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Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 Large Vertigo Swirl 1970 - Stunning Cover with Capitals!

This early pressing on the collectable Vertigo label plays with stunning quality with only minimal intrusion as described in more detail below.  Minimal light static on a couple of intros (very minimal!) and a couple of light clicks that's about it.  Overall the clarity, depth, power and definition of the audio is outstanding and for such an early pressing the playback can hardly be faulted.  The vinyl has certainly be played as there is some spindle wear but the original sonic quality is still very much in evidence.

The iconic cover is without doubt one of the finest I have seen and has only the bare minimum of shelf wear.  This is the rarer early version with the CAPITAL letters on the inside and the photos do not do it justice really.  The original Vertigo inner (dated 0470) just happens to be in superb condition also.

This is known as a third pressing with the large Vertigo swirl on the S2 label and BLACK SABBATH is in a more central position just above VERTIGO.  However, this cover is a 'second press' one with the band and production credits in CAPITAL letters.  It has no composition and publishing credits.  Ozzy Osbourne is spelt as Ossie Osborne and it has the correct ''Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings'' info.  It's no surprise they are mixed this way as 'quality control' during packing was never the best!

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VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1 4

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T4 intro Ex then Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Ex / T3 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex+

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright I can see some faint hairlines but they are pure superficial as they have no affect on the superb audio.  Under a more forgiving light the vinyl looks very clean.  There is no 'bag rash', no groove or surface wear and overall the vinyl has been very well preserved.  Yes it has been played based on the spindle wear but this is one reason why the early Vertigos are so collectable, they retain their audio quality if looked after well.  The iconic Vertigo labels are unmarked apart from some spindle wear around the centre holes.

Play grading

The 'thunderstorm' / tolling bells intro on 'Black Sabbath' is stunning!  The playback is so clean and the depth of sound so impressive also.  As Iommi comes in the audio is so strong and deep and there is no intrusion.  The following quiet section / Ozzy's opening vocal again plays with sublime clarity with only a couple of minor statics.  From then on this standard is very much maintained - there are no ticks, clicks or pops and the clarity is stunning.  No hiding place as the quiet sections are very quiet!  A handful of barely audible statics that is all and the first part of that classic end section could not play any better.  Osbourne's final vocal is perfect and then Iommi really gets into his stride - each note is so sharply defined and this section continues to play with tremendous power and no distortion.  This is easily a Near Mint start to this classic album and the majority is even better than that!

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' is as close to perfect as is possible and as the volume increases the playback is flawless.  This entire section plays with genuine quality and Ozzy's opening vocal section is just as strong and clear.  It continues in the same precise way - Ward playing with such skill and Butler adding his usual depth and dexterity.  There are a couple of minor ticks but even ticks is perhaps too harsh a word as they are very quiet!  The end vocal is perfect as is the closing instrumental and again Near Mint is very much deserved.

The intro on 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' plays with stunning precision and as the volume decreases into Ward's brief 'solo' there is still no background.  There is no interference during the opening vocal section and next instrumental / mid vocal are of the same high end standard.  Seriously the playback is superb!  There is one tick / very light click just prior to the final vocal but that is the only intrusion across the entire track.  Ward's 'finale' is perfect including the fade out so again I will grade as Near Mint

The classic bass intro on 'N.I.B.' has only minimal intermittent light static, nothing intrusive, and as it gets quieter there is no static at all.  Iommi's first introduction is strong and clear with barely any inner groove distortion and Ozzy's opening vocal plays with impeccable quality as does the following instrumental passage.  The next vocal section is perfect and it continues to play with outstanding quality for a final track.  There is no distortion and Iommi's mid solo is a case in point - absolutely stunning!  Ward again adding so much to the 'sound' and the remainder of this classic keeps up this exceptional standard.  I played it loud (of course) and the sonic quality is fantastic!  Just to repeat there is no distortion and the end section is just out of this world - what a version!  The bass intro is Ex but from then on it has to grade as Mint- such is the quality of the music.  Great to hear it at their 'final' gig also!

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'Evil Woman...' plays with supreme audio from the get go.  The intro is perfect and the opening vocal section has no background either.  The first chorus is on the same level and it continues in the same way.  Butler's deep bass is so strong, the depth and resonance of it is still very much in evidence, I cannot fault the sonic quality here.  The final vocal and fade out are perfect and I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the audio is here from start to finish.  Mint

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays very clearly with only a small number of minor ticks and Ozzy's opening vocal is flawless.  Just one minor static tick prior to Iommi's first downtuned section and this 'louder' section plays with unbelievable quality.  I know we expect the rhythm section to be good but wow it really is here - this entire instrumental section plays with stunning quality and again every note is so clean and distinct.  Right through to the end you cannot fault it - just minimal static on that final long Iommi note.  I will grade the intro as Ex but the rest has to grade as Mint- in my opinion.

The intro on 'Warning' plays deep and strong with no intrusion and the opening vocal section is equally as impressive.  All held together by Butler's superb bass work.  The following instrumental and vocal are both perfect and the beginning of the next instrumental with Ward at the helm is practically 'as new'.  There is just one very quiet tick as it comes to a stop, that is literally the only background.  From then on it plays with breathtaking clarity and depth - every section so clean and powerful.  Iommi's first stand alone section is a fine example - stunning clarity once more and the longer silence here is perfectly silent!  The playback is spectacular and the only interference is two dull click sounds towards the end of this 'solo' section.  As the volume increases the audio is faultless and Ozzy's concluding vocal is clean and definite with no intrusion as is the final brief instrumental.  As you can see the vast majority plays with STUNNING quality and there are only a couple of seconds of interference which does kind of make grading a little difficult.  I think Near Mint- overall is an honest appraisal of the audio but yes it is certainly Mint- for the majority.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

This very early matte textured cover is in superb condition, it has to be one of the best I have ever seen.  The edges are incredibly clean with hardly any rubbing and the corners have only minimal rub / wear.  The wide spine remains strong and clean with no marking and the opening edge has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover is stunning - it is totally unmarked and you can only see the minor 'rubs' on the corners and the back cover is just as impressive.  The inside of the gatefold is in great condition and has barely any of the spotting / fading that you so often see.  The two panels just have a handful of white 'specks' and some fingerprint type marks and these show up more on the photos than they do with the naked eye if I'm honest.  A superb early version of this iconic cover.

The Vertigo inner sleeve is also in lovely condition with no side splits or tears and barely any marking either, again how rare is that!  On close inspection I could only see minor age related fading on a couple of edges, a small amount only.  It has only a little creasing, a fine example.

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

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 9   1 5

VO 6  2Y * 1  420  1 9  1 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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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!!