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 collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This first Vertigo pressing plays to a fantastic standard with only one millisecond of interference!  There is just one click on 'Sweet Leaf' and aside from that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is just stunning.  The playback is so clean and precise and 'as new' more or less sums it perfectly.  There is no background static and even the quiet tracks 'Embryo' and 'Solitude' play with amazing clarity and literally no intrusion.  I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the sonic quality is and it may well be the finest example I have ever listened to.  There is also no inner groove distortion as you approach the end of each side and one of the reasons is that LP has hardly ever been played.  It is visually stunning with barely any spindle wear and it still has some vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole.  A near perfect example of this very collectable album.

The embossed box cover is in lovely condition and has kept its shape incredibly well as some cardboard has been placed inside, it cannot have been handled very much at all.

The large folded 6 panel colour poster is in excellent shape with only minimal wear and yes it is the original one!  The swirl inner has also been preserved so well although may not be the original as it is date coded 0372.

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 1 0

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 2 0

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The embossed box cover is Ex+

The original poster is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

The swirl inner is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light when you hold the record at a certain angle can you see some faint sleeve removal hairlines which obviously have no impact on the audio.  There is no spotting, no dulling of the surface and no groove wear either it really is a superb example.  There is barely any spindle wear and you can even see a little vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole which provides further evidence that it has hardly ever been played.  The audio confirms it!  The Vertigo labels are practically 'as new' as they totally unmarked apart from a couple of very faint spindle traces as stated.  A stunning example!

Play grading  

The run ins on any album are often affected by static/crackle regardless of age and yet this run in is so clean and has no 'background'.  As a result of this you are already expecting this classic album to play with great clarity and it does not disappoint!  The intro on 'Sweet Leaf' including the cough (!) begins perfectly and Osbourne's first vocal has no intrusion either.  It continues to play with that deep menacing Sabbath sound and the second verse is equally as strong.  There is one click during the mid instrumental although I cannot find the cause.  Aside from that this opening track plays with stunning audio and has lost none of its original sonic quality.  The depth and resonance of the audio is just so strong and the sound just envelops the room with no distortion on the top end.  The final verse is faultless as is the closing section and the fade out also plays with perfect clarity.  This is so close to perfect but I will grade as Near Mint due to that one millisecond of interference.

The entire intro on 'After Forever' is 'as new' and that level of clarity also applies to the first verse.  In my opinion this is one of Iommi's finest riffs and every vocal and instrumental section plays like the record has never been on a turntable before!  No ticks, clicks, pops or static the audio could not be any more precise and even the high octane end section followed by the quiet finale/fade out plays with stunning quality.  This is Mint in every single way.

'Embryo' plays with exceptional clarity from the first note to the last with no intrusion at all.  Rare for this track to play so clearly Mint is again deserved.

The intro on 'Children Of The Grave' again plays with sublime quality and Osbourne's opening vocal more than keeps up the good work.  From then on it plays to the highest standard possible with no intrusion.  This power and depth of sound is only found on vinyls that have hardly been played and and there are just no negatives here.  You might expect some inner groove distortion with it being the final track but there is none.  Once again the sonic quality is just STUNNING throughout and even the very quiet end section plays beautifully with no interference, a couple of barely audible dust ticks no more.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint such is the quality of the audio.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The run in on S2 is just as impressive as the run in on S1 and then the acoustic 'Orchid' plays beautifully with a clarity that is second to none.  I cannot overstate just how clean and precise the audio is, the playback is incredible!  Such a quiet instrumental of course and yet not even a minus is required as this is Mint in every sense of the word.

The intro on 'Lord Of This World' has just the one light tick and the first verse has no intrusion whatsoever.  It progresses in exactly the same way with nothing to detract from the overall sound.  Each note is just so 'clean' and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound - another indication that this vinyl has hardly been played.  That by now familiar downtuned Iommi sound is so strong and deep and Mint- is the only grade I can give.  Perhaps even the minus is a little harsh!

What follows is quite possibly the finest version of 'Solitude' that I have ever heard.  The intro plays with amazing clarity and Osbourne's gentle opening vocal cannot be faulted.  As any collector knows this super quiet track is so often beset by interference but the playback here is spectacular.  There is no underlying static, no clicks or pops and just one mega light tick on the final verse.  If I'm being super critical a handful of barely audible dust ticks but as I often say I am only being 100% 'complete' in my grading.  In my opinion this could not play any better, there is impressive clarity and then there is clarity such as this!  The very delicate closing instrumental has no intrusion and you can even hear the overlap of the very quiet percussive ending into the next track that is a measure of the clarity on offer here.  Honestly you could hear a pin drop!  I'm going to say Mint- but I'll let the winning bidder decide if the minus is required!  What a version!

The intro on 'Into The Void' again impresses on every level with not even a dust tick let alone anything more and the opening vocal is of the same exact standard.  It continues to play with outstanding quality and the high octane mid vocal is a prime example of that.  There is no inner groove distortion and you could not wish for a stronger version.  Every groove plays with unbelievable power and definition and it provides an immaculate Mint conclusion to this STUNNING album.

In summary this Vertigo first pressing plays to a standard you so rarely find today and you would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this brand new from record shop.  Ok there is one click on S1 but it is not loud and the rest of the album is basically 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment.  On a rarely played vinyl you would perhaps expect the original sonic quality to still be there but the clarity on the quieter numbers is just unbelievable and remember this LP is 53 years old this summer!  There is no distortion and no static distortion either which you so often find on these 'high octane' records.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in my opinion and plays so better than the later pressings / modern reissues with a greater sense of power, depth and warmth.  Together with a superb box cover and pristine original poster this is rare find and I do think rare can be used here.  A genuine collectors' item.

The Box Cover, Poster & Swirl Inner

The embossed box cover is in lovely condition and is easily one of the best I have seen with only very minimal shelf wear.  For once it has retained its original shape and structure so well largely as a result of cardboard being placed inside which I imagine has been there for a long time.  All four spines are very strong and clean with no marking and only the top edge has a minimal amount of the 'lift' that you always see.  The 'main' spine is superb and of course remains 100% legible and all of the corners are also in great shape with barely any wear.  The front cover is stunning and has hardly any of the laminate lift that you so often find.  There is just a very minimal amount around the edges and and just a few faint edge creases also.  There is one small white 'spot' on the 'K' but I suspect this was caused during the manufacture.  The back cover if anything is even more impressive with hardly any laminate 'wear' and only a small number of faint creases around the edges again.  A superb example of this iconic cover that impresses on so many levels.

The original 6 panel poster has kept its shape perfectly and the 'front' is very clean with no marking or staining.  It does however have a small pinhole in each corner and just one small tear on the edge of one of the folds (next to Bill).  The reverse side has some light marking/fading/spotting here and there which adds provenance you could say!  Not that it needs provenance really as this is an original without doubt.  They weigh in at 38g and this one is 39g probably due to the marking on the back!  I would still say it is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and as we all know not many first pressings have the original poster these days.

I suspect the poly-lined swirl inner may not be the original as it is date coded 0372 and of course the LP was released in July '71.  Unless they were dated in advance?  Regardless of that it remains in great condition with no side splits or tears, very little creasing and just one very small faint mark on the top edge.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360050  1Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 1 0

6360050  2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 2 2 0

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

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

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

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

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!