BLACK SABBATH MASTER OF REALITY 1st UK PRES N.MiNt AuDiO VERTIGO ArChIvE MONSTER

	£		519
	$		688

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BLACK SABBATH ''MASTER OF REALITY''

1st UK Pressing Cat No.6360 050 Vertigo Swirl Labels Absolutely Stunning Near Mint Audio!  Complete! and original Box Cover Printed By Howards Printers!

1st Issue Six Fold Poster! Look! Earliest Matrix Endings! #1 #1 Rarely Seen In This Condition! With Untouched Poster (NEVER UNFOLDED OR USED)! Vinyl Looks and Sounds Barely Played A Handful Of Times!!

STUNNING NEAR MINT AUDIO ARCHIVE COPY FINAL UPGRADE!

From my personal collection, Purchased from new! This has been barely ever played no more than a handful of times, and has been stored in a box for at least 40 years with the vinyl seperated from both the record sleeve and box cover! This is how I have always stored my records! Please note! What also makes this so rare and collectable is that this is the earliest ever 1st pressing #1 #1 matrix often seen with the more common #1 #2 matrix  (only the earliest pressings produce the best audio quality) and only the earliest have the original six fold poster!! Please do not underestemate this extreemely rare and sought after album in this condition!

Please note my main interest in vinyl over the past 45 years has always been the audio quality. The vinyl was play tested two times prior to this listing at very loud volume on top systems and also fully recorded so that you can hear for your self in the player below. It plays through almost like a new vinyl, in fact I heard just one light click in the left hand channel worth to mention only, caused by a minute 1mm-2mm dot mark just barely noticed on the vinyl this was mainly obliterated in the audio and not really noticed at all I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to Near Mint through out! There is  no constant clicks or pops and amazingly even in between tracks this was silent very very rare to ever find like this! Very collectable and sought after 1st UK pressing.

Please note! I will be listing More original Black Sabbath Albums in the next few days on Ebay and all will be absolutely first class condition through out!

Click play to hear my YouTube video of the track "Sweet Leaf"

Master of Reality is the third album by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in 1971. The album's "darker" or "sludgier" sound was a significant influence on the heavy metal genre known as doom metal, and its derivatives!

To date, Master of Reality has sold two million copies and reached 2x platinum!

For the recording of this album, guitarist Tony Iommi, who had injured his fingers in a factory accident years earlier, decided to de-tune his guitar down three semi-tones (or one and a half steps to C-sharp). This reduced string tension, thus making the guitar easier for him to play. Geezer Butler also de-tuned his bass guitar to match Iommi. The result was a noticeably "darker" or "sludgier" sound!

Master of Reality was recorded at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles California between February and April 1971. This was the first time the band had recorded an album outside their home country of England. The album was produced by Rodger Bain, who had also produced their previous two albums. However, this would be his final collaboration with the band!

The slow and heavy songs that comprise most of the album are interspersed with quiet ballads written by Tony Iommi. Two of these, "Embryo" and "Orchid", are short instrumentals serving as interludes. The third, "Solitude", is much longer in comparison and features Ozzy Osbourne's soft, mournful vocals!.

Unusually, the lyrics of the song "After Forever" focus entirely on Christian themes. At the time, some viewed Black Sabbath as Satanists due to their dark sound, image and lyrics. The lyrics of this song may have been written as an attempt to confuse those people, to parody Christian bands, or simply to note an observation. Similarly, the song "Lord of this World" has lyrics that appear to concern someone who is possessed by Satan!

The album opener, "Sweet Leaf" is a song about cannabis sativa. "Children of the Grave" was written about war, peace and revolution, and is lyrically similar to "War Pigs" and "Electric Funeral" on their previous album. It is composed primarily of a chugging guitar riff and eerie interludes. The final song on the album, "Into the Void", concerns a future in which Earth has been overcome by war and pollution. A group of astronauts travel into space in search of a new world to live on. The song's dark sound and theme was a key influence on the doom metal genre!

The album cover reads Master of Reality coloured grey, underneath Black Sabbath coloured purple, against a black background. The words are written in a large font with a ripple effect like that of moving water or a waving flag. This being the first edition of the album came in an embossed 'envelope sleeve', which contained a poster of the band!.

 This was the first Black Sabbath sleeve on which the lyrics were reproduced on the back of the sleeve. On the first North American editions of the album, several songs had subtitles given to segments, making it appear that there were more songs than there actually were. The outro of "Children of the Grave" was given the title "The Haunting", the intro of "Lord of This World" was titled "Step Up," and the intro of "Into the Void" was titled "Deathmask". This treatment had also been used on the North American editions of Black Sabbath's previous two albums. These pressings also incorrectly listed the album title as Masters of Reality. Subsequent editions corrected the album's title and removed the three subtitles!

Side One

1. "Sweet Leaf" – 5:05
2. "After Forever" (Iommi) – 5:27
3. "Embryo" (Iommi) – 0:28
4. "Children of the Grave" – 5:17

Side Two

1. "Orchid" (Iommi) – 1:30
2. "Lord of This World" – 5:26
3. "Solitude" – 5:02
4. "Into the Void" – 6:13

The matrix and mother stampers.

side a. ''6360050'' ''1Y'' ''#1'' ''420 1'' (THE VERY EARLIEST EVER MATRIX VERY HARD TO FIND)

side b. ''6360050 ''2Y'' ''#1'' ''420 1'' THE VERY EARLIEST EVER MATRIX VERY HARD TO FIND)

The labels.

