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

Black Sabbath : Sabotage 1st Press 1Y1 / 2Y1

This first pressing on the NEMS label plays to such a high standard and there is no obvious interference at all.  There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of very light statics.  The clarity of sound is stunning and as for the power and definition of the audio - wow!  Look no further than 'Symptom  Of The Universe' it has to be the most 'complete' version I have ever listened to.  The vinyl is in beautiful condition and looks to have been hardly played based on its stunning visual quality, the sonic quality and the fact that there is barely any spindle wear.  This is truly a stunning example of this classic album.

The textured cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear on the top edge and the original inner is also in excellent order with no side splits.

This first pressing has 'Records & Tapes' below 'NEMS' on both the cover and the labels.  The cover is textured and 'Megalomania' is spelt incorrectly on the S1 label as 'Meglomania'.

9119001   1Y//1   ST   1 2   3   STERLING

9119001   2Y//1   ST   1 3   2   STERLING

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Ex+ / T4 opening section Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Ex+ / T2 Near Mint-) 

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in fantastic condition and you would not be disappointed if you had just bought it brand new!  It is visually stunning and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even when I look under a bright light I cannot make out any hairlines and the NEMS labels are pristine with only a couple of barely visible spindle traces on the S1 label.

Play grading

The 'band / countdown' intro on 'Hole In The Sky' has no background and the instrumental section then plays 'as new' with no interference.  Osbourne's opening vocal is the same same and it continues to play with outstanding quality from then on.  There is 'muddiness' to the sound and it is obvious already this vinyl has hardly been played.  It plays loud and true with no distortion and Mint is very much deserved.

The acoustic 'Don't Start Too Late' plays very clearly with only some light statics here and there which do not get in the way of the audio in my opinion.  Ex+

'Symptom Of The Universe' plays with phenomenal quality from the outset.  The classic opening riff from Iommi in conjunction with Ward's drumming is unbelievably strong and the standard does not drop as it progresses.  Another thing you also notice is how powerful Osbourne's voice here.  Every section plays with incredible sonic quality and the mid instrumental is a case in point.  Wow!  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion and Ward and Butler's rhythm section also add so much to the overall sound.  Each note is so clean and precise and the final acoustic section plays perfectly with no intrusion.  The 'definitive' Mint version you could say.

The quiet intro on 'Megalomania' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of of barely audible statics and the first verse is very clean also with only a handful of mega quiet statics, not intrusive of course.  The first chorus is 'as new' and then the next verse / chorus are 'as new' with no background.  The instrumental is equal to that and the next more powerful vocal section passage plays with exceptional quality also.  It continues in the same precise way -  the audio is so strong and dynamic and you cannot fault the clarity of sound.  Once again Ozzy's vocal is so impressive not surprising in a way when you consider the subject matter!  I cannot emphasise enough just how superb the playback is - the high octane / 'orchestral' finish is amazing and there is no inner groove distortion.  I will grade the opening section as Near Mint but the remainder is Mint in every single way.  Another stunning version.

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The intro on 'Thrill Of It All' has a small number of static ticks at the beginning but they are in the background.  As the volume increases the playback is stunning and the opening two verses play to perfection.  The instrumental bridge is so strong and continues play with sensational quality from then on.  The power and depth is up there with the best I have ever heard and again there is zero distortion.  The sonic 'landscape' is just perfect and to the end it plays with phenomenal audio, just a couple of static ticks on the fade out.  The intro is Ex+ but the rest is Mint- at the very least.  

The intro on 'Supertzar' has only a small number of statics ticks but they do not detract from the overall sound, it's only a few seconds.  From then on the clarity is stunning!  The Chamber Choir vocals are so impressive and I only heard a couple of quiet statics.  Near Mint- is fair.

'Am I Going Insane (Radio)' plays with genuine quality through every vocal and instrumental with no intrusion whatsoever.  Playing as well as it did back in '75!  Even the maniacal 'laughing' finale is perfect!  Mint

The quiet intro on 'The Writ' plays beautifully with no intrusion and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  The next quiet passage is crystal clear with not so much as a dust tick and from then on it plays with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  The power of the audio resonates throughout the room and the 'gentler' acoustic sections on the final third are STUNNING!  So clean and precise the clarity is 100% perfect.  The high octane finish could not play any better either and I am confident in grading this as Mint it truly is a superb version!

The 'hidden' track 'Blow On A Jug' ends the album with great clarity when you consider how quiet it is.  No intrusion basically, just a couple of mega quiet dust ticks.  Mint-

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning quality and with regards background there is nothing that stands out.  There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of light statics.  I call them statics because in my opinion they should not be called ticks because that makes them sound worse than they actually are!  The clarity of the audio is so impressive and as stated this is a record that has been so well looked after and only very lightly played.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The textured cover is in excellent condition overall with only one small area of wear.  This is on the top edge where there is a small break of the surface but the good news it has not resulted in a split.  There is some minor compression around this area also.  Aside from that the top edge is very clean and the bottom edge has just light rubbing.  The spine is in superb condition and all the corners have barely any wear.  The front cover is very clean with only a handful of minor creases next to the spine and that 'wear' near the top and the back cover is in great shape with no obvious wear at all.  A very strong example overall.

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner has only minimal age related fading around the edges and a little creasing.  There are no side splits or tears.

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

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

9119001   1Y//1   ST   1 2   3   STERLING

9119001   2Y//1   ST   1 3   2   STERLING

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

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Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

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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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 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!!