Here is an outstanding example of Black Sabbath s classic third album which looks and sounds superb. I have played the entire record and much of it play-grades as Near Mint NM with an overall play-grade of Excellent plus Ex for side one and Excellent Ex for side two.
This has the following 1st press matrix numbers:
Side 1: 6360050 1Y//1
Side 2: 6360050 2Y//1
The disk, the embossed box cover and the Vertigo swirl inner sleeve are all genuine 1st press originals. The poster is a genuine record company poster i.e. NOT
one of the reproductions currently being sold on ebay but it is not
original to this copy. The poster comes from a more-recent US issue.
Detailed description
Box cover: Superb example with no significant issues. This is among the nicest ones I ve seen just a handful of slight creases, some laminate lift and slight laminate cracks on the left hand edge of the front cover very common to these box covers , some wear to the left hand corners, but very little to the right hand corners. I have shown all the edges/corners in the photos. This is a very presentable
example.
Inner sleeve: Original poly-lined Vertigo swirl inner sleeve, date-coded 0671. No seam splits, just slight discolouration and normal signs of age and use.
Labels: Both labels look superb with absolutely no signs of damage, writing, stickers etc, and minimal spindle marking, suggesting that the record was rarely played.
Vinyl: The vinyl is perfectly flat and looks superb. This is a very fine example. In normal light the playing surfaces look virtually flawless, and even under direct, bright light, all I could see were a handful of fine hairlines and whispy sleeve-removal marks, but there is absolutely nothing significant anywhere. I have played the entire record listening intently through headphones and it sounds great. There are several quiet parts on Master of Reality that are hard to find with perfect audio the two instrumentals, the soft spooky end-section of Children of the Grave and Solitude on side two . Side one played virtually flawlessly right until the very end where there was a bit of background noise in the soft spooky end-section of Children of the Grave , but other than this, side one would play-grade as Near Mint NM . Side two wasn t quite as good: there were about eight crackly clicks in Orchid , three at the start of Lord of this World and five barely audible, tiny tics at the start of Solitude . Despite these minor issues, this is a superb audio performance overall, and my strict play-grade would be around Excellent Ex for side one with all but the outro to Children of the Grave being Near Mint NM and Excellent Ex for side two.
Poster: The poster is a genuine record company poster i.e. NOT one of the reproductions currently being sold on ebay but it is not original to this copy. The poster comes from a more-recent US issue. It has four panels and measures approx 23 x 18 inches . It is in mint condition.
Detracting features not covered above: None. This is an outstanding example and I think it would be hard to find a better one.Please check out my other items and take advantage of reduced postage costs for multiple buys.
Information about descriptions and gradings.
My items are always described accurately and fairly. I always do my best to
point out any blemishes which might detract from the item and all
photographs are of the actual item you will get. I am aware that different grading systems have different definitions and so I try as much as possible to describe items in plain English, rather than simply using gradings. Where gradings are given these are based on the UK RECORD COLLECTOR
GRADING SYSTEM. This grading system differs from some other grading
systems, in particular the Goldmine grading system. Please make sure
that you are familiar with the UK record collector grading system before
you bid.
Play-graded vinyl: Although I don t have time to play them all, I believe that records are for playing and so I try to play-grade records whenever possible. I always state in the listing if I have played a record prior to listing it. If I have play-graded the record I will usually only give a description of how the record looks i.e. not a visual grading . The grading in the listing will be a play-grading and may be slightly different from the grading that the record would receive from a purely visual inspection. If I haven t play-graded the record, it will be given a visual grading.
Play-grading MONO records: Mono records and stereo records have different grooves. A stereo record produces a stereo sound via both lateral and vertical groove modulation whereas a mono record is not intended to produce any sound from vertical modulation. Playing a mono record with a stereo cartridge will create distortion because it is trying to pick-up the vertical stereo part of the signal, whereas this is not intended to be heard on a mono record and so is just noise. Using a pre-amp with a mono switch will eliminate the noise caused by vertical modulation leaving just the lateral groove signal which is how the record was intended to be heard. Based on the assumption that most people choosing to listen to a mono record will have the right equipment to listen to it, I play all mono records via a pre-amp with a mono switch. My play-grading is based on how the record sounds when played through a mono switch. If you do not have a mono switch on your amp or pre-amp you will be reproducing the noise from the vertical part of the signal and so the record will not sound as good. This is not any fault of the record, it is inherent to playing any mono record through a system that it was not designed for.