The original VERTIGO labels are in awesome condition!  Features the swirl on side a. and the swirl logo and track listings on side b.(only early press)! All rights.... are featured around the label rim(only early press)!  Amaizingly I can see (no) real spidering at all, even when angled to the light and of coarse (no) spindle ware any spidering would be very feint indeed and not noticable to my eyes.    This has only ever been played a handful of times ever when I initially purchased it, and two times to play grade for this listing. So rare  for an album that is 37 years old! Impossible to find like this! very very collectable! Please note, on side A there is foxing type glue spots that can be seen when angled to the light. (This is common on the early Vertigo pressings and often seen , only on earliest press, this is a reaction to the glue that was used for the labels)

The vinyl.

The vinyl is absolutely superbe! On initial visual inspection, I find it hard to even see a blemish ! and still retains its sheen from new. This lays perfectly flat on the turn table and is free from any warping! (please note this vinyl has only ever been  played by me personally and I originally played this to record to tape! In the last 35 years this has been stored in a case with the vinyl seperated from the sleeve and cover to prevent ringware and damage! This is how I have always stored my records, Please note, to be highly critical  If I look hard in strong light, I notice just one minute 1-2mm dot mark on side two track one which caused just one light click heard in the left hand channel only, but fortunately this was mainly obliterated by the loud audio and probably would not be noticed at all when played at normal volume. Importantly, there are no audio sounding marks or blemishes that I can see at all that would cause any annoying constant clicks ticks or crackle even in quieter places which is normally common on this pressing! Any other marks that could possibly be seen would be sleeve removal only but again ,I find it hard see any at all! To sum up, it is quite obvious that this vinyl has barely ever been played in my opinion.

The Audio Quality

 I have played this through track for track prior to listing at very very loud volume on a top system! The moment the needle hits the playing surface it is obvious this vinyl has barely ever been played at all!  The audio quality is as you would expect, superbe, TOP, TOP, TOP! cristal clear and extreemely vibrant through out in fact this plays almost as a new vinyl would sound in my opinion!    This played through very near as perfect as it gets unbelievable audio separation, that I haven't heard like this before and stunning bass feel throughout almost cd. quality on my systems for the most part! This vinyl has been stored seperately from the cover in a poly sleeve for all of its storage life! This is the way I always  have stores my records! Please note, as previously mentioned. To be highly critical I heard one light click in the left hand channel on the first track of side two, only caused by a minute dot that I noticed on the vinyl, but this was barely noticed unless listened for and probably would not be noticed if played at a normal volume. Amazingly there was no nasty crackle that I heard even in between tracks or in quieter places.  The audio on this pressing in my opinion is almost as good as it gets for a very early and the 1st pressing! Even in between tracks this is almost quiet!  This is the best and one of the most vibrant audio that i have heard of this pressing!  I would class myself as highly critical and this is a truly exceptional sounding vinyl and the 3RD EVER ALBUM RELEASED  by this awesome band 'Black Sabbath'' and so hard to find the earliest 1st pressing like this! Please check my completed listings of records that i have sold of this calaber and you will see that i normally get it right! I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to near mint through out!

Please note! That i always make this disclaimer! That although I never heard any loud constant clicks or pops during the play of this record please allow for the odd static/ /click/tick , certainly not consistant throughout the audio, but this is a genuine 37 year old vinyl that would have been played on a 37 year old system!

Points to note! This has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 35 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves from laying dormant causes static crackle\ticks! A constant clean before each play is recomended ! This would reduce any static and enhance the audio quality!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original Vertigo reverse poly lined VERTIGO SLEEVE (correct for this issue) Becoming fragile with age. There is light browning/fading which is common and small tears I notice around the die cut holes (see photos) The edges are becoming fragile and slightly beginning to split. Please note! This is the original features the correct date stamp 06/71 Patent no and ''Made In England'', Light creasing minor staining/fading with age only in general nice and clean!

The Cover

This is the original and earliest 1st UK press BOX COVER printed by 'Howards Printers' (Slough England. with embossed writing! This is absolutely superbe! Rare to find in this awesome condition super glossy appearance (see photos) with minor or minimal surface laminate creases or storageware very very slight ware\ rubbing only really noticed if looked for in my opinion. Any laminate lift you can see is minimal also. Truly remarkabel for 37 years old!  JUST TRY TO FIND A BETTER ORIGINAL! I would grade the cover at least excellent to excellent plus! No splits or tears.

The poster

This is the original thick and heavier Six Fold type poster, important that I say, original because I have seen two types of UK posters the other type is a four fold poster. Importantly this is the mat poster very slight semi sheen without any printing at the bottom. This is an important feature because the US Printed poster has a glossy sheen and is thinner in material thickness and also features made in the US!  This has never been used ! In fact it had never been unfolded before I had taken a photo!

Rarely ever seen complete like this extremely collectable and sought after like this in barely played condition!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLE WRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light! Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds (not on Weekends)

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but I do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low,poor or no real history,  Please do not bid on my records without first contacting me! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW! (click the link bellow)

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