BLACK SABBATH, PARANOID, 1970 UK VERTIGO BIG SWIRL

	£		113
	$		150

betsy50 Store

Important Information

All UK bidders please read the domestic postage information in red at the bottom of the LP description.

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the iconic second studio album by BLACK SABBATH titled “PARANOID”, Catalogue Number 6360 011. This is an ORIGINAL 1970 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the VERTIGO SWIRL RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st issue matt finish Keef designed gatefold sleeve which has the earliest “Management/Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham” credits [only the very first few sleeves from the printers carried these credits as they were hastily removed due to a change of the band’s management]. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue Vertigo Swirl inner sleeve.

It is important to explain the differences between genuine 1st pressings of Paranoid and later pressings/re-issues. The following is a list of 1st press features:

·        the matt finish gatefold sleeve has the “Management/Jim Simpson, Big Bear, Birmingham” credits inside the opening gatefold

·        the 1st press vinyl tends to be heavier and more rigid than later pressings

·        both sides have matrix numbers ending in 1

·        the Side B label has a large Vertigo Swirl logo (42mm diameter) as opposed to the smaller 31mm diameter logo of later pressings

·        the VERTIGO print on the Side B label is at the bottom of the label rather than under the Swirl logo as on later pressings

·        the P1970 date text on the Side B label is above 33? rather than underneath as on later pressings

The LP for auction here has all of these features confirming that it is a true 1st pressing of Paranoid and therefore a very important album indeed.

The matt finish gatefold sleeve is in EX condition with only very light wear and minor creasing. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. You can see from the photos that this is a truly excellent sleeve. I think that it will be very difficult to find another “Big Bear” credited sleeve of this standard.

The Vertigo record is very solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable.  

The Matrix Numbers and Stampers are:

Side A – 6360011   1Y//1 v 420   1   2   3?

Side B – 6360011   2Y//1 v 420   1  1   5

Both sides are visually in EX condition with beautiful clean playing surfaces. There are just a few very light sleeve removal type rub marks and hairlines visible under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The Vertigo Swirl labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality Vertigo pressing with outstanding sound quality. The record plays perfectly with all frequencies crystal clear. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). You simply will not find a significantly better-playing 1st press copy of this seminal album – I guarantee it!

Complete with the correct poly-lined Vertigo Swirl inner sleeve which is in VG condition. This has no splits or tears – just some age discoloration and a few creases.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

DOMESTIC POSTAGE

The free 2nd class postage option referred to above only applies to LPs paid for by UK cheque or Postal Order.

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs paid for by PayPal must be posted using a fully trackable postal service, i.e. 1st class recorded at £3.95 or Special Delivery Next Day at £7.25. These options will be specified on the invoice. If a PayPal payment is received which does not include payment for one of these trackable services, an additional payment will be requested. This is not negotiable.  If you are not happy with the domestic postage charges please do not bid.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs