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 : Vol. 4 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1972

This first pressing is one of the finest examples I have ever listened to, it has to be in my top 3!  Maybe even equal top!  I have sold numerous copies of this classic album over the years but rarely do you find one as clean and precise as this one.  It must have been purchased originally to belong in a collection rather than to be played on a regular basis.  Indeed the vinyl is visually stunning with only minimal spindle wear.

It so often plays with static distortion on 3/4 tracks and yet the clarity and depth of sound across both sides is phenomenal.  The quieter tracks 'Changes' and 'FX' for example both play so clearly with nothing to detract from the playback.  There are so many highlights here - the power and definition of the audio is exceptional also.  This is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in every way.

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear and the photo booklet is still perfectly attached.  For once this album comes complete with its original Vertigo inner - it is generally found with a Plastic Bags... inner.  It remains in very good condition with a little wear here and there.

The first pressing has a 1Y1 / 2Y1 matrix, no Made in England on the Side B label, the gatefold is matte textured and inside reads 'We wish to thank the great COKE-Cola Company...'.  The track listing has no timings on either.

6360071  1Y//1  1  2 1  1 0  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1 7  PECKO (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The photo booklet is Mint

The Vertigo inner is VG+

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is absolutely stunning!  A piece of art!  It has been looked after so well and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even when I look under a bright light I can only see a small number of ultra faint hairlines and they are difficult to find!  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and it gleams beautifully.  The run out grooves are incredibly clean and the iconic Vertigo labels are unmarked aside from one very small scratchy grey area on Side B.  There is only very minimal spindle wear - a superb example of this first pressing!

Play grading

The two part intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' plays perfectly with no intrusion and Osbourne's opening vocal section is on the same level with not even a dust tick for company.  The audio has that familiar deep rich Sabbath sound in no small measure helped by Iommi's classic down-tuned sound.  The second vocal passage is just as impressive and the mid instrumental is stunning with Ward's percussion particularly clear and strong.  Just played it back again - I cannot overstate how immaculate this entire section is, the playback is phenomenal!  When Ozzy bursts back in there is no distortion on the top end, remember this 'vocal' is loud!  This standard is kept up through the next section and the quiet handover into the final instrumental is crystal clear, incredible clarity.  It then plays with sublime quality and of course there is no interference.  Iommi's 'sound' is 'as new' and the long fade out has no background either.  In essence this could not play any better and Mint is 100% deserved.

'Tomorrow's Dream' reaches the same heights and plays with exceptional sonic quality through every vocal and instrumental section.  The clarity of sound is 10/10 - there is no static distortion, no background and 'as new' is a fair description.  That's not me over-selling it, that's just an honest appraisal of the audio.  If a record has been well preserved, not played that much and 'cleaned' there is no reason why the sonic quality cannot be retained.  Mint

The delicate piano intro on 'Changes' plays beautifully without any background and the opening vocal is equal to that.  How often does this quiet number play with a distorted type sound and especially on Ozzy's vocal?  Very often is the answer!  However, the audio here is not 'affected' in any way and the first chorus is another prime of that.  It continues to play with outstanding clarity and warmth and there is nothing to detract from the audio.  I only 'heard' a handful of barely audible dust ticks but so quiet and hardly worth a mention.  The piano and mellotron accompaniment is so clean and precise and I am confident in grading it as Mint- and it's safe to say I haven't heard too many of that standard down the years.

The ultra quiet 'FX' again defies the age of the album and plays with wonderful clarity from start to finish with barely any background.  The playback is so quiet and you miss nothing.  A couple of mega quiet statics that is all and the sonic quality is again phenomenal.  I'll say Mint- but even that could be considered a little harsh!

The powerful 'Supernaut' ends the side with superlative audio once more.  The rhythm section of Ward and Butler is so impressive here, their 'sound' so clear and concise, and if there is any inner groove distortion it's not worth writing home about!  Every section plays with such quality - the power, depth and resonance of the audio is superb!  Ward's solo is flawless and the final vocal / instrumental passage is the same.  Mint-

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'Snowblind' plays with superb audio from the get go.  The intro is faultless and Osbourne's first vocal is just as strong.  Iommi and co are just as clean and powerful.  I did notice one faint tick in the following instrumental which you could easily miss and the first chorus then plays perfectly.  From then on it plays with real quality and powerful section incorporating Ozzy's 'Right', the next vocal and Ward's drumming is stunning.  So often you can miss things when listening to a track - I mean Ward's work here is phenomenal it really stands out, every beat so strong and powerful.  The end section keeps up the standard and once again Mint- is deserved.

The menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' has no intrusion and the first vocal is 'as new' also.  It continues to play with a sonic quality that cannot not be beaten, it truly is a stunning version.  This classic album rarely plays with such clarity and definition and this is the version to end all versions!  Loud and menacing this is Mint in every way.

'Laguna Sunrise' plays with a rare clarity of sound, every note so clean and precise.  The audio has such warmth and depth and there is only one obvious tick on the fade out.  A stunning Mint- version.

The intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' has no intrusion and the opening vocal section is just as strong and clear.  It continues to impress on every level with no distortion, no interference.  A short track by their standards and Mint in every way.

The intro on 'Under The Sun' plays with sublime quality - Osbourne's opening vocal is very high in the mix and yet is so clean with no distortion.  It continues to play fast and loud and there is nothing to detract from the sound quality.  This is another track that often suffers from static distortion but not here!  More evidence of a well preserved vinyl and the classic end section is a case in point.  Superb work as always from Iommi as per usual and the power and definition of the audio is high end.  From start to finish there is no distortion, quite rare for this final track, and it ends this classic album with pristine Mint audio.  What a finish!

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

As the cover is matte textured it is often found with a lot of surface rub / spotting but this one is in excellent shape overall.  The top edges have barely any rubbing but the bottom edges do have more.  The spine has a little rubbing but nothing excessive and all corners are in pretty good shape with only minimal wear.  The opening edge is practically 'as new' with barely any wear.  The front cover is very clean with only a couple of very small faint blemishes and very little fading / spotting and the back cover is very similar.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition and the 4 page photo booklet is still 100% attached to the cover.  A very strong example and better than many you see today.

The Vertigo inner inner sleeve does have some creasing but barely any marking.  The catalogue number is written in pencil in one top right corner and in this same corner there is an edge split also, not a large one though.

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

6360071  1Y//1  1  2 1  1 0  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1 7  PECKO (etched)

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!!