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

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays with superb audio overall and Side A in particular is absolutely stunning!  It is 'as new' with no sign of any interference.  Side B does have a little interference, a couple of clicks plus some light static on 'Solitude' which is common.  The vinyl is visually in fantastic condition and has no marks or scratches and an incredible glossy sheen still.

The iconic box cover is in excellent condition with only minor wear and the original swirl inner is also in great shape.  Unfortunately the original poster is not included :-(

6360050  1Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 2

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 1 7

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint+)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / T2 intro Ex- / T3 Ex / T4 Mint-)  

The box cover is a very strong Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and retains an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong light I can only detect a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines with perhaps a few more on Side B but they are still very faint.  There are only a couple of small spindle traces on the Side A label and nothing on Side B and I suspect it has hardly ever been played.  The Vertigo labels are in perfect condition and this really is a fine example of this iconic album.

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's familiar down-tuned sound comes in the audio is so strong and deep and I detected on a couple of insignificant dust ticks.  Osbourne's first vocal is flawless and it continues to play with stunning precision with no clicks or pops and no underlying static.  The playback is exceptional and it has maintained all of its original sonic quality - I cannot over-emphasise just STUNNING it is!  The mid instrumental is a case in point - the power and depth here is sensational and there is no distortion on the top end either.  I'm not sure I've ever heard this classic play with such strong deep audio and with such unbelievable clarity.  It is patently obviously that this record has hardly ever been played before.  The final vocal is perfect and the fade out is also super clean.  This is easily Mint- such is the quality.

The 'quiet' intro on 'After Forever' again plays with stunning clarity and as that classic riff begins there is no let up in quality.  It proceeds to play with an 'as new' sonic quality with no interference of any kind.  In essence this Mint in every way - the power and definition of the audio cannot be underestimated.  I never 'over-grade' as it is not in my interests to do so and my feedback pays testament to that.  As always I have played every second (such a chore!) and I can unequivocally say this is as good a version that you could wish to find.  Each note is so sharp and precise and the deep resonance of the audio just envelops the room with no intrusion on the audio at all.  The powerful end section exemplifies just how immaculate the audio is - blast it at full power there is no distortion.  A couple of light ticks on the fade out so will grade as Mint- accordingly.

'Embryo' plays to near perfection with only a couple of minor static ticks but there are no clicks or pops and no underlying static.  Near Mint+

The slow build up on 'Children Of The Grave' is 'as new' and the same can be said for the rest of the intro.  The first verse is just as impressive and it continues in the same way with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  It plays with incredible power and depth and for once there is no inner groove distortion, another sign it has hardly been played.  This is audio of the highest calibre and there are no negatives.  Even the 'high octane' section near the end plays perfectly and the final quiet section again plays with sublime clarity and only a handful of minor dust ticks.  A stunning Mint- end to the side.

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The acoustic 'Orchid' plays extremely well with only very minimal static.  I also heard a couple of light clicks and a slightly louder one nearer the end but the actual clarity throughout is still very impressive.  Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'Lord Of This World' does have one click but there is no visual clue on the vinyl to suggest a reason so is perhaps a pressing fault.  The rest of intro plays incredibly well with only one other light click.  The first verse has no 'background' and the second is of the same 'high end' standard and it continues to play with breathtaking precision.  The mid instrumental is so strong and clear with only a couple of mega light ticks and the following 'chorus' is 'as new' for sure.  The final verses has no interference and the end section also plays with tremendous clarity and power, just the one very light click.  I will grade the intro as Ex- but the remainder is Near Mint in my opinion.

The very quiet 'Solitude' often plays with a fair amount of static/crackle on these first pressings and whilst this version isn't perfect it still plays very clearly.  There is some light static but each note can still be heard very clearly and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  An odd high pitched sound on the final section but overall I would say Ex is about right here.

The long intro on 'Into The Void' finds the audio back to imperious best and the first verse has no interference either.  A superb start to this final track!  The second verse is of the same standard - it really does play with wonderful clarity, definition and power.  The 'high octane' verse has no distortion and the remainder plays with stunning sonic quality also.  From start to finish there is no 'background' and I cannot praise this version highly enough.  Iommi's final section that brings the track to a close is superb and remember this vinyl is now 50 years old!  A Mint- finish to this classic album.

In summary this first press plays to a very high standard and S1 in particular is stunning with a sonic quality that is comparable to an un-played record.  S2 does have a little more 'background' which is a little more noticeable on 'Solitude' but it remains an excellent 'listen'.  Overall the clarity on this side is still very impressive and there is no distortion on either side which is a rarity.

The Box Cover & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The fully laminated embossed 'box' cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  There is some cardboard inside which has helped maintain its original shape extremely well.  All four 'spines' are very clean with no marking/rubbing, just a few minor crease lines and the main spine remains 100% legible.  The top edge has lifted slightly and the side spines are bit 'angled' but this is common.  The corners are very strong and have very little wear.  So often you find some marks or scuffs on the 'spines' and corners but there is none of that here.  The front cover is in excellent order and has only a little of the usual laminate 'lift' you see on the left edge, certainly less than usual.  The back cover is also in great condition with only minor crease bottom right and some light creases around the edges.  A very impressive example overall.

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in lovely condition with no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing.  This one is also very clean with only very minimal age related fading around the edges.  There is no date code on this one but it does have the original patent numbers in one corner.

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 2 2

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 1 7

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

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