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Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo w/ original Poster

This very collectable first pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal intrusion.  S1 in particular plays with stunning audio and S2 isn't too far behind with just a little more background.  However, there is nothing that stands out - for example there are no loud clicks or persistent static.  The vast majority still plays with real quality and as per usual a full audio grading is given below.  The clarity and depth of the audio is very impressive and the power and definition is superb also, there is no distortion at all.

It includes the often missing poster which for once is in pristine condition with no obvious wear, it is stunning!  This one weighs 39g - the originals are either 38g or 39g.  The embossed box cover is in excellent shape with not very much shelf wear and the original Swirl inner (dated 0671) is also in excellent condition.

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 3

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint- / T3 Ex+)

The audio S2 is Ex+ (T4 Mint-)

The embossed box cover is a very strong Ex-

The original 38g poster is Mint-

The original Vertigo swirl inner is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see a few faint hairlines and two very small radial type lines on Side B and they have no affect on the audio.  Side B also has one tiny speck that refuses to move resulting in two dull sounding clicks.  Looking at the vinyl in 'normal' lighting it is very clean indeed, it has been very well looked after.  There is no groove wear or bag 'rash' and the Vertigo labels are so clean with very little spindle wear.

Play grading  

The run in on S1 has no background and then the intro on 'Sweet Leaf' is perfect including the cough!  The opening vocal section is just as strong and already you notice that the depth and resonance of the audio is still very much in evidence.  In my opinion this is the most 'down-tuned' of all the early Sabbath albums and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is out of this world!  Iommi's 'sound' is so strong and deep and so far I have only 'picked up' a couple of barely audible statics.  The mid instrumental again plays with incredible audio and for once there is no static distortion on the top end.  The final vocal / instrumental has no intrusion and the fade out is perfect with not so much as a dust tick.  This is a stunning Mint- version and I'm not sure the minus is necessary truth be told!  It is easily one of the most 'complete' versions I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.

The build up intro on 'After Forever' has just one tick, no other background, and as soon as Iommi comes in the audio could not play any better.  The first classic riff section is flawless and Osbourne's first verse has no intrusion either.  The brief instrumental that follows is perfect and the second verse again shows how well this vinyl has been preserved.  This standard is very much kept up as it progresses - one of the finest riffs in the known universe (!) and the sonic quality is again so impressive.  The power, depth and definition of the audio is rarely as good as this and this is exactly why the first  pressings are so collectable.  The final vocal section is 'as new' and that pretty much applies to the entire track aside from that one minor tick at the start!  The end instrumental is as clean and powerful as anything I have ever heard before and you can easily hear Butler's strong bass in amongst it.  I will grade the intro as Near Mint- but the rest is Mint without doubt.

'Embryo' plays very clearly with only the lightest of background static here and there, nothing intrusive.  It has to be Ex+ at the very least.

The entire intro on 'Children Of The Grave' is incredible!  It's 'busy' of course and yet every note is so clean and succinct, nothing is lost.  The opening vocal is equal to that - the instrumental bridge is faultless and the second verse has no interference.  The mid instrumental is phenomenally good and whilst I know I can get a little effusive when the sonic quality is on this 'level' I'm sure I can be excused!  It continues to play with STUNNING quality - I am playing it LOUD and yet the audio definition does not suffer for it.  The separation is incredible and there is no distortion to be heard.  Iommi and Ward at the end - the playback is awesome!  Hate using that word!  The super quiet end section has only a couple of minor statics and is rarely found as clean as this.  Once more I am going to grade as Mint- but I might be doing myself an injustice!

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The acoustic 'Orchid' on S2 begins perfectly but there are a couple of light static ticks about 10 seconds in and a maybe two dust ticks.  The remainder plays very clearly with only one other static sound and overall Ex+ is fair.

The long intro on 'Lord Of This World' has just one static click but is in time with the music so isn't too obvious.  The opening two verses play with sublime clarity and the mid instrumental is 'as new' without any background.  The familiar deep Sabbath sound is still very much in evidence - no 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion either.  The high octane 'chorus' is perfect and the only interference is two dull clicks during the final verse but they are not that intrusive as they are in the background.  The end instrumental is perfect as is the fade out.  I think Ex+ is about right here although it's fair to say the vast majority is better than that.

The intro on 'Solitude' plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible statics and one light tick just before the vocal comes in.  Osbourne's first 'gentle' vocal is very clean with only a handful of mega quiet ticks and the following brief instrumental has no background at all.  The second verse is near perfect and Iommi's quiet solo has barely any static.  There are a couple of static ticks at the beginning of the final vocal but do not really intrude on the audio, they are not loud.  The rest of the vocal plays with great clarity as does the closing instrumental including the gentle fade out.  The so quiet percussive tinkling right at the end is superb!  Overall Ex+ is deserved here.  Not quite perfect but it is nonetheless an impressive version with only minimal background.  The majority on a genuine first press are not as good!

The intro on 'Into The Void' plays with that typical deep Sabbath sound and the audio is indeed stunning.  This track always plays with a kind of staticy vocal sound there is no escaping it!  It does not detract from the sound quality and is purely down to how it was recorded / produced and maybe because it is the final track on the side.  It is a very minor thing and I just prefer to be 100% 'complete' with my grading, it should not be downgraded because of it!  The opening vocal section here has no intrusion and it continues to play with great power and clarity.  The instrumental sections are superb - the depth, resonance and warmth of the audio is again 'high end'.  The final vocal passage / instrumental ends this classic album with no interference and Mint- is richly deserved.

The Box Cover, Poster & Swirl Inner

The embossed box cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear.  I have placed two pieces of cardboard inside that always helps it regain some of its original shape.  All four spines are still strong and wide and only the bottom one has a little rubbing along one edge.  The 'main' spine is 100% legible and has just one very small rub and a handful small laminate creases running horizontally.  The left and right spine are slightly angled as is common and the top and bottom spine are a little 'open' that's the best way to describe it.  Again that is customary once cardboard is put inside.  The corners are in excellent order with only minimal wear and the front cover is very clean with only a minimal amount of laminate lift next to the spine and a small section near the top edge.  A couple of small laminate creases next to the spine also.  The back cover is even more impressive with hardly any laminate lift next to the right spine.  A very strong example overall.

The original poster is in fantastic condition with no edge splits or tears, no pin holes in the corners and no marking on either side.  Some very faint rubbing on a couple of edges but it hardly warrants a mention it is so minor.  The original poly-lined Vertigo inner sleeve (dated 0671) has een looked after so well and has no side splits or tears and only a little age related fading around the edges and a little creasing.

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

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

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 3

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 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

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 : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 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!!