Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/Box Cover (Vertigo)

This first pressing plays with wonderful audio and only minimal intrusion.  There is very little static and only a couple of gentle clicks and even the quieter tracks play with impressive clarity.  S1 in particular is stunning and S2 is not far behind!

The iconic embossed box cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear.  Sadly the poster has long since disappeared and it includes a 'plastic bags' inner not the 'swirl' version.

Apologies for the shipping cost but the Royal Mail have massively increased their prices recently.

6360050  1Y // 1 ? 420  1 1 0

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 9

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Track 2 Near Mint- / T4 Near Mint to Mint-)

The box cover is a very strong Ex almost Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The 'plastic bags...' inner is Ex

Play grading

'Sweet Leaf' on S1 plays with stunning quality from start to finish.  So well produced it has that deep foreboding sound that only Iommi's downtuned sound can give.  There is no interference just a barely audible static sound here and there but I may be doing myself an injustice by even mentioning it!  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- it is superb!  'After Forever' has only very light static on the quiet intro and then plays with superlative audio!  Again there is no intrusion and the clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive.  There are a couple of mega light ticks but that of course does not qualify as interference in my opinion, they are not clicks!  A Near Mint version for sure.  The brief 'Embryo' is Near Mint with only a very mild hint of static distortion.  'Children Of The Grave' has only a couple of gentle ticks on the intro and then plays with superb resonance and power.  This is a stunning version and you can turn it up to max without fear of distortion!  The quiet end section has only the lightest of static and Near Mint is a fair assessment.

'Orchid' on S2 plays with great clarity.  There is just the lightest of background static, a handful of mega light ticks and just one light click right at the end.  I will grade as Ex+ although I am sure many would grade higher.  'Lord Of This World' plays with real depth and power and again there is just a mild hint of background static every now and then.  In saying that perhaps I am only hearing it because I sit so close to the speakers!  Believe me when I say it is totally non-intrusive and the music is still very much to the fore, the clarity is very impressive.  There is one light click but that is the only interference and a Near Mint- grade is deserved.  'Solitude' plays very well with only a little static and a couple of light static clicks.  Overall the audio is Ex+ and the vast majority plays beautifully.  Near Mint in many sections.  The intro on 'Into The Void' is 'as new' and it continues to play with incredible definition and clarity.  There is no interference, just a couple of barely audible dust ticks, and barely any inner groove distortion.  A superb Near Mint if not Mint- version to close this classic album.

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition with no marks or scratches and it still has a superb glossy sheen.  S1 does have a few hairlines but there is nothing that stands out as such.  S1 is stunning, it is even cleaner with only a couple of faint hairlines.  There is nothing on either side that affects the sound quality.  There is no groove wear and has obviously not been played very much judging by the minimal spindle wear and audio quality.

The Box Cover

The embossed box cover is in excellent condition and has maintained its original shape very well.  There is some cardboard placed inside.  All spines/edges are very clean with just one very small scuff on the top edge and a small number of laminate creases.  The 'main' spine remains 100% legible and has only a little wear on the top corner.  The other corners have hardly any shelf wear.  The 'front' cover is in superb order with only minimal laminate creasing for once!  There are a couple near the top and 2/3 minor ones in the lower right corner.  The 'back' cover is just as good with only a couple of faint creases.  The box has not been compressed in any way and remains very strong and robust.  Printed by 'Howards Printers' this is an excellent example of this original cover.

The Inner Sleeve

This does not have the original swirl inner although with some first pressings maybe it wasn't included?  I purchased this album about three years ago and it has a poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner which is certainly old!  It is in excellent shape with no side splits and only minimal age related fading and creasing.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in superb condition with no marking, writing or spotting and only minimal spindle wear.

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 0

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 9

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

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