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 generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : 13 1st Press Vertigo 2 x LP 2013 

This first pressing plays with stunning quality across all four sides with barely any background.  There are a couple of very quiet ticks on S4 but that hardly classes as interference!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and is actually a lot stronger sonically than what I thought it was going to be.  At the time of release Rick Rubin's production was criticized by some - to me the audio levels do not seem to affected by distortion or compression.  Yes it was recorded loud but I do not think the audio suffers for it.  Hardly played, if at all, it plays with sensational audio throughout.

The glossy gatefold is in fantastic condition and has been so well taken care of over the last 12 years, it has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  Only one of the lyric inners has a very small bottom edge split and the original black inners are in superb shape also.

This first pressing has the Rick Rubin production credit on the back cover.

3734960-A / 108499E1/H   //   3734960-B / 108499E2/D

3734960-C / 108499E3/H   //   3734960-D / 108499E4/C

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) // The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-) // The audio on S4 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint+) 

The gatefold is Near Mint

The lyric inners are Near Mint / Ex++

The black inner sleeves are Mint-

The Vertigo labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyls are in superb condition and still have a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright light I can only see a few faint sleeve removal hairlines on the first record and there are even less on the second.  They show no signs of being played and the Vertigo labels are indeed perfect with no spindle wear.

Play grading

The first part of the intro on 'End Of The Beginning' is perfect - it's good to hear that deep resonant Iommi sound again!  The second quieter part has no background either and Ozzy's opening vocal section is equally as clean.  As the volume increases there is no drop in quality and it continues to play with superb depth and power and Iommi's solos are stunning.  The end section is superb!  So powerful and the depth again....just like early Sabbath.  From start to finish I only 'heard' a handful of barely audible statics and there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  A Mint- start to the album without doubt.

The intro on 'God Is Dead?' plays without fault and the first verse has no intrusion either.  The chorus is faultless and it continues in the same precise way.  Another 8 minute track and every vocal and instrumental section play with impeccable quality.  You can see why the album was well received at the time despite the so called issues with Rubin's production.  Ward may not be involved but Wilk still adds tremendous power and is very high in the mix.  Mint

'Loner' plays with stunning precision from the get go.  The intro has no intrusion and the opening vocal section is just as strong and clear.  Wilk's work is superb again and of course complemented so well by Butler.  Iommi's work is unrivalled but as usual it plays with its usual power and definition.  Mint

The 'laugh' and acoustic intro on 'Zeitgeist' have no background and the quiet opening vocal is of the same high end standard, the clarity is stunning!  The first chorus has no interference either, no background at all, and this 'clean' sound is kept up throughout.  This is definitely channelling Planet Caravan but with a modern twist, for example the vocal effect and the end sequence, and it plays with phenomenal clarity, depth and warmth.  There is just one momentary static / scratchy sound on the final note, nothing to worry about it is quiet.  Mint-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Age Of Reason' plays with that familiar depth and resonance and from start to finish there is no interference.  There is just one mega quiet static on the intro but blink and you miss it!  Once again every section plays like the record has never been played before!  Mint

The intro on 'Live Forever' is so strong and dynamic, laden with Iommi's downtuned sound, and Ozzy's opening vocal is just as impressive.  The first chorus has no background and it continues to play with genuine quality.  The mid instrumental is stunning, you have to turn it up to max, and the remainder cannot be faulted either.  Easily a Mint version.

The quiet intro on 'Damaged Soul' plays with perfect clarity and the opening vocal section is more or less perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics.  The instrumental bridge has no interference and the next vocal has only two very quiet background ticks, you could easily miss them.  From then on it plays with stunning precision and without any background.  The powerful end section is superb by the way!  I'll say Near Mint+ overall, I think that is an honest appraisal of the audio.  A little harsh you could say because the brief moments of 'background' are so so quiet!

'Dear Father' ends the album in fine style.  The intro has a couple of very quiet statics and then Iommi's first introduction and Ozzy's opening vocal are perfect.  This standard is kept up as it progresses - for a final track the audio is so clean and 'fresh' and there is no distortion on the top end.  Superb sonically from start to finish - a nice little touch at the end, if you know you know!  Great clarity also.  A Mint- conclusion to a great album.

The Gatefold, Lyric Inners & Inner Sleeves

The glossy cover is practically 'as new' with barely any wear.  The right hand edge of the front cover has only minimal wear and I am sure this was caused when it was 'cut' during production, it's hardly an issue.  Aside from that the edges and wide spine are in perfect condition and the corners have no wear either.  The front and back cover are unmarked and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate also.  A stunning example.

The first lyric inner is near perfect with only a couple of small edge 'rubs' and the second has just one very small bottom edge split.  The original black inners are in superb shape.  It's a shame they didn't produce Vertigo inners for this album!

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

3734960-A / 108499E1/H   //   3734960-B / 108499E2/D

3734960-C / 108499E3/H   //   3734960-D / 108499E4/C

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!