Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/Philips credit

This rare and very collectable first pressing on the Vertigo label is stunning and of course it has the Philips credit on the Side B label.  The vinyl is visually stunning bar one tiny scratch and one faint mark on Side A and it plays to a Near Mint / Mint standard for the vast majority.  The 3/4mm scratch does cause some interference and this is described below but it does not last long and the remainder of the side is superb with only one other intro having a little 'background'.  Side B is phenomenal!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so good and the entire side is practically 'as new'.

The record has only been lightly played down the years and there is not too much spindle wear to back up that theory.  The vinyl is so clean and apart from the one tiny scratch it really is in lovely condition.  The gatefold has also been incredibly well preserved!  As this is a genuine first press the cover is lightly textured compared to later issues and the band member and production credits are printed in capital letters.  Only later editions included the composition and publishing credits.  What categorically denotes this as a genuine first press cover is that below the credits it incorrectly states 'Copyright subsists in all Stereo recordings...' and this was soon replaced with 'Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings...' on all subsequent pressings.  It goes without saying that Ozzy is misspelt as Ossie on the inside and that it has the large Swirl logo above the spindle hole.

This cover is without doubt the finest example of its kind that I have ever seen.  The original swirl inner is also in great condition with very little wear.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 8

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 3   

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) for the majority (T1 Near Mint with a 15 second G- section / T3 intro VG+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint
The original swirl inner is Ex+
Visual grading

This vinyl is in lovely condition and despite its 50+ years still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  It is only on very close inspection that you can see the very small scratch on S1, about 3/4 mms, causing the interference as described below plus one other faint mark which has no affect on the audio.  S2 is visually stunning with no marks or scratches and there are only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side.  They are not easy to find!  There is no groove wear and this is easily the finest Philips pressing I have ever seen.  The runout grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are also in beautiful condition with only a little spindle wear.

Play grading  

The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' plays with stunning clarity - it is practically 'as new' with only a couple of dust ticks and Iommi's first introduction is also very impressive with just one light click.  There are then eight clicks as you come out of this section - they are rather loud and intrusive but it is during an instrumental passage which lasts for only 15 seconds.  Osborne's vocal has only 3/4 light ticks at the beginning and from then on the playback is exceptional!  There is no background static and the power and depth of the audio could not be any stronger.  The quieter sections play with supreme clarity with only a couple of seconds of very light static and as you enter the up tempo section the audio could not be any better.  This classic end section then plays with a sonic quality that is STUNNING and there is just one light tick in the brief silent section before the final note.  The vast majority is Near Mint but of course does have that 15 second G- section.  A shame because the rest is so darn good!

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' does have a handful of static ticks and a couple of light clicks but there is no underlying static and the playback is still very 'clean'.  Once Ward & co join in the audio is nigh on perfect with only a couple of minor ticks and Ozzy's first vocal has no interference.  It then plays with incredible precision and you can tell this record has not been over-played.  The sonic quality is again superb and the remainder plays with that familiar deep foreboding Sabbath sound with no intrusion of any kind.  The vast majority is Mint- but with a VG+ intro - a stunning version.

The intro on 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is 'as new' and the first vocal is equally as good.  It proceeds to play with sublime clarity and power and there is literally no intrusion on the audio.  Every note is so sharp and precise and the percussive end section has only a couple of very light ticks.  This is Mint- from start to finish.

The iconic bass intro on 'N.I.B.' is so good!  With only a couple of mega light ticks it is so close to being the perfect intro.  Remember this is a Vertigo Philips first pressing!  As Iommi comes in this same standard is maintained and it continues to play with a clarity, definition and power that cannot be faulted.  There are no negatives and again the audio is just so powerful and deep and has lost none of its original quality.  The vocals are immaculate and there is no distortion on the top end.  Iommi's end solo is imperious and to the end there is no interference.  For a final track to play this well is a rarity indeed and especially with this pressing.  You can turn it up to max, shut your eyes and transport yourself back to the halcyon days of doom metal when the phrase wasn't even invented!  This is Mint- and provides a stunning finish to the side.

