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 collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Headless Cross A1 / B1 1st press 1989 I.R.S. Records

This very collectable first pressing plays with superb audio for the vast majority with only minimal intrusion and this is described in detail below.  Overall the clarity, depth and power of the audio is stunning - this album was praised by many critics at the time as their best since the Ozzy days and having played it in full (as always) you can see why it is so collectable.  There are some hairlines but with barely any spindle wear I suspect it has not been played very much.

The cover is in great shape with only some wear in the centre of the spine (but no splitting) and the lyric inner is practically 'as new'.

EIRSA 1002 // A-1U-1-1 / B-1U-1-1 // AUDIO - ONE etched on S1 only

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex- / T2 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex+)

The cover is Ex

The lyric inner is Mint-
The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  Under a bright light I can see some faint hairlines, a couple of small faint hairline scuff areas and one slightly more obvious hairline mark at the end of S1 but they are superficial as they have no affect on the audio.  The IRS labels are unmarked and have barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'The Gates Of Hell' has just one dull pop sound right at the start and then plays very clearly with only minimal light static every now and then which is very much in the background.  This instrumental rarely escapes interference I find on the original first pressings and overall I would say Ex- is fair.

The percussive intro on 'Headless Cross' has barely any static and the Iommi section then plays to perfection.  Martin's opening vocal has a minor tick and one light click and then plays with supreme quality from that point on.  The power and depth of the audio is so impressive - you cannot fault the sonic quality and the fade out has only a couple of dust ticks.  I will say Ex+ but that is only because of the one light click, the vast majority is far better than that!

'Devil & Daughter' plays with phenomenal audio from start to finish with no intrusion.  Martin's vocals are so powerful and Iommi's work is as strong as, well always!  There is nothing to detract from the audio and grades as Mint

The quiet intro on 'When Death Calls' plays beautifully with barely any static and the first verse is flawless as is the high octane that follows.  The next quiet section has only a handful of very quiet statics and thereafter it plays 'as new' with no interference.  There is no distortion and I cannot emphasise enough how well it plays!  Brian May's solo is stunning and overall Mint- is deserved.  A superb version.

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'Kill In The Spirit World' plays with genuine quality from the get go.  Again the playback is so strong with tremendous power and depth and it's only during the quieter section that you can hear a little static.  A little static at the end of the fade out also.  Let's say Ex+ but again the majority plays to a higher standard than that.

'Call Of The Wild' is stunning.  With only one barely audible tick the clarity and definition of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard.  Mint-

The intro on 'Black Moon' is perfect as is the opening vocal section.  The chorus is equal to that.  Martin is really testing his vocal range here and as per usual he passes with flying colours.  The clarity, power and resonance is exceptional and 'as new' is a correct description here including the fade out.  Mint

The acoustic intro on 'Nightwing' plays so clearly with barely any static and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  The first chorus plays with impeccable clarity and power and it continues to play with STUNNING quality.  No interference and only minimal light static at the end of the fade out.  A Mint- conclusion to the album.

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The top and bottom edge are incredibly clean and the spine has only some rubbing in the centre.  The corners are in great order and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The glossy front and back cover are super clean with barely any marking, just some of the usual faint fingerprints.  A fine example overall.

The lyric inner is in fantastic condition with only a couple of tiny corner rubs that are hardly worth a mention!

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

EIRSA 1002 // A-1U-1-1 / B-1U-1-1 // AUDIO - ONE etched on S1 only

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

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 : £24.95 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!!