BLACK SABBATH VOL 4 1st PRESS 1Y1/2Y1 1972 VERTIGO SWIRL Pecko / Porky

	£		43
	$		57

Black Sabbath : Vol 4 1st Press 1Y1 / 2Y1
This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays with superb audio and no obvious interference.  It has just a little static/crackle at the start of S1 and on the two quieter tracks and one light click on S2.  Apart from that you could wish for greater clarity and depth.
A first pressing is denoted by there being no 'Made in England' on the Side B label and no track times on the inner gatefold.  The original cover has a matt texture and the VO Price Code on the back.  Porky and Pecko which is hand etched on the run out grooves is also only seen on the first pressings.  This of course relates to the famous cutting/mastering engineer George Peckham which is another reason why this issue is so collectable.
This cover has some shelf wear but nothing major it is good + and age related wear and inner booklet is still partially attached.
6360071 1Y//1  1 1 2 2 PORKY
6360071 2Y//1  1 1 1 7 PECKO
The audio on S1 is Near Mint for the majority (Track 1 intro slight static/same with Track 2, T3 Ex-Near Mint & Track 4, surface noise on intro VG + Track 4 Ex -Near Mint.
The audio S2 is Mint- (surface noise on intro to Track 1, track 2,3 4 and 5 No issues Ex-Near Mint.
The gatefold is GOOD + THIS Has Aged  ( 48 Years old )
The labels are Near Mint
The inner is Ex+ Near Mint. Play grading  
'Wheels Of Confusion' has only minimal static on the intro and 3/4 light ticks sounds but as the vocal begins the audio is nigh on perfect.  About one minute in there are are a small number of very light tick  sounds but they are very quiet and hardly intrusive in my opinion.  Thereafter it plays superbly with no interference.  This is Ex- at the start and Mint- for the remainder, the final instrumental section is stunning!  'Tomorrow Dream' plays with wonderful clarity and definition from start to finish and is Mint- without a doubt, an incredible version.  'Changes' plays very well for a relatively quiet track with only light static here and there.  but I still think Ex ,'FX' is of the same standard also.  'Supernaut' ends the side with great power and depth ,no issues Ex-Near  mint This Side A still grades as Near Mint- at the very least.
'Snowblind' on S2 plays is as near to perfect as is possible.  It has no interference and all I heard were a couple of very light ticks and provides a stunning Mint- start to the side.  'Cornucopia' is of the same immaculate standard, the playback is just sensational and yes Iv`e have listened to every second!  The sonic quality is just so impressive.  'Laguna Sunrise' plays with great clarity for such a quiet instrumental .  grades as Mint- for  'St. Vitus Dance' is Mint- as  the clarity is again out of this world!  'Under The Sun' ends this superb album with no interference aside from a minimal ticks, it is just what you expect to hear basically and does not impair the audio in any way.  It is Mint- and as you can see from my gradings this side plays to an amazing standard!
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and for a genuine first pressing is very clean indeed.  There are no scratches and only a small number of faint hairlines.  S1 has two very small faint marks and a couple of hairlines that are a little more obvious but it still retains a strong glossy sheen and a very impressive overall 'look'.  S2 is even better, it is visually stunning with only a handful of mega faint hairlines that obviously have no affect on the audio.
The Gatefold
The cover is in a worn  condition with only shelf wear.  The edges only have a small amount of rubbing - the top edge of the back cover has wear  but it is not a split!  and a little wear on the corners.  The other corners have some minor wear also and the opening edge has some handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean and has barely any of the spotting/fading that you so often see, just a little near the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition although whilst taking the photos the inner booklet did become a little loose from the spine (typical!) so I would say is only now 60 % attached.  I guess it could be re-attached with some careful superglueing!  Despite that the booklet is pristine with no marking.
The Inner Sleeve
This does not have the original swirl inner although in saying that I'm not exactly sure if they were all issued with one.  This is a plain white poly-lined inner with a patent application number printed on one side.  It has no side splits or marking and only some light creasing also some Foxing on the edge of the paper.
The Labels
The Vertigo labels are in superb condition with no spindle wear and no marking, writing or 'spotting'.  There is no vinyl 'flecks' around the spindle hole suggesting it may not have been played very much.
Play tested on my Rega planer 1 Turntable  Stylus weight of 1.91 gram /Quad 33/303 Amp  Cambridge aero 6  Speakers..


6360071 1Y//1  1 1 2 2  PORKY
6360071 2Y//1  1 1 1 7 PECKO
As stated on previous and ongoing listings these Vinyl Albums have been stored in a dry attic/ loft for 33 Years and have not been played in all that time !
Please look at my other listings ....Thank You.