Black Sabbath "Paranoid/The Wizard" Singapore Vertigo f/o picture sleeve 45

	£		158
	$		209

ARTISTE/TITLE/LABEL BLACK SABBATH  Vertigo 6059010 (pressed in Singapore) TRACK LISTING: SIDE 1: Paranoid SIDE 2: The Wizard
An original Vertigo 45 pressed in Singapore and housed in a fold over picture sleeve, this has become as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth with only about 8 sold so far. I sold 2 of them, one on 10/12/2006 for 190 GBP and another for 265 GBP on 25/06/2008 which, incidently, is the highest attained for this 45 to date. A record,no pun intended, of the sales can be viewed at Popsike. Both the front and back are identical as can be viewed from the first 2 pictures. The labels on both sides have the spiral at the 12 o' clock position. The matrix numbers are scratched in as it should be for Singapore pressings(the UK issue, albeit without the foldover picture sleeve should have them machine stamped). As the value of the pound vis-a-vis the Singapore $ was about 30% higher at the time I sold the other 2, I suppose starting the bids at 99.99GBP seems fair enough. Though potential bidders are more interested in the rarity, I have also cleaned and play graded the 45 to see if they are any faults  (see results of my grading below). I actually did not know I still had a remaining copy until I recently opened a box and noticed this as well as a few more 45s/EPs which I had overlooked in the past

Buyers please note that I am based in Singapore and that the postage rate indicated is for domestic UK shipping(It is part of the UK system and I cannot change it ...please read my shipping section below). 

GRADING RESULTS: 

 The jacket generally looks Excellent. There are no major writings, tears or seam splits but there are some light creases . 

Both sides of the vinyl look free of lines though there is a blemish at the start of side 1 which did not affect play or cause skips, loud clicks or thumps. It maintains its lustre and brilliance.Tracking at 1.7g on a Naim ARO/Linn Troika cartridge on a Linn LP12, there were some  extraneous surface noise  which were generally beneath the music and not intrusive. The playing could generally be graded as generally  Excellent  in view of this.

HOW I CLEAN AND GRADE MY RECORDS

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine  using the US made Walker Audio stage cleaning solution.

Playback Equipment: 

Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Linn Troika cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers.  I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Grado through a Naim 52/250 into Harbeth P3 speakers as well and generally the LPs are played through both systems.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable.

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears. 

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

NOTE ON SHIPPING:  With effect from 27th January 2009, EBay UK has introduced a new policy whereby UK sellers have to offer a basic UK inland postage amount which is limited to £4. I am not based in the UK but in Singapore and whilst the amount would not even cover 7"/EPs, I could bear the difference for 45s but not in the case of LPs.  £4 may be barely sufficient for surface mail which will take 8 to 12 weeks and without registration. I have indicated the shipping costs below for registered air mail, but if UK buyers insist that I stick to that basic amount, then I suppose I will send by surface mail though I strongly advise against that mode .

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays.  Shipping costs in pounds are:

UK/USA/Europe/Australia                       5.50  pounds

Each addeitional EP/45 : 1.5 GBP

 I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting which is usually within 48 hours upon receipt of the funds.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice)