Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/Box Cover & Original Poster (Vertigo)

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing quite simply plays 'as new'.  A bold statement to make but one I am confident in saying.  The previous owner was a true audiophile and he confirmed that this vinyl had only ever been played the once.  Judging by the audio and visual quality of the album I have no reason to doubt him and indeed there is no spindle wear to be seen which lends further weight to this theory.

The clarity and sonic quality throughout is outstanding and in all my years I have never heard a better version.

The iconic embossed box cover is in superb condition and has retained its original shape so well with barely any wear.  For once it comes complete with the original matt 38g poster which is in pristine condition.  The original swirl sleeve dated 0871 is also in excellent order with only minor wear.

As stated if anyone wins all three of the Sabbath albums I am selling I will offer free worldwide shipping!  This would otherwise be quiet expensive as the extra insurance required would be a lot!

6360050  1Y // 1 ? 420  1 1  1 5

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2  2 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The box cover is Ex+ very close to Near Mint

The original 38g poster is Mint

The labels are Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

You would be forgiven for thinking this was a recent repress!  The vinyl is so 'clean' and could not look any more impressive.  It has a pristine jet-black glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches at all.  In fact under a bright light I cannot even detect a single hairline, it is just perfect in every way!  There is obviously no groove wear and has been so well preserved down the decades.  As stated there is no spindle wear and the run out grooves and labels are also in beautiful condition.  The most stunning first press I have ever seen.

Play grading

The run in grooves on S1 are as quiet as could be with no 'background' at all and gives a good indication of what is to come!  'Sweet Leaf' then plays 'as new' there is no other way to describe it.  From the opening note the depth and power of the audio is exceptional and on such a pristine vinyl you get a real sense of Iommi's downtuned sound.  The clarity of the audio is equal to that of an unplayed vinyl and I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays, it is STUNNING!  There are obviously no clicks, pops, static or crackle not even a single dust tick and that includes the fade out.  This is Mint I have no hesitation in saying.

You then have complete silence in the dead wax again providing further evidence of the superb clarity on offer here.  The classic 'After Forever' then plays to the same 'high end' standard as the previous track.  From start to finish there is no interference and it plays as well as it did when first released back in '71.  Every note plays with sublime precision and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound i.e. the definition of the audio could not be any clearer.  The 'high octane' end section is so dynamic and the fade out has no 'background'.  This is pure Mint audio in all its glory!

The very brief 'Embryo' is again Mint with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  There is no underlying static which is rare for this quiet instrumental.

'Children Of The Grave' is 'as new' from the first groove and it continues to play with unrivalled quality.  With that typical deep Sabbath sound the audio could not be sharper.  It plays with outstanding clarity and power and there is no inner groove distortion - this is rare for any final track let alone one from this era and such a 'loud' one at that!  You can play this at full volume and there is no lessening in audio quality whatsoever.  Even the quiet end section plays beautifully with no sign of any interference and is easily the 'cleanest' closing section I have ever heard.  The sonic quality is stunning throughout and Mint is again an easy grade to give.

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The acoustic 'Orchid' on S2 is just immaculate!  It plays with such beautiful precision and you have to remember this vinyl is close to 50 years old!  It could not play with any greater clarity and needless to say there is no interference.  You regularly find the opening grooves on any vinyl playing with some background static but that is certainly not the case here.  Mint again.

'Lord Of This World' is of the same Mint standard with not one iota of interference.  From the intro to the first vocal to the fade out there is no interference and it plays with such sharp definition.  With every track playing so perfectly I am trying hard not to repeat myself but it is difficult!

As you might expect 'Solitude' plays with wonderful clarity throughout.  The intro is nigh on perfect with only a couple of insignificant light static ticks and the first verse is very impressive also.  Admittedly there are a couple of static ticks but again they are very quiet and totally non-intrusive.  This is vinyl after all but in saying that the clarity here could hardly be any better.  There is no underlying static, the playback is sensational, and in my opinion this is as good as a recently pressed high quality vinyl!  It continues to play with stunning precision and there are no clicks or pops.  Put simply this is the 'cleanest' version I have ever heard and to think this is a genuine first pressing!  It is so rare for this track to play with such distinction and you can hear each note with perfect clarity, even the gentle fade out plays 'as new'.  This again shows the record has hardly been played and a Mint- grade is more than deserved.

The long intro on 'Into The Void' is so deep and strong with no 'background' and continues to play with faultless precision as the vocal comes in.  Once again there is no distortion and the sonic quality here is again outstanding.  There is a lot 'going on' with this track of course, often fast paced but it has lost none of its original quality.  Every section plays with sublime precision and depth and...no interference at all.  Iommi's work on the final section is 'as new' and the rhythm section just adds so much to the overall 'sound'.  A fantastic Mint finish to this time-warp classic.

In summary this is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE first pressing.  The clarity, depth, warmth and power on both sides is exceptional and whilst I very rarely say this - I think it would be nigh on impossible to find a more impressive first pressing that comes complete with a superb box cover and original matt poster that is 'as new'.  It is so obvious this has only been played once and it is the true definitive version in my opinion.  I defy anyone to say different!  This is an immaculate first press that any avid collector would love to have in their collection.  An amazing 'package' for sure.

The Box Cover & Poster

The embossed box cover is in lovely condition and the edges have retained their original shape so well.  This is due to the fact that some cardboard has always been placed inside.  So often the corners and edges are badly damaged but that is not the case here.  They have no knocks or 'dings' and all you can see are a small number of laminate creases on them.  The corners are also in great shape with no obvious wear and the top edge is just lifted slightly but this is common occurrence.  The 'main' spine remains 100% legible and like I say has no wear.  The 'front' cover is in beautiful condition with only a couple of laminate creases around the edges and a slightly more obvious crease just above the S.  There are a couple of tiny white 'rubs' just below the S next to the spine but this is hardly worth a mention really!  The 'back' cover is in fantastic condition with no laminate wear and just one very small crease next to the right spine and just a very minor touch or ribbing on the bottom edge.  As I say the box has not been compressed in any way and it remains very strong and robust.  Printed by 'Howards Printers' this is a stunning example and it would be difficult to find better!

The original matt poster (with 6 panels and weighing 38g - checked!) is 'as new' and has perhaps never even opened!  It has one small 'print' mark on the back of one of the panels.  Being an original it does not have that glossy sheen or look of the reproduction copies.  Superb!

The Swirl Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Swirl' inner has no side splits but does have a couple of very small tears on the central 'window'.  There is also a little age related fading around the edges and some creasing, mainly in the corners.  It has the necessary 'print' on one side and 0871 can clearly be seen.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in perfect condition with no marking or writing and no spindle wear either.  They have hardly ever seen the light of day, stunning examples!

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

6360050  1Y // 1 ? 420  1 1  1 5

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2  2 1

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!

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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 : £5.75 (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 : £9.95 then £1.75 per extra 

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

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £1.95 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!!