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 : Vol. 4 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1972

This first pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal background and the good news - there are no clicks or pops on either side.  The clarity, power and definition of the audio is very impressive and the only background is on the two quieter tracks 'Changes' and 'FX' which have a little static but even then it is quiet and very much sporadic.  They both still play extremely well!  S1 still plays with exceptional quality but S2 is out of this world!  The power and depth of the audio here is stunning!

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with no fading / spotting around the edges, how rare is that!  A couple of small marks on the front cover that is all.  The photo booklet is still perfectly attached.  As per this release it either came with a Vertigo inner or a Plastic Bags... one and this has the latter.  It remains in excellent shape with only minimal wear.

The first pressing has a 1Y1 / 2Y1 matrix, no Made in England on the Side B label, the gatefold is matte textured and inside reads 'We wish to thank the great COKE-Cola Company...'.  The track listing has no timings either.

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  1 5  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1  2 1  1 2  PECKO (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint / T4 Ex / T5 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 & T5 Near Mint)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex-

The photo booklet is Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen and no scratches.  The only obvious 'mark' is a thumbnail type hairline scuff across the first track but it is purely superficial as it has no affect on the audio at all.  Aside from that I can only see a small number of faint hairlines and there is no groove or surface wear and no 'bag rash' either.  The run out grooves are very clean and the iconic Vertigo labels are unmarked apart from some spindle wear around the centre holes.

Play grading

The entire intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with stunning precision and Osbourne's opening vocal section is just as impressive with no intrusion at all.  An 'as new' start for sure.  The second vocal keeps up the standard and the next instrumental passage is outstanding.  Each note is so clean and precise and Iommi's classic down-tuned sound has lost none of its original sonic quality The rhythm section of Ward and Butler are so strong here but particularly the former.  The audio is STUNNING!  As Ozzy bursts back in there is no distortion on the top end, remember this vocal is powerful!  It continues to plays with impeccable quality and the classic closing instrumental is up there with the best I have heard.  One minor tick in the quiet handover but it then plays with sublime quality and... no background.  I cannot praise it highly enough, it has such a 'clean' sound, and the long fade out has only a couple of insignificant light statics.  A Mint- start to this classic album.

The intro on 'Tomorrow's Dream' again plays without fault and the opening vocal is equally as strong.  This standard is kept up through every section - there is no static distortion, no interference at all basically.  You really notice how impressive the sonic quality during the first chorus - it's a powerful passage, especially on the vocal, and yet the clarity of sound is phenomenal.  If you win this just turn this section up to max you will know exactly what I mean!  The next instrumental is superb and the final vocal is, well, perfect.  The definitive Mint version you could say.

The gentle piano intro on 'Changes' plays very clearly with barely any static and the opening vocal is very similar.  This track so often plays with a fair amount of intrusive static (or worse!) but it is kept to an absolute minimum here.  The first chorus actually plays to perfection and from then on plays very clearly with no clicks or pops and only minimal light static but only intermittently.  The final verse / chorus plays with exceptional quality and the quiet closing section has only minimal background.  Difficult to grade in a sense - it is easily Ex+ but there are sections that certainly qualify as Near Mint

The even quieter 'FX' plays very clearly with only minimal intrusion.  A couple of static distorted 'moments' near the beginning but from then on it plays extremely well with only some light static here and there.  There is nothing 'loud' getting in the way.  This is Ex at the very least.

The percussive intro on 'Supernaut' has no background and Iommi's 'section' then plays with stunning quality.  Osbourne's opening vocal is very similar and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so so minimal.  In fact the more I play it the more I am impressed by it!  Ward is pounding his drums in such frenetic style and the power of the audio is tangible.  The mid instrumental is a fine example of that and his solo is superb!  No interference whatsoever.  The final vocal has only minimal distortion (very common with this track) and the end instrumental passage is perfect including the fading.  I think Near Mint is a fair assessment of the audio here.  It so often plays with a little distortion being the final track so in a sense should not be downgraded as a result.

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The intro on 'Snowblind' could not play any better, the clarity is so impressive, and Osbourne's opening vocal is on the same level.  Iommi's 'sound' reaching the same heights also.  The first chorus is just as strong and the following instrumental is again 'as new'.  The powerful section incorporating Ozzy's, Right, is just stunning as is the next vocal and the closing instrumental is breathtaking.  This is some of Ward's best work on this album - he is so high in the mix and the clarity and power could not be any more impressive.  Stunning!  This is without doubt a Mint version of this classic.

The menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' plays perfectly and that applies to the first vocal also.  It continues to play with a sonic quality that is second to none and much like the previous track I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and clear the audio is.  The instrumental sections are mind-blowing and to the very end it plays with phenomenal quality.  You can turn it up to max, you lose nothing with the 'sound' - loud and menacing this is Mint in every way.

'Laguna Sunrise' has only very minimal background static on the opening section i.e. hardly any and then plays with imperious quality from that point on.  The audio has such warmth and depth, every note so clean and precise, and you can easily see it as part of a film score.  Overall Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio.

'St. Vitus Dance' once again plays with superb audio through every vocal and instrumental section.  There is no interference, only a couple of very quiet static 'moments', very clean audio from start to finish.  Mint-

The intro on 'Under The Sun' plays with great clarity and the opening vocal section is perfect without any distortion.  It continues to play with real quality and you only the odd static sound during some of the instrumental sections.  Only some and it is very very minimal, hardly worth a mention really.  The entire mid section plays with such a powerful dynamic sound and there is no background.  Superb work as always from Iommi as per usual and the closing section is nigh on perfect with only a minor hint of mega light static for a couple of seconds right at the start.  The power and definition of the audio on this section is incredible!  It demands to be played loud!  The majority of this classic Mint but overall Near Mint is fair. 

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

This matte textured cover is one of the 'cleanest' I have seen in a long time.  Admittedly there is a small scuff mark next to the spine and an even smaller blemish near the top but it has none of the fading / spotting around the edges that you so often see.  Same with the back cover, no fading and just a minor touch of ringwear at the bottom.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the wide spine is superb with only a minor indent in the centre next to that mark on the front.  The corners have very little wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition and the 4 page photo booklet is still 100% attached to the cover.  The panels have only minimal faint marking on the left and right edge.  A very strong example and better than many you see today.

The poly-lined inner inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and no too much creasing.  It does have some age related fading around the edges, mainly top and bottom, but not an excessive amount.

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

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  1 5  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1  2 1  1 2  PECKO (etched)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 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!!