Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 2nd Press

This second pressing on the Vertigo label plays with sonic quality with barely any interference.  It is only the start of S1 that has a little 'background' but even that is brief and not at all loud.  Aside from that the clarity and definition is stunning and the vast majority is 'as new' and having played it twice I am confident in my grading as shown below.  The vinyl is also visually very impressive.

The iconic cover is also in exceptional condition with barely any shelf wear and original swirl inner is also super clean.

Being a second press this has a large 'swirl' logo on the Side B label and VERTIGO is written below the spindle hole.  The matt textured cover has 'Ozzy' incorrectly spelt as 'Ossie' and the band and production credits are in capitals.  It is missing the full composition credits that you see on later pressings.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 3 4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint but Ex- on the intro for a few seconds)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The original swirl inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen.  It really is very clean and with only one small mark at the start of S1 there are no real negatives.  I can only detect a small number of faint hairlines on both sides and it would be difficult to find better.  There is some spindle wear but certainly not an excessive amount and it is patently obvious this is a record that has always been carefully handled down the years.

Play grading  

The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' plays with great clarity and the only issue is a small number of light ticks and 5/6 minor static clicks also.  By no means is this 'loud' and the vast majority of this intro plays superbly well and with no underlying static.  Once Iommi joins the scene the audio is faultless and the first vocal section more than demonstrates how well this record has been preserved down the years.  It continues in the same way and only the odd word has a very minor distortion sound which is totally non-intrusive and I only mention it to be 'complete' in my grading.  The overall sound is so strong and there is no static and obviously no clicks or pops.  The up tempo end section is 'as new' there is no other way too describe it.  You can see why these early Vertigo pressings are so collectable as you just don't get the same level of definition, power and warmth on the later pressings.  This is a stunning version and grades as Near Mint but with an Ex intro.

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' is as close to perfect as is possible with only a couple of mega light ticks.  In fact the entire intro is Mint- the playback is exceptional.  It progresses in the same sublime way with no interference and the depth of the audio could not be stronger.  An outstanding version where every note can be heard so succinctly.  This is Mint- from start to finish.

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is of the same 'high end' standard.  There is nothing that intrudes on the audio and the sonic quality is again so impressive.  Every section plays with such precision and even the percussive end section is flawless.  No need for a minus here this more than deserves a Mint grade.

The bass intro on 'N.I.B.' is so 'clean' with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and thereafter plays with wonderful depth and power.  I cannot overstate just how well this classic track plays!  For once there is no inner groove distortion and there is quite simply no interference of any kind.  This is Mint from the first groove to the last and the end solo is breathtaking!  A STUNNING version in every way.  Wow!

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'Evil Woman...' plays with incredible clarity, depth and power from the opening groove to the last.  I listen to every track in full and this is 'as new' no exaggeration.  The sonic equality is equal to that of a Vertigo pressing that has never been played before!  The fade out also has no 'background', not even a single dust tick.  Mint

The acoustic intro on 'Sleeping Village' has no interference and that is more than maintained as the vocal begins.  I have no wish to be repetitive but the audio on this instrumental has to be finest I have ever heard.  The definition and power of the audio is outstanding and from start to finish there are no negatives.  The audio is so deep and the heavy bass adds so much to the mix.  What a version!  This is Mint in every single way!

The heavy bass/guitar intro on 'Warning' is 'as new' and the opening verses play with stunning precision also.  The entire 10 minutes plus of this classic plays as you would want it to play - with jaw dropping clarity and that familiar deep Sabbath sound with no interference at all.  This has to be the most 'complete' version I have heard in a long time and even the 'quieter' moments play with sublime precision.  The stand alone Iommi solos are so 'clean' and of course there are so many quiet sections here.  There are a small number of very light ticks near the end just prior to the final 'louder' section' but they are very much in the background and non-intrusive.  In fact I have just stood in the centre of the room so as not to be so close to the speakers and you barely notice them.  This end section including the final verse plays to perfection and whilst this track isn't quite Mint it isn't far from it!  I think Mint- is an honest appraisal - it certainly provides a fantastic end to this classic debut album.

In summary this second pressing plays to a wonderful standard with only minimal interference at the start of S1.  Aside from that the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is up there with the best I have heard and S2 in particular is absolutely stunning.  There is complete silence in the dead wax between every track so this gives you an idea of the clarity on offer here.  The sonic quality is exceptional and with no underlying static or crackle the playback is so 'clean' with only minimal 'background' like I say.  The vinyl is visually stunning and it comes complete with a superb cover and swirl inner also.  A stunning 'package' all round.  

The Gatefold

The matt textured cover again has been so well preserved and has retained its original shape so well with no bends or creases.  The top edges are near perfect and the bottom edges have only a little rubbing.  The wide spine is in fantastic condition and remains 100% legible with just one small 'rub' on one edge.  All corners have been very well preserved and have barely any wear either plus the opening edge is near perfect also.  The front cover is immaculate with no marking or creasing and the back cover is equally as good.  The inside of the gatefold is so often affected by fading/spotting but this one is super clean with only a very minimal amount of fading around the edges but it not obvious at all and one minor crease.  This is a fine example of this iconic cover.

The 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined swirl inner dated 0970 is in superb condition with no side splits or tears and no marking either which is very rare.  It just has a little creasing but is without doubt one of the best I have seen.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in great shape with no marking or writing, just some spindle wear as stated.

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 3 4

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 1

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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