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

Black Sabbath : Heaven And Hell A1 / B3 1st press

This first pressing plays to an incredible standard with no interference.  The only 'background' you will hear are a couple of light ticks on two intros nothing more.  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio has to be the finest I have heard on this album and a FINAL UPGRADE status is well deserved.  The vinyl itself is in fantastic condition and never have been played based on this and the sonic quality.

The cover has been so well preserved and remains in Near Mint condition, never seen better.  The original inner is also in great condition.

This is known as one of the earliest first press variations with the Essex Music / Muggins Music credit on the labels.

9102752  A // 1▽ ETH  1 1 9

9102752  B // 3 ▽ ETH  1 1 9

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint)

The cover is Near Mint

The 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeve is Ex++

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even when looking under a bright light I can only find a couple of ultra faint hairlines and as stated I would not be surprised if it had never been played, it really is stunning visually.  The run out grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are unmarked with no spindle wear.

Play grading

'Neon Knights' plays loud and true from the very first note.  The audio is so deep and strong and Dio's opening vocal section then plays with sublime quality and no intrusion.  Iommi's mid solo is flawless and rest of the track plays with stunning precision.  Marking a shift in direction it plays with incredible power and depth and Mint is well deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'Children Of The Sea' plays very clearly with only three light statics and the opening vocal is perfect.  As the volume increases the sonic quality cannot be faulted and it continues in the same precise way.  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion and there is no interference.  The next acoustic section plays beautifully with not even a dust tick and the remainder has no background either.  I will grade the intro as Near Mint- and is Mint from then on.

The intro on 'Lady Evil' is 'as new' and Dio's first vocal is equally as strong.  In fact every vocal and instrumental section is 'as new' with no intrusion on the audio.  A perfect Mint version. 

The title track 'Heaven And Hell' ends the side with superb audio.  Butler's bass is a big part of this track and every note is so clean precise.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and there is nothing getting in the way of the audio.  The sonic quality could not be any better and there is no inner groove distortion on the fast paced end section.  The acoustic finale plays with incredible clarity and again Mint is deserved.

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'Wishing Well' on S2 plays with phenomenal clarity, power and depth and... no background.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static just pure unadulterated Mint from start to finish.

The intro on 'Die Young' plays so clearly with only a couple of minor ticks, quiet and non-intrusive, and as the pace and volume pick up the audio is out of this world!  The depth and resonance is 'as new' and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  Again there is no distortion and the playback is STUNNING!  The quieter mid 'chorus' plays with such quality with not one dust tick and the rest of the track is just as strong.  Perhaps I should say Mint- but I will say Near Mint for the intro and Mint from then onwards.

'Walk Away' ends the album with imperious quality from the first note to the last with... no interference.  Once more you just have to admire how well this 44 year old vinyl has been preserved - the power and depth of the audio is undiminished and the clarity of sound is 'as new' also.  For once the long fade plays to perfection also.  Mint

The powerful intro on 'Lonely Is The Word' has no background and the opening vocal is just as clean and strong.  In a way a more typical Sabbath sound and Iommi's work here is phenomenal in every sense.  Delicate and powerful in equal measure and the first instrumental is a prime example of that.  Dio's vocals are as strong as ever and it continues to play with genuine quality and the end section has no intrusion at all.  A STUNNING version that has to grade as Mint such is the quality.  Another long fade out with no background, as good a finish as you would want :-)

In summary this first pressing plays with superb audio with no interference.  A couple of intro have a couple of minor statics but that is not interference in my opinion, just light background.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio on both is up there with the best I have ever heard.  There is no underlying static and you would be hard pressed to find a better version.  A stunning album with a superb cover also. 

The Cover & Inner

This cover is so often found in poor condition but this one has been very well preserved.  The top and bottom edge are so clean and the thin spine has no wear either.  The corners have no obvious wear at all and the opening edge is more or less perfect with only a couple of 'specks' next to it on the front cover.  Apart from that the front cover is in beautiful condition with just one other tiny speck next to the spine and the predominantly 'white' back cover is super clean with barely any fading around the edges.  A stunning example.

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in great condition with no side splits, only minimal creasing and hardly any marking.

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

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

9102752  A // 1▽ ETH  1 1 9

9102752  B // 3▽ ETH  1 1 9

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

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Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

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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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 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!!