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 plays to a very high standard with only minimal intrusion.  There are clicks or pops and S1 is only impacted by a some light static on 'Changes' and 'FX' which is so often the case of course.  However, it is not that intrusive and some sections still play with great clarity.  S2 is stunning!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is exceptional quality and there is barely any distortion, nothing grades lower than Near Mint.  The vinyl is in great condition also.

The gatefold cover has some wear but not an extensive amount and in my opinion is one of the cleaner ones on the 'market'.  It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and the photo booklet is still 100% attached albeit with some 'spotting' / marking on the first and last page due to some 'sticking' which in turn has affected the gatefold as can be seen in the photos.  The Plastic Bags inner sleeve is in superb condition although I am not sure if it is the original one included with the album.

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 1  1 7   PORKY (etched)

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

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 & T5 Ex+ / T4 Ex)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 & T5 Near Mint)

The gatefold is a strong VG+

The photo booklet is Ex-

The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex+

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a small number of faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  I can see a couple of tiny faint blemishes on S1 but they do not affect the audio.  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and it really is a fine looking vinyl!  The run out grooves are very clean and the Vertigo labels have only a minimal amount of spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' is perfect, the audio is rich and deep, and Ozzy's opening vocal section is just as clean and strong with no intrusion.  The instrumental bridge is flawless and the next verse can also be described 'as new'.  Sonically the audio is stunning - the depth and resonance could not be any more impressive and the same applies to the next instrumental section.  Of course Iommi is very much to the fore but Butler's strong bass adds so much to the sound as does Ward's stunning percussion - goes without saying really!  As Ozzy bursts back in there is no distortion and the instrumental / final vocal has no intrusion either.  The classic end instrumental plays so clearly - I only heard a couple of barely audible statics and the clarity and definition is stunning.  The long fade out has no background aside from one light tick right at the end but overall Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio here.  It's a superb version. 

'Tomorrow's Dream' keeps up the standard.  The intro and opening vocal have no interference and it continues in the same precise way.  The sonic quality is outstanding and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound or distortion.  This has to grade as Mint such are the levels.

How often is 'Changes' affected by sound issues?  This version plays very clearly with only some light static here and there.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the choruses play perfectly.  I will grade it as Ex+ overall.

'FX' then plays with great clarity for the vast majority.  There is a static sound as the volume kind of increases near the beginning and some very light statics as you approach the end but they are hardly intrusive as they are quiet.  Ex

The intro on 'Supernaut' plays so clearly and the opening vocal section is very similar.  There is always some inner groove distortion on this track mainly on the vocal but it's kept to a minimum here.  The mid instrumental is strong with a little distortion again and then Ward's solo plays with sublime clarity.  The closing section including Ozzy's final vocal plays with very strong audio and the long fade out is perfect.  It does seem a little harsh to downgrade it because like I say the 'end of vinyl distortion' is always prevalent but I will say Ex+ overall.

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The intro on 'Snowblind' is so clean and precise and the opening vocal section is basically the same with only a couple of barely audible statics.  The instrumental bridge / following vocal play without fault and Iommi's next down-tuned section is just as strong and clear.  The chorus is perfect and the Iommi's mid solo has no intrusion either.  So far so good!  It continues to play with impeccable and again you notice just how important the rhythm section of Ward and Butler were to the Sabbath sound.  The final vocal / end instrumental plays with stunning precision and there is no distortion on the top end.  This is a Mint- version.

The scary (!) intro on 'Cornucopia' is superb and the first vocal is just as strong.  From then on the clarity and definition of the audio is exactly what you want from a Vertigo pressing and the power cannot be faulted either.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with genuine quality and mid instrumental is a prime example - absolutely stunning!  The remainder has no interference and this is easily a Mint- version at the very least.

'Laguna Sunrise' plays with great clarity and I only 'picked up' a couple of light statics near the beginning.  It plays beautifully, each note so clean and succinct, and Near Mint is very much deserved.

The intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' is 'as new' as is the opening vocal.  It's a relatively short track by their standards and every section plays with a clarity and depth that is comparable to a hardly played record.  Mint-

The intro on 'Under The Sun' is deep and strong with no interference and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  A hint of inner groove distortion?  Hardly any really.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the next vocal is very clean with only minimal distortion.  From then on it plays with real quality and the mid instrumental is superb.  There is barely any distortion and the classic closing section is phenomenal.  Compared to the final track on S1 the clarity of sound here is a lot more impressive (that is always the case) and it gets louder and louder with no loss sonically.  It's a stunning finish to this classic track and Near Mint is 100% deserved.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is one of the cleaner ones you will find as it is so often marked with fading / spotting etc.  The top edges are so clean and the bottom edges have only a little rubbing.  The wide spine is near perfect with only minimal wear by the bottom corner and the other corners are in great shape with barely any wear.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover has only a handful of small white 'marks' in the lower right section and some minor specks and one very small scuff next to the spine.  The back cover has a few minor specks again and one slightly larger scuff in the top left corner.  The only issue with the inside of the gatefold is some white marks near the bottom of the left and right panels caused by some sticking to the 4 page photo booklet which has also affected the booklet to a certain degree.  More on Ozzy and less on Bill!  The booklet however is still perfectly attached to the cover.  A strong example overall.

The poly-lined Plastic Bags... inner is in superb condition with only a little glue related marking along the top edges.  It has no side splits or tears and barely any 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

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  1 7   PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1  1 0   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 : £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!!