Black Sabbath : Master Of Reality 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/Box Cover & Original Poster (Vertigo)

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing plays to an immaculate standard and is the finest version I have listened to.  I have sold a couple of these recently but I honestly believe this plays with even greater clarity and definition.  There is no spindle wear and I can also see a small amount of vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole which confirms it has rarely been on a turntable.  The quality of the audio confirms that!

The iconic embossed box cover is the finest example I have ever seen and has no obvious wear, it is stunning!  It has retained its original shape incredibly well and also comes complete with the original matt 38g poster which is in excellent condition.  The original swirl inner dated 0671 has only a little wear.

Shipping costs have massively increased recently and this item will have to be sent with extra insurance so as to correctly cover the sale price.  However, I will be subsidising this by a certain amount and has been priced accordingly.

6360050  1Y // 1 ? 420  1 1 6

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 1 3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The box cover is Near Mint

The original 38g poster is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is VG+

Play grading

'Sweet Leaf' plays with stunning depth and power from start to finish.  From the opening 'note' there is no interference and the clarity is exceptional.  On such a 'clean' vinyl it is the depth of sound that really stands out which is enhanced in no small measure with Iommi's famous downtuned sound.  Having played every second, as I always do, I can categorically say this classic is of a Mint standard and it is immediately obvious this record has been hardly played and also so well preserved over the years.  The fade out has no 'background' either which again shows just how impressive the clarity is.

With complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'After Forever' is flawless and it continues to play with unrivalled precision.  Once more I cannot believe what I am hearing.  One of my personal favourites (such a great riff!) this classic plays with incredible definition and power throughout.  There is no interference, not even a dust tick, and every note is just so 'clean'.  The 'high octane' end section could not play any better and again the fade out has no 'background'.  This is 'as new' in every way and Mint is an easy grade to give.

'Embryo' is again Mint with no interference at all.  There is no underlying static which is rare for this brief and of course very quiet instrumental.

The long intro on 'Children Of The Grave' is immaculate and it progresses in much the same way.  There is one light tick on the second verse but it is easily missed as it is so quiet.  There is no inner groove distortion which is rare for any final track and especially one from this era - from a record that is generally played to death!  Not this one!  The clarity is STUNNING in every way, each note can be heard with such incredible precision.  You can play this at full volume and there is no lessening in audio quality whatsoever.  The quiet end section also plays beautifully with no intrusion on the audio.  What a finish!  This is Mint- I am delighted to say.

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

This version of 'Orchid' defies description...almost!  Any vinyl is first and foremost judged by its clarity and the clarity here is beautiful!  With only a handful of barely audible dust ticks every note plays with remarkable precision and this on a very first pressing.  There are a couple of very minor ticks right at the end but this is Mint- for sure.

'Lord Of This World' plays to a superb standard from the first groove and the first verse is more than equal to that.  It continues in the same precise way with no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  Again the depth and definition of the audio could not be improved upon and to the end it plays with sublime quality.  Every section is mind-blowing but the end section in particular is just outstanding!  Plus another perfect fade out.  Mint and then some!

The delicate 'Solitude' plays with amazing clarity throughout.  The intro is immaculate - there is just no 'background' and this quality continues into the first verse.  This version is AMAZING!  I cannot help but over enthuse at the audio quality on offer here and this is quite simply the most impressive example of this track that I have ever heard!  There are a couple of very light ticks towards the end so I will grade as Mint- but really I think it would be impossible to find a more 'complete' version and 'impossible' is a word I hate to use but it applies here!  This could  scarcely play any better, even the very gentle ending has no 'background'.  From start to finish there is no underlying static, the playback is just sensational, and you don't need me to tell you how rare it is for this super quiet track to play with such distinction.

The long intro on 'Into The Void' is faultless and from then on it plays with stunning precision, power and depth.  There is no distortion again showing how infrequently this vinyl has been played and you can turn this up to max without losing any audio quality.  There is so much 'going on' and yet the sonic and tonal quality could not be any greater.  A powerhouse of a track that is Mint from beginning to end.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE first pressing plays to a wonderful standard on both sides with no interference of any kind.  As my regulars know I play every album in full, quite often more than once, and I never exaggerate my gradings.  It is not in my interests to do so and I am also more than happy to grade a track as Mint as I believe I am now a good judge of audio!  Yes RC guidelines do say an album that isn't sealed cannot be classified as Mint but I know perfection when I hear it!  The clarity, depth and power on this LP is second to none and any collector I am sure would be amazed by the quality that can correctly be described 'as new'.  Together with the most impressive box cover I have ever seen plus a very clean original poster it doesn't get much better than this!

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has such an impressive mirror-like glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and whilst there is an obvious hairline on Side A it has no affect on the audio.  This aside the vinyl could not be any 'cleaner' and that is reflected in the clarity and precision on offer here.  There is no spindle wear and it is patently obvious this record has hardly been played, if at all!  There is obviously no groove wear and the run out grooves are also in superb condition.

The Box Cover & Poster

The embossed box cover is in beautiful condition there is no other way to describe it!  The edges/spines have retained their original shape so well and this has been helped by some cardboard being placed inside.  They have no knocks or 'dings' and they really are in perfect condition.  This is so rare as they are generally found with damage but that is certainly not the case here and they don't even have any laminate creases.  The corners are also near perfect and only the top right one has a minor touch of barely visible wear.  The 'front' cover is the 'cleanest' I have ever seen and there is just no laminate wear wear whatsoever, that is so rare!  Perhaps just a minimal amount of 'lift' around some of the letters but this is what you would expect to see and hardly deserves a mention!  The 'back' cover is equally as good with just a minimal touch of laminate lift next to the spine.  A stunning cover, it has not been compressed in any way and it remains very strong and robust.  Printed by 'Howards Printers' this is a fantastic example and Near Mint is a more than honest grade.

The original matt poster (with the 6 panels) is in great condition with no marking on the front.  The back does have some tape marking at the top and bottom where it was once on a wall but it obviously does not affect the overall 'look'.  I have just noticed a small tear on the front bottom right but the paper has not actually come away from the back.  It's just rare to have the ORIGINAL poster which I think remains in excellent condition

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined swirl inner dated 0671 does have a couple of small side splits on one side but is in very good condition regardless.  It does have some age related fading around the edges but has no marking as such and only minimal creasing.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in near perfect condition with no marking or writing and no obvious spindle wear either.  Stunning examples!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360050  1Y // 1 ? 420  1 1 6

6360050  2Y // 1 ?  420  1 2 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

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!