Visually-graded vinyl: A
visual grading will identify physical flaws such as
scratches and can help determine whether a record has been cared-for
properly. I always do my best to give a fair assessment of any visible
marks on the playing surface, but
a visual grading will not identify noise or crackle caused by
non-visible sources. Most of the
records I sell are between thirty and fifty years old and so it is
likely that
there may be some background noise even if they look perfect. Please see Terms and Conditions below for my refunds policy for visually graded records.
I have some very simple terms and conditions. Please read them and ensure that you understand them before bidding. Thank you.
TERMS CONDITIONS
My items are fully guaranteed - if it is not as described you can return it for a full refund, including postage. Refunds for visually graded records which are returned based upon the buyer s assessment of the record s playgrade, will not include postage costs in either direction. Your bid is binding, so please make sure you have READ and UNDERSTOOD the WHOLE LISTING before you bid. I will not accept returns where the buyer has not read or not understood something which is stated/shown in the listing.
POSTAGE
PACKING
I care about the records I sell and believe that they need to be carefully and securely packaged to ensure that they survive their journey through the post. Vinyl is removed from the sleeve for posting and the contents will be protected with rigid cardboard stiffeners. Packages are labelled Do not bend and securely sealed with FRAGILE parcel tape.
I support
the use of recycled materials and so I may sometimes use recycled packaging.
If you wish your item to be sent in entirely new packaging please let me know
before paying for it. Thanks.
P P charges
My P P charges are totally transparent . Please read below and if you have any questions about P P costs please contact me BEFORE you bid. Thank you.
Sending items costs more than just the stamps on the package, but I try not to charge more for packing and posting your item than it actually costs me to do so. I need to cover the cost of packing materials, plastic sleeves, new inner sleeves where applicable , transportation, fees and charges associated with sending the item including fees incurred to receive the cost of postage and, where applicable, currency exchange etc. To cover some of these expenses I add a nominal figure to the basic cost charged at the post office athough the actual cost to me is always higher than this. I do not view P P costs as a means of making money.
To quote an exact cost for every LP is difficult because of the wide variance in weight e.g. Abbey Road weighs around 230 grams whereas Led Zeppelin III weighs around 390 grams . But the majority of single LPs, when packed, will weigh around 550 grams and I have based my P P rates on this.
Double LPs will be charged as two LPs, triple LPs will be charged as three LPs. Box sets etc will be charged according to weight.
If, when you receive your item, there is a significant discrepancy in your favour, please contact me and I will refund the difference.
UK P P costs
I offer three UK services. I DO NOT offer click and collect or FREE postage, so please do not select these options if they appear in the invoice. However, any item can be collected in person free of charge.
UK Standard service - items valued below 80 are usually sent using first class recorded post. The cost for this is as follows:
One to three LPs with a combined total value below 80 and weighing less than 1Kg 5.20.
Four to six LPs with a combined total value below 80 and weighing less than 2Kg 7.70.
UK Economy service - items valued below 80 can be sent using second class recorded post. The cost for this is as follows:
One to six LPs with a combined total value below 80 and weighing less than 2Kg 4.70.
UK Special Delivery - Any order valued over 80 will be sent fully insured using Royal Mail Special Delivery and the total cost of this will be 9.35 for one to four LPs and 12.00 for five or more LPs . Please wait for my invoice before paying.
Airmail tracked and/or signed to any country OUTSIDE the UK
Overseas orders will ONLY be sent tracked and/or signed.
Europe
First LP or 12 13.60, each additional LP or 12 add 2.20.
Rest of the world anywhere outside Europe
First LP or 12 17.50, each additional LP or 12 add 3.80.
Overseas orders valued over 80 will be insured for an additional 2.90.
Please note that overseas orders outside the EU need a customs declaration with the value of the package.
If you have any queries please email BEFORE you bid.
Thanks for your interest in this listing and for taking the time to read these details.
