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 stunning in every way!  The clarity, depth, definition and power of the audio is spectacular and I have not heard one this strong in a long time.  It has clearly been so well preserved, one look at the stunning vinyl confirms this, and has not been played that much.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no background static either and it really could not play with any greater precision.  It has the most 'complete' version of 'Changes' that I have ever listened to and 'FX' also plays with stunning clarity.  This album is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing and just to repeat there is literally no intrusion on the audio.  'Supernaut' often plays with a fair amount of distortion being the last track on S1 but it is kept to an absolute minimum and 'Under The Sun' on S2 is even more impressive.  This is a remarkable album and visually you would not be disappointed if you had purchased it only yesterday!  It has a superb looking glossy sheen.

The iconic cover has also been so well cared for and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  It is exceptionally clean and the 4 page photo is 'as new' and still 100% to the cover.  The original Plastic Bags inner sleeve is in superb condition also and is dated 0872.

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

6360071  1Y//1  1  2 1  4  PORKY (etched)   ---   6360071  2Y//1  1 1  6  PECKO (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The photo booklet is Mint

The poly-lined inner sleeve is Near Mint-

The Vertigo labels are Mint-

The vinyl is a thing of beauty!  It is in fantastic condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even when I look under a bright light it is difficult to locate any hairlines - perhaps a handful of ultra small faint ones only.  There is obviously no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' it is a stunning example.  The run out grooves are so clean and the Vertigo labels have no marking / writing and only minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' is impeccable clean, strong and deep with no static distortion - perfect in other words.  Ozzy's opening vocal section is on the same level and the instrumental bridge is flawless.  The next verse more than keeps up the standard and as you enter the faster paced instrumental the audio plays with a clarity, depth and resonance that cannot be faulted.  So far.... not even a dust tick let alone anything worse.  This entire section is 'as new' and as Ozzy bursts back in there is no distortion (quite a rarity) and the next instrumental / final vocal plays with sublime quality also.  The classic end instrumental plays with STUNNING clarity and definition and this is without doubt the most 'complete' version I have heard in a long time.  Every note from Iommi on this final passage is so sharply defined, it just could not play any better, and the very long fade out has no background either.  As you can tell... this is a Mint version.  Wow what a start! 

The intro on 'Tomorrow's Dream' again plays deep and powerful with that familiar Iommi downtuned sound and the first vocal is perfect.  It continues in the same precise way with zero background.  You can turn it up to max without it having any affect on the sonic 'levels' and the mid instrumental section is a case in point.  Absolutely superb!  There is no distortion, no 'muddiness' to the sound and the final vocal and conclusion play to perfection.  Another Mint track.

As I often say...how often is 'Changes' affected by sound issues?  Very often is the answer!  The clarity of sound on here is incredible and there is none of the static distortion on Ozzy's vocal that you regularly find.  It plays BEAUTIFULLY and it's been a long time since I last heard one as clean and precise as this.  Even during the instrumental sections you will often find some static etc but not here!  Every note is crystal clear and I am 100% confident in grading it as Mint such is the quality.  I do not want to labour the point but it is so so rare to find a version like this, I only heard a couple of mega light statics from start to finish.

'FX' then plays with unbelievable clarity also.  A hint of barely audible static right at the start but you hardly notice it.  From then the standard is so high and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  A unique track of course and Mint- is well deserved.

'Supernaut' is a track often affected by inner groove distortion - it seems to be a common problem with this track.  However, the intro and the opening vocal here are the 'cleanest' I have ever listened to and the instrumental bridge and next vocal are just as impressive.  The mid instrumental is immense!  The power and depth is outstanding and if there is any distortion it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  Ward's solo can only be described 'as new' and the closing section including Ozzy's final vocal impresses on so many levels.  The long fade out has not so much as a dust tick.  Seriously what a version - and I honestly believe Mint- is a genuine reflection of the audio here.  In essence... the perfect side!

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'Snowblind' on S2 carries on where S1 left off!  The intro has literally no background and the opening vocal section is equally as good.  The instrumental bridge / next verse are flawless and again I'm noticing just how clean and precise the audio is.  There is no doubt in mu mind this vinyl has hardly been played.  The chorus is perfect and the Iommi's mid solo section plays a blinder, please excuse the pub.  The section just after Ozzy's 'Right...' is phenomenal with the power of Ward drums leading the way.  The final vocal / end instrumental play with sublime clarity and depth and this is a stunning Mint version in every single way.

The deep, menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' is perfect as is the opening vocal.  It continues in the same way with a clarity and definition that could not be beaten.  This is why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable, well one reason anyway.  If the vinyl has been well looked after sonically they are stronger than any subsequent pressings.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with STUNNING precision and Mint is again deserved.

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully with absolutely no intrusion.  The clarity of sound is incredible from the first note to the last including the fade out.  Wow you hardly ever find one like this!  It's such a great instrumental and yes it grades as Mint

The intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' is flawless and the opening vocal is of the same high end standard.  The instrumental bridge and next vocal are perfect and this level is kept up as it progresses.  Again I can't believe how clean and well defined the music is.  Mint every step of the way.  A relatively short track by their standards but still a great one nonetheless!

The intro on 'Under The Sun' is deep and strong with no interference and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  There is perhaps just a hint of inner groove distortion on the vocal but again it's so so minimal.  The 'sound' from Iommi, Ward and Butler is easily 'as new' and vocally there is no discernible change sonically and it continues in much the same way.  The mid instrumental is superb and the final is crystal clear also.  No distortion at all.  The classic closing section is as good as it gets.  The power, depth and clarity is outstanding and as seems to be the case with this track it just gets louder and louder towards the end.  Doesn't it or is it just me?!  The playback is phenomenal and it demands to be turned up to max, it's a fantastic all encompassing wall of sound.  I will grade it as Mint- that is the least it deserves.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is definitely one of the best I have ever seen.  The top edges are so clean with barely any rubbing and the bottom edges do have a little more but nothing extensive.  The wide spine is is lovely condition and all corners are just as impressive with hardly any wear.  The opening edge is close to perfect with just one small section of minor handling wear and the front cover is stunning!  So often it is impacted by surface rub / fading but not here!  It has only a few tiny spots on a couple of edges but they're not exactly obvious!  It has a small scuff by the bottom edge and the back cover is just as clean.  A little spotting near the bottom edge but again so minor.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate as is the 4 page photo booklet which remains 100% attached to the cover.  A STUNNING example and very close to Near Mint- but I will say Ex+ overall.

The original poly-lined Plastic Bags... inner (dated 0872) is in superb condition with no side splits or tears and very little creasing.  It just has a little glue showing through, as is common, mainly along the top edges.

6360071  1Y//1  1  2 1  4  PORKY (etched)   ---   6360071  2Y//1  1 1  6  PECKO (etched)

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

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 

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LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 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!!