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The intro on 'Evil Woman...' plays with great clarity and there are only a couple of very light ticks on the opening grooves.  Most sellers would not even this as they are so minor and totally non-intrusive!  Osborne's first vocal is faultless and it continues in the same way with a clarity and definition that defies its age.  Again the sonic quality is so impressive and aside from one light click towards the end there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen.  A Near Mint start to the side.

The acoustic intro on 'Sleeping Village' is 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment and there is just one light tick after the first vocal.  The following instrumental section then plays to a breathtaking standard and Iommi's distinctive sound could not play with any greater power or definition.  This entire section, and I mean entire (!), is absolutely STUNNING and there is no 'background at all.  I was hearing things I have never heard before, that is a measure of the clarity we have here!  It plays with such precision and even Iommi's final extended note has not one single dust tick let alone anything more.  This is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is very much deserved.

The heavy bass/guitar intro on 'Warning' plays to perfection as do the opening verses.  It then plays with remarkable quality and I only detected a couple of very light ticks during the first vocal section.  The second vocal is flawless and the percussive instrumental section also plays with 'crystal clear' audio.  The brief 'silent' section is exactly that, totally silent with no intrusion.  It continues to play with pure unadulterated Mint audio and the clarity, depth and power throughout this entire instrumental is STUNNING in every way.  Iommi's stand alone solos play with sublime quality and the quieter sections also play with wonderful clarity.  The second 'silent' passage has one light tick but that hardly qualifies as interference!  The 'louder' section that introduces the final section is faultless and Osborne's final vocal has no interference either.  This 10 minute classic plays with a rare quality and is easily one of the finest versions you are ever likely to hear.  And I repeat on a Philips first press!  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- but really I am not sure the minus is required.  There is no underlying static and obviously there are no clicks or pops.  What a way to end this classic album!

In summary this is without doubt the finest Philips pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  Yes there is some interference on the title track which is intrusive so please consider that when making your bid but on the plus side it does not last long.  There is also a little 'background' on 'The Wizard' intro but aside from that you would be hard pressed to find a more impressive Vertigo pressing than this.  The remainder of S1 is stunning and nearly all of S2 is Mint!  There are only a couple of minor ticks and one light click on the first track but as for the rest?  I do not think I have heard better.  There is no underlying static and the clarity is STUNNING on both sides.  Judging by the audio and that there is not too much spindle wear clearly points to a record that has not been on a turntable that often.  As detailed below the iconic cover is in fantastic condition also!

The Gatefold & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

This is one of the best versions of this cover that I have ever seen and of course is the original one with the capital letters and the incorrect 'Stereo' wording on the inside.  It is lightly textured with barely any shelf wear and is also still very strong and robust like it has hardly been handled down the years.  It has retained its shape perfectly.  The top edges are near perfect condition with only a tiny amount of wear next to the right hand corners and the bottom edges are also very clean with only minimal 'rubbing'.  The wide spine is in fantastic shape with only a couple of minor 'specks' and it remains 100% legible.  All corners are in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the opening edge is close to perfect with just a minor hint of wear at the top and bottom.  The front cover is near perfect with no marking or creasing although you can just see a miniscule amount of wear on the bottom two corners (hardly noticeable) and the back cover is also in superb condition with just a tiny corner crease bottom left.  In a way the most impressive aspect is on the inside of this rare cover.  So often it has a lot of marking/fading but there none to be seen here, a genuine rarity.  There are a handful of barely visible white 'specks' but this is easily one of the cleanest 'insides' I have seen on any Vertigo pressing.  This truly is an exceptional version of this iconic cover and I honestly believe a Near Mint- grade is a fair one.

You will not be surprised to hear that the original poly-lined inner is also in superb condition with very little wear.  There are no side splits or tears and only a couple of small faint marks on one side and a little age related fading on the top edges.  There is very little creasing, a fine example overall.

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 8

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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