Sold Date: January 19, 2024
Start Date: January 12, 2024
Final Price: £59.99 (GBP)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 1435
Buyer Feedback: 0

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath UK 1970 Vertigo 2nd Press, Metal, Rock
Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as THE originators and pioneers of heavy metal music. This is the debut studio album by the band, released on 13 February 1970 by Vertigo Records in the United Kingdom and on 1 June 1970 by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. 
The custom printed unlaminated gatefold card sleeve would certainly conservatively grade as EX+ if it were not for two things - firstly the front gatefold opening has been stapled so that it is closed (see pictures) and secondly a previous owner has written their name and address in biro on the inside of the front cover adjacent to the bottom edge (this has proved impossible to photograph and is is very difficult to actually see unless viewed under direct light at a certain angle).  Otherwise the sleeve shows only minimal signs of handling and storage wear (corner rubbing/bumping) but NO ring and very little edge wear. To be honest the photographs do not really reflect how good the gatefold is! The spine is clearly readable and the entry edge shows only minimal signs of use. Despite the defects mentioned above this is in great condition - very reasonable for a 53 year old item. It has upper-case only credits printed within the gatefold together with the corrected copyright warning “Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings…”
The original polylined paper swirl inner is damaged in addition to some age related discolouration. It is torn and graded a Fair only. It has the usual Vertigo inner sleeve printing 'MADE IN ENGLAND British Patent No. 800513 & 973939 - PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE DANGEROUS - TO AVOID SUFFOCATION KEEP THIS BAG AWAY FROM BABIES AND CHILDREN'.
The great thing about this copy is the large swirl Vertigo vinyl which has been played but is, without doubt, EX+. This is despite the fact that a previous owner has written the track times on the Side B label. The Vertigo labels are clean, apart from the track times, but do show some spindle marks. On play grading there was certainly nothing to really spoil the enjoyment of the record - even at high volume. It plays superbly with very strong audio. The only fault were four light clicks around 3-4 minutes into Track 1, Side A. As is usual in the second press the printed 'BLACK SABBATH’ is slightly moved to the right of the word ‘VERTIGO’. ‘VO6 847 903 VTY’ and below ‘847 903 2Y’ lines are farther from the edge and not lined up centrally. The last line is moved farther to the right than the other two above. The surfaces are very clean, glossy and shiny with no feelable marks, a superb copy that definitely grades as EX+. 
The matrix numbers are believed to be   Matrix / Runout (Runout side A): V0 6 1Y * 1 420 12 1 ?       (?-last figure cannot be deciphered) Matrix / Runout (Runout side B): V0 6 2Y * 1 420 12 4
An opportunity to acquire a rare and highly sought-after vinyl record in great overall condition.
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Orders for several items can be combined up to a value of £50 for a postage cost of only £5.99. They will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For. Items with a total value in excess of £50 must be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery. This is for insurance purposes and will cost £9.95 no matter how many items are included within the package. Please let me know if you wish to combine purchases and I will invoice you accordingly.
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