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

Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y2 / 2Y1 WWA Records 1973

This WWA repress from 1973 plays with stunning audio and there is no interference.  I have played every track in full and I am confident in grading every track as Mint- or Mint such is the sonic quality on offer here.  Obviously there are no clicks or pops and there is no background static either.  All I picked up were a very small number of insignificant statics that are so much in the background anyway.  The power and definition on the 'typical' Sabbath tracks is phenomenal and the quieter ones play with sublime clarity and depth.  I cannot remember when I last heard 'Solitude' as clean and precise as this.  A FINAL UPGRADE as it were.  The vinyl is in superb condition and has clearly hardly ever been played.

I also think sonically this version is as strong as the early Vertigo releases. 

The cover is the non-embossed 'single sleeve' version and is in great condition with very little wear.  'Sweet Leaf' is spelt as 'Sweet Life' on the back cover.  The original Plastic Bags inner is also in excellent condition.

 ̶6̶3̶6̶0̶0̶5̶0̶ 1Y//2▽ 420 1 3  1 0   04   ---    ̶6̶3̶6̶0̶0̶5̶0̶ 2Y//1▽ 420 1 7 1 1   04  (WWA 008 etched on both sides)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The Plastic Bags inner sleeve is Ex+

The WWA labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  All I can see under a bright light light are a few very faint hairlines but they are purely superficial of course, they really are very faint!  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and the run out grooves are very clean also.  The WWA labels are more or less perfect with no marking and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is so clean and the 'cough' / intro on 'Sweet Leaf' is 'as new' as is the opening vocal section.  The instrumental bridge is on the same level with not even a dust tick and the next vocal section plays perfectly.  That typical deep, rich Sabbath sound is very much in evidence and as mentioned in the above description it is as strong sonically as the Vertigo pressings.  The mid instrumental a classic example - so strong and deep with no intrusion and the remainder is just as impressive.  This is the perfect start to the album and Mint is 100% deserved and that includes the fade out.

The intro on 'After Forever' again plays with sublime clarity and definition and Iommi's first riff has no background either.  The first vocal section is perfect and this classic continues in the same manner.  One of the finest riffs in rock history without question and every vocal and instrumental plays with a sonic quality that is second to none.  Crystal clear audio with no distortion and literally no background.  Mint all the way.

The brief 'Embryo' plays with wonderful clarity, there is only one minor static.  Mint-

The entire intro on 'Children Of The Grave' can also be described 'as new' and Ozzy's opening vocal section is equal to that.  The instrumental bridge is faultless and the second verse is as strong and clear as the first.  The mid instrumental is laden with power and that formidable down-tuned sound and again... no background.  The final verse is perfect and to the end it plays with impeccable quality.  For a final track the sonic quality is phenomenal and the quiet 'conclusion' is so clean with only a handful of minor statics so I will say Mint- accordingly.

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'Orchid' plays beautifully from the very first note.  It's often affected by static (or worse) but this version plays with a clarity, depth and warmth that is off the chart!  There is no intrusion whatsoever and Mint is a genuine reflection of the quality here.

The intro on 'Lord Of This World' keeps up the standard and the opening vocal section is just as clean and powerful.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the following vocal has just one minor static.  It continues to play with sensational audio - the 'chorus' has no distortion on the top end and this high end standard is maintained until the very end.  I will say Mint but even that minus seems a little harsh!

'Solitude' is often plagued with 'issues' no matter what pressing.  The quiet intro here plays with stunning clarity and Ozzy's opening vocal is so close to that with only one minor static.  It continues to play with such clean and precise audio and there is nothing that detracts from the 'listen'.  2/3 light statics but certainly no ticks, clicks, pops or persistent static.  The percussive 'tinkling' at the end for example.  Stunning 'as new' clarity for sure.  Mint-

The intro on 'Into The Void' is close to perfect with only a couple of seconds (if that) of minor distortion at the start.  The first vocal section is superb and it continues to play in the same precise way.  This track is often affected by inner groove distortion but it is not in evidence here.  I think this all proves that 1) this record has hardly been played and 2) it has been very well preserved down the years.  Once again every section 'shines' - as deep and clean as you would want it to be!  The closing instrumental a case in point - just superb.  Another Mint- classic at the very least.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The 'single' laminated cover is in great condition with only minimal wear.  The edges and spine are unmarked and there is very little rubbing on the corners.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is so clean with only a handful of minor edge creases next to the spine and a small corner crease bottom left.  It is not the embossed version of course. The back cover is just as impressive with only a couple of minor creases in the two bottom corners.  A superb example and Ex+ is fair.

The original poly-lined Plastic Bags inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only minimal age related fading around the edges and a little creasing.

 ̶6̶3̶6̶0̶0̶5̶0̶ 1Y//2▽ 420 1 3  1 0   04   ---    ̶6̶3̶6̶0̶0̶5̶0̶ 2Y//1▽ 420 1 7 1 1   04  (WWA 008 etched on both sides)

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

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

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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 : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £14.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 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!!