I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Sabbath Bloody Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1973

This first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with no interference and as usual I have played every track in full so as to provide the 'complete' grade.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the only background, if you can call it that, is a small number of very quiet statics.  I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the audio is and it plays like it has never been played before, no exaggeration.  There is no spindle wear so you never know!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal and this is another Sabbath album I am selling that qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing.  The vinyl is in great condition also with only a couple of hairlines that are a little more 'obvious'.

The gatefold is in excellent order with only minimal wear.  Some surface rub on the back but less than so many!  The front cover is very clean indeed.  The lyric inner is also in superb condition with barely any marking and only minimal creasing.

WWA 005 * 1Y▽ 1   1 1  3

WWA 005 2Y * 1   1 1  3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex

The lyric inner is Ex+

The WWA labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a couple of hairlines on S1 that are a little more obvious plus a couple of tiny blemishes (marks seems too strong a word!) and one hairline mark that is again a little more obvious on S2.  However, they are still faint and have no effect on the superb audio.  There is no groove or surface wear and the WWA labels are perfect with no marking or spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' plays deep and strong and there is no background either.  The opening vocal is equal to that and the first 'acoustic' vocal has not even a single static sound let alone anything more.  'As new' so far!  The next classic riff from Iommi / Ozzy vocal both play with sublime quality and this high end level is kept up as it progresses.  The mid instrumental for example - loud and powerful with zero distortion, just stunning.  The final two verses have literally no intrusion and the closing instrumental is breath-taking.  This is the definitive version as it just could not play any better and even the long fade out plays to perfection.  Easy to grade - Mint

The intro on 'A National Acrobat' plays with great power and depth and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  This is a very clean vinyl so the depth of sound is greatly enhanced and on this track Butler adds so much to that.  It continues in the same way with no ticks, clicks, pops or static - the audio is so clean and clinical and the warmth and definition is up there with the best I have ever heard.  Every section plays with impeccable quality - can't get over the depth of sound to be honest!  The instrumental end section is a classic example of that, incredible sound and where it speeds up you just have to turn the volume up!  Another Mint track.

'Fluff' plays beautifully with no intrusion.  Iommi is on every instrument bar Butler's bass and the clarity of sound is STUNNING for a 53 year old vinyl.  It shows once again just how well this vinyl has been looked after.  Every note on the piano here plays so clearly and the harpsichord adds so much to the track also.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks so I will grade as Mint- accordingly but really you could not find a better version.

The long intro on 'Sabbra Cadabra' is so deep, strong and resonant and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  There is no inner groove distortion and the depth of sound almost makes you think you have to turn the bass level down!  From then on it plays so well, I cannot fault it.  Rick Wakeman's contribution is superb and the power and depth throughout is STUNNING!  The closing instrumental is a prime example.  Mint from start to finish, an unbelievable side of classic Sabbath!

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The intro on 'Killing Yourself To Live' has no intrusion and again that deep, rich sound is very evident.  The opening vocal section is on the same level and it continues in the same way.  No ticks or static etc the playback is so strong - it's quite a 'busy' track and yet there is nothing that gets in the way - from start to finish the audio is so clean and pure and once again the depth of sound is unparalleled.  Mint

'Who Are You?' has a couple of very quiet statics on the intro (you could easily miss them) and the first two verses play without fault.  The mid instrumental plays with great clarity and again only a couple of minor statics.  The repeated second verse has no background and to the end the audio is superb.  A change in direction for them but it's a great track.  Mint-

The intro and opening vocal on 'Looking For Today' play with exceptional quality and the following chorus is on a par with that.  From then on there is much to admire!  There are a number of acoustic sections and they all play with an 'as new' clarity and depth.  It's not one of their heavier tracks but the quality is still very much there.  Ozzy's vocal sound from start to finish is perfect and musically it is so strong also.  There is no distortion and the closing instrumental with Ward's 'heavy' percussion is superb.  Definitely worthy of a Mint grade.

The acoustic intro on 'Spiral Architect' plays beautifully with only a small number of insignificant statics, you can hardly them, and as the volume increases the playback is so strong and clear.  The opening vocal section is perfect including the chorus and it continues to play with genuine quality for a final track.  As stated this vinyl has hardly been played and that is certainly reflected in the sonic quality.  The middle strings sections plays with wonderful clarity and warmth and the final vocal is superb with zero intrusion.  The closing strings / 'audience' section has no background either and overall a Mint- grade is well deserved.  A stunning album all round with no interference.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

The cover is in excellent condition and more impressive than so many you see today.  The edges are extremely clean and the spine remains in great shape with very little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge has only minor 'crimping' in one section on the back cover edge.  The front cover is very clean with only the bare minimum of faint 'spotting' around the edges and a couple of small corner rubs also.  The predominantly white back cover has a little more surface rub / spotting but it's still clean and it's not excessive by any means.  The inside of the gatefold is in immaculate with no marking.  A very strong example overall.

The lyric inner is in superb condition.  It has only a couple of tiny 'specks', no other marking.  There are no side splits or tears and there is only a little creasing in one corner.  Not bad for a piece of paper!

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

WWA 005 * 1Y▽ 1   1 1  3

WWA 005 2Y * 1   1 1  3

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 : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 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!!