BLACK SABBATH, MASTER OF REALITY, 1971 UK VERTIGO SWIRL 1st PRESS

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

On offer here is a highly collectable example of Black Sabbath's classic third studio album titled "Master Of Reality", Catalogue Number 6360 050. It's a 1971 UK stereo first pressing on the Vertigo Swirl record label, with a 1st issue Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd. laminated box sleeve. It comes complete with the original Vertogo Swirl inner sleeve, dated coded "06 71". [The stamped record matrix numbers are the earliest 6360050 1Y//1 and 6360050 2Y//1]. 

The sleeve is in VG+ condition with light wear and  some laminate creases near the edges. It retains much of its original box shape. The front and back covers are unmarked. The spine is pretty square with all text clearly legible. There is what looks like a small area of colour touch-in to the right corner of the top opening flap (see close-up photo). Overall it's a very presentable example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. It is in VG+ condition with just a few light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are mostly superficial and have minimal effect on the audio playback. The Vertigo Swirl labels are unmarked with just some spindle marks near the centres. There is minimal wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout for the most part with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. I only noted a 3 or 4 light ticks in a couple of places during the whole album. The sound quality is very powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass and lots of wonderful Iommi sludgy guitar riffs.

The original Vertigo Swirl inner sleeve has some age discoloration and a few creases, but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a highly collectable first pressing of the third of Sabbath's classic 4 studio albums which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50