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Description
The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.
On offer here is a lovely copy of Black Sabbath's classic fourth studio album simply titled "Black Sabbath Vol 4", Catalogue Number 6360 071. It's a 1972 UK stereo first pressing on the Vertigo Swirl record label, with a 1st issue Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd. matt-finish gatefold sleeve complete with attached 4-page colour booklet. It comes complete with its original plain white poly-lined company inner sleeve, dated coded "08 72". [The stamped record matrix numbers are the earliest 6360071 1Y//1 and 6360071 2Y//1. "PORKY" and "PECKO" are etched in the run-outs of Sides A and B respectively, indicating the work of the master cutting engineer George "PORKY" Peckham. Please note that upon release in September 1972 some copies came with Vertigo Swirl inner sleeves and some didn't].
The sleeve is in VG+ condition (strictly graded) with light wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with the back cover showing just minimal ringwear near the top and bottom. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible. The opening gatefold spread is pristine with the 4-page colour booklet fully attached. Overall it's a very presentable example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.
The top quality mid-weight record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. It is in EX condition with just a few light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and have no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Vertigo Swirl labels are unmarked with just some spindle marks near the centres. There is minimal wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise. The sound quality is very powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass and lots of wonderful Iommi sludgy guitar riffs. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect. I am confident that it will not disappoint!
The original Company plain white inner sleeve has some creases and age discoloration, but no splits or tears. The stamp of the original retailer "The Record Shop, Dolgellau" is printed on a top opening corner.
Overall this is a highly collectable first pressing of the fourth of Sabbath's classic 4 studio albums which will make a fine addition to any record collection.
GRADINGS
The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:
· MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.
· EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.
· VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.
All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.
Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.
PACKAGING
LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.
INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE
LPs posted outside of the
Worldwide - £14.50
