.

My records are packaged in professional record mailers with plenty of bubble wrap and gladwrap for protection against any wet and rough circumstances. I only charge posting and packaging for what it costs me.

The Record Grading

I have classed this LP using the Record Collector Grading as "Very Good". 

This record is not brand new or in mint condition so if that is what you are after then to avoid any disappointment please refrain from bidding if you prefer mint condition.   

The reason for the "very good" grading. 

The record shows signs of having been played but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional scratch. There is normal wear and tear on the cover.

Record

There is normal background noise (crackles) consistent with the amount of times the LP has been played, especially on the quieter passages.

The record has a few obvious scratches and some scuff marks.

Track 4 on side 1 has 2 clicks.

The record sounds strong and undistorted and still has definition and clarity. The record has only ever been played by myself and has not been played for over 30 years apart from recently, for "play grading" purposes on an excellent record system.

I have taken into consideration the surface noise for wear (crackles) which mean "Planet Caravan" and the quieter passages of "Hand Of Doom" grade lower. I am being quite critical with my grading and would rather err on the lower side, the heavier tracks still play and sound great.

This is still a great sounding album with magnificent production quality from that era.

Cover and Sleeve

Please see the pictures. 

The cover is the rare gatefold unlaminated version that the first pressings had.

The cover shows typical signs of use for it's age however it is still in great condition.

There is storage wear to the bottom and leading edges of the cover but the rest of the cover is in great condition. There is a small area (approx 1/8th inch), bottom left of the front cover that has been torn, but it is not particularly obvious (please see the pictures). 

The front cover has a couple of quite small dents and the odd scuff marks all consistent with the age of this album and is very clean overall especially the inside cover.

The text including the spine is all 100% readable.

The inner sleeve is the original poly-lined Vertigo swirl with the date code 0970 (September 1970). Many years ago I wrote in pen the date at the top right hand corner (please see the pictures).

The sleeve has a half inch tear near the centre and shows signs of discoloration / staining with age. The staining was apparently common on the original sleeves when the resin in the adhesive aged.

Track List:

Side one

1. "War Pigs" – 7:58
2. "Paranoid" – 2:52
3. "Planet Caravan" – 4:34
4. "Iron Man" – 5:58

Side Two

1. "Electric Funeral" – 4:52
2. "Hand of Doom" – 7:09
3. "Rat Salad" – 2:30
4. "Fairies Wear Boots" – 6:13

Shipping:

PAYPAL ONLY and you can pay via PayPal as a guest even if not registered.

Please wait for an invoice before paying so that I can determine the correct auctioned postage.

Please note when bidding for this record the postal costs will include signature on delivery - an extra $2.95 if the album goes over $40.00.

Overseas - Australia Post Airmail and delivery confirmation required.

If the LP auctions for $100.00 or over I will require postal insurance and signed for delivery confirmation within Australia and overseas.

It can be more expensive unfortunately, however it is the most secure way of posting.

Please do not bid if you are not in agreement with this.

For an auction price of $100.00 or over, postage costs will be as follows:

Australia Post Air Mail cost based on your location.

Plus

Insurance Cover

$0 to $140 = $9.60.

$200 to $300 = $14.60.

Plus

Delivery Confirmation $3.85.

Please ask for postal insurance and delivery confirmation costs if you wish for more secure postage

if the record auctions for under $100.00.

I only charge for what my actual postal and packaging costs are.

Air Mail may take up to 2 WEEKS for delivery.

I cannot be responsible for delays in delivery or lost/damaged items.

I do not offer Sea Mail as this takes up to 3 MONTHS for delivery.

Payment is due before 5 days from auction end & within 2 days for buy it now items.

Please READ THE ITEM DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY and study the photographs to avoid disappointment later. 

Please note I do not post to Italy, China, Russia or South America due to long postal delays.

I use the Record Collector Magazine's Grading Guide as below.

2.  MINT: 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. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be     Mint.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  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.

6.  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 will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

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

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

     Any Questions please ask.

     THANKS FOR LOOKING.

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