Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath (Vertigo Swirl 3rd Press 1Y1 / 2Y2)

This early pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a wonderful standard with only a minimal amount of interference on the first track.  The vast majority of this classic is Mint no exaggeration!  I recently purchased this from a dealer, along with 'Paranoid', who was selling them on behalf of a friend who only played them a handful of times.  The stunning visual quality and the clarity and depth on both confirms that.

The gatefold is in fantastic condition with only one small area of wear on the back.  It has to be one of the strongest and most robust I have ever seen and it is also extremely clean.  Being a later Vertigo pressing it has the composition and publishing credits but 'Ozzy' is still incorrectly spelt as 'Ossie'.

 The original swirl inner is also in superb shape with no side splits.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 2 4

VO 6   2Y // 2   420  1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint but VG+ in one brief section)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint to Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint-
The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

This early Vertigo pressings is in superb condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen.  It is so close to being perfect and the only imperfection is one very small scratch on the first track.  It is very faint and not easy to find I hasten to add!  Aside from that there are only a couple of faint hairlines and you can immediately tell this is one vinyl that has been so well cared for down the years and hardly played.  S2 is immaculate!  There is very little spindle wear and the run out grooves and labels are also in beautiful condition.  This really is a visually stunning album with audio to match!

Play grading  

The clarity on the 'thunder / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is phenomenal!  You can hear every subtle nuance with perfect precision and it's like it was pressed only yesterday!  There are 4/5 mega light ticks but they are so much in the background as to be totally insignificant, more like dust ticks.  It is a stunning listen 100%!  As Iommi comes in the audio cannot be faulted, deep and powerful with no 'background'.  The next quiet section and the first vocal have a some light ticks and 4/5 clicks which is such a shame as the actual clarity of the music is first class with no trace of any static or crackle.  It lasts for just over 30 seconds but if you can accept this the definition of the audio is superb.  From that point on the audio is nigh on perfect and with a depth and power that you only find on the first/early Vertigo pressings.  The quieter passages play with real precision, just a couple of light ticks, and the 'heavier' sections play 'as new'.  The classic end section is just out of this world!  It is Mint with no interference at all and the strong deep audio just envelops the room with stunning power and no distortion at all.  This is difficult to grade as the clarity is exceptional throughout but it does have that frustrating 'background' near the beginning.  I would say VG+ during this section and Near Mint for the remainder although the majority is better than that if I'm honest!

With complete silence between tracks the harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' has no 'background' and sounds like it did in 1970!  Thereafter there is nothing to fault, there is not even a dust tick.  The sonic quality is so impressive and I cannot praise this version highly enough.  It is Mint- from start to finish and the minus is only included so as to abide by RC guidelines!

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is of the same immaculate standard.  There is no interference and every section plays 'as new' I cannot say fairer than that.  It is very possibly the strongest version I have ever heard (same as the last track!) and even the bass end section has no 'background'.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- again.  Absolutely stunning!

'N.I.B.' closes the side with perfect audio once more.  It can turned up to maximum without fear of any distortion which is a rarity for any final track but especially one from this era.  It just provides further evidence of a vinyl that has been hardly played i.e. no groove wear etc.  It plays with incredible power and depth from the very first note and continues like this to the very end.  Iommi's work here is so 'clean' and again I'm just shaking my head in disbelief at the quality on offer here!  It plays beautifully with no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Mint- in every way!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Evil Woman...' has just one light click on the intro but again the overall 'sound' is just so much stronger than the recent reissues.  This is why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable of course.  The remainder plays 'as new' with wonderful depth and clarity and no sign of any interference.  I will grade as Near Mint because of the one minor click.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays with stunning precision and only a couple of mega light dust ticks.  The first verse is of the same quality and Iommi's first piece?   I've never heard anything like it!  The power and definition is breathtaking and you could not wish for it to play any better.  This entire instrumental section is 'as new' the sonic quality is off the scale - wow!  I cannot emphasise just how well this plays!  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and again it is patently obvious it has hardly ever been played, if at all!  That long final guitar note just plays perfectly!  This is Mint- you will not be surprised to hear.

The same applies to the bass/guitar intro on 'Warning' as there is no 'background' at all.  The first two verses play with immaculate precision and a special mention for the bass on this track.  It is so strong and deep and as 'clear' as it was back in '70.  Perhaps even more impressive with the improved stereo sound we have today!  The instrumental sections are just mind-blowing and I cannot put into words just how stunning the sound is here!  The mid section 'silence' is exactly that - completely silent and it continues to play with phenomenal depth and power.  This is STUNNING and I am not sure I want to sell this album!  There are only a couple of light ticks in the quieter sections as the track progresses but that does not classify as interference in my opinion.  This is vinyl!  The remainder plays with remarkable clarity and I am confident in grading this as Mint- it would be very difficult to find better. 

In summary this early Vertigo pressing plays with a clarity and definition that is so rarely found today.  There is only a little interference on the first track but even then the clarity is still very impressive.  The remainder of S1 and the whole of S2 play with breathtaking quality with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  Not quite perfect but not far from it!  A stunning album.

The Gatefold

It would be difficult to find a more visually stunning example of this cover.  At first glance it looks 'as new' and it is only on closer inspection that you can see a small hole on the back cover at the top of the 'tree'.  This area is dark and so not that obvious and I didn't notice it until the next day.  A little frustrating because aside from that it is in fantastic condition and hardly ever seen this clean.  The edges and wide spine have no shelf wear and the corners are also in lovely condition - only the bottom right corners have a minimal amount of wear.  The opening edge has only the bare minimum of handling wear.  The front cover is stunning and is as 'clean' as when it was first released with no marking or creasing and the back cover is the same apart from that one imperfection as stated.  The inside of the gatefold is pristine and so rarely seen as good as this. Overall a great example of this cover and would be Near Mint if not for that one small area of wear.

Inner 'Swirl' Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'swirl' inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and only a couple of very small tears on one side of the central 'window'.  There is just one very small mark but no fading or staining on either side.  A very clean example.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are stunning with only three very small faint spindle traces on Side A and only one on Side B.  This is clearly a record that has hardly been played!  There is no marking, writing or 'spotting' which is a rarity.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 2 4

VO 6   2Y // 2   420  1 1 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!