Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a superb standard with a clarity, depth and power that is so impressive.  This is clearly a record that has not been played very much and that is confirmed by the sonic and visual quality and that there is barely any spindle wear.  The only real interference is on 'Solitude' but even then the majority still plays with great clarity.  It just has a little static and a small number of light ticks, no loud clicks or pops.  Side B is very impressive but Side A is absolutely stunning!

The iconic box cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original swirl inner (0671) is one of the cleanest I have ever seen.  Unfortunately the original poster is not included :-(

6360050  1Y // 1 ?  420  1 1 2

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 quiet end section Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint- / T3 Ex) 

The box cover is  is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and retains a very strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only detect a few very hairlines on each side which have no affect on the audio.  It has always been very carefully handled judging by its visual quality and there is also no groove wear.  The run out grooves are also very clean with only a couple of faint blemishes.  The Vertigo labels are close to perfect with no marking or writing and only 3/4 very small faint spindle traces on Side A and just one tiny barely visible one on Side B.  When you play Side A there is just a very gentle 'lift' on one edge but cannot be described as a warp.  It is only very minor and has no impact on the stylus or the audio.

Play grading  

The intro 'cough' on 'Sweet Leaf' has no 'background' which gives you an idea of the clarity on the opening grooves.  As Iommi familiar down-tuned sound comes in the audio is so strong and deep and Osbourne's first vocal is also faultless.  It continues to play with stunning precision and from start to finish there are no clicks or pops and no underlying static - the playback truly is exceptional and there is no distortion on the top end either.  It has lost none of its original sonic quality and I cannot overstate just how well it plays!  There is one minor static at the end of the fade out but this easily deserves a Mint- grade such is the quality.

The dead wax between the tracks is so 'clean' and the intro on 'After Forever' is nigh on perfect with just one insignificant dust tick.  As that classic riff enters the scene the audio is 'as new' and it progresses in exactly the same way I am delighted to say.  Again there is no interference and the power and definition of the audio is STUNNING!  Each note plays with such sharp precision and there is literally no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  The powerful end section can also be described 'as new' and the fade out has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  Mint-

This has to be one of the most impressive versions of 'Embryo' I have ever heard.  It is of course so quiet and yet it plays with sublime clarity and...no interference.  I honestly believe Mint is deserved here.

The slow build up on 'Children Of The Grave' could not play any better and the same can be said for the rest of the intro.  The first verse is equally as good and thereafter plays with incredible clarity and power.  For once there is no inner groove distortion and by turning the volume up you lose none of the original quality.  This is such a strong version and even the quiet end section plays very clearly with barely any static and just a couple of static ticks.  The 'bulk' of the track is Mint with the quiet 'finale' grading as Ex+

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The acoustic 'Orchid' is another example of a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years and a barely played one at that.  The audio is so clean and I only detected a couple of minor ticks and one further tick that is just a little more obvious.  For the opening grooves to play with such clarity on a vinyl of this age is a rarity and Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Lord Of This World' plays perfectly from the get go - the entire intro is Mint with no sign of any interference.  The first verse is of the same 'high end' standard and it continues to play with breathtaking precision.  Once again I cannot adequately put into words just how impressive the audio is here.  So deep and strong with that typical Sabbath menace and there are just no negatives.  This sonic quality is only found on a vinyl that has not been over-played - every section is STUNNING and I am more than confident in grading this classic as Mint such is quality.  Even the fade out has no 'background'!

The very quiet 'Solitude' plays with wonderful clarity for the vast majority.  The intro plays beautifully as does the first verse - just one mega light tick.  There is a little static in the instrumental section that follows but has largely disappeared by the time the next verse begins.  This verse then plays very clearly with only a handful of ticks and from then on it plays extremely well with barely any static.  The final verse is in fact so 'clean' and the closing instrumental the same - just a couple of light ticks.  This is perhaps not quite as impressive as the other tracks but the majority still plays with great clarity and it is worth noting there are no loud clicks or pops to be heard.  I think Ex is about right here.

The long intro on 'Into The Void' is 'as new' and the first verse is just as good.  What a start!  From then on there is much to admire!  There is no distortion and the clarity and power here cannot be faulted.  It is rare for this final track to play with such quality and I cannot praise it highly enough!  From beginning to end there is no interference to be heard and Iommi's end 'work' is a case in point.  Remember this vinyl is over 50 years old!  This is a fantastic Mint finish to this classic album.

In summary this first press plays to superb standard overall with only minimal interference on 'Solitude' on S2.  Don't get me wrong it still plays extremely well for the majority and is so much better than many versions you will hear!  Overall the clarity, depth and power of the audio is superb and it is patently obvious this record has not been over-played judging by the audio quality, the visual quality and that there is barely any spindle wear.  It is worth noting the final tracks on each side play with no inner groove distortion which is a rarity.  A fine example of this very collectable album.

The Box Cover & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The fully laminated embossed 'box' cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  It was a bit compressed so I have put some cardboard inside which has definitely improved the overall shape and strength.  All four wide edges are very clean with no marking/rubbing and only a small number of minor crease lines and the main spine is still 100% legible.  The top edge has lifted slightly as is common and the side edges are a but 'angled' but again this is often seen where the box covers were a little flattened.  The front cover is very clean with no marking and has only some minor laminate 'lift' near the S - couple of minor creases around the edges also.  The back cover is in superb order with only some minor laminate lift running down the right hand side.  A quite impressive example of this iconic cover and not trashed like so many.

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in lovely condition with no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing.  It is also incredibly clean with none of the age related fading that you regularly find.  This particular one is dated 0671 on one side - definitely one of the earlier ones, many have 0871 on them.  The only 'fault' with this one is that it has 1971 written in pen one side.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360050  1Y // 1 ?  420  1 1 2

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 1

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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