Black Sabbath - Vol. 4 (Lebanon) – ULTRA RARE 1972 VERTIGO SWIRL – Original Lebanese Pressing - LP - 1st Pressing - 1972

An exceptionally scarce original 1972 Lebanese pressing of Black Sabbath's Vol. 4, issued on Vertigo under catalogue number 6360 071. This is one of the most unusual international variations of this legendary Black Sabbath album and a genuinely difficult country pressing to encounter. Lebanese Vertigo LPs from this period were produced in very limited numbers compared with their UK and European counterparts, and Vol. 4 is a particularly fascinating example because it differs in several important ways from the familiar UK issue.

The Side A label uses a distinctive matt black Vertigo Swirl design, similar in appearance to that found on other Lebanese Black Sabbath issues of the period. The Side B label carries several unusual characteristics specific to this pressing. Unlike the standard UK issue, it features no producer credit and no ℗ 1972 production-date line, while "Copyright Control" appears above catalogue number 6360 071. The label also identifies the album as "Black Sabbath Vol. 4" with Vertigo appearing where the artist name would normally be expected. There are also some wonderful Lebanese label variations in the track listing: "Tomorrow Dream" instead of Tomorrow's Dream, and "F X" with a space between the letters instead of FX. These small printing differences make the pressing instantly interesting to collectors who specialise in international Black Sabbath or Vertigo Swirl variations.

A major difference lies in the sleeve construction. Unlike the original UK first issue with its distinctive spiral-style internal presentation, the Lebanese edition uses a more conventional inner gatefold construction. The original photographic booklet remains present inside the gatefold, though the pages have become loose rather than firmly attached—importantly, they remain with the album. The original plain white inner sleeve, as supplied with this Lebanese edition, is also included.

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Sleeve (VG):
The original gatefold sleeve shows general age-related wear and some corner wear consistent with careful use and storage over five decades. The booklet pages, while loose from the gatefold due to the vulnerable construction of the original binding, remain present and complete. Considering the scarcity of the Lebanese issue and the susceptibility of these original sleeves to wear, this remains a very collectible and presentable example → VG

Booklet / Inner:
Original photographic booklet present, with pages now loose from the gatefold. Original plain white inner sleeve included as supplied with the Lebanese edition.

Vinyl (VG+):
The vinyl retains a nice original shine and remains a solid VG+ example. There is some visible playwear and a number of superficial signs of previous use, but nothing particularly severe. Overall a very respectable copy of an extremely difficult pressing → VG+

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Details
* Lebanon 1st pressing
* Vertigo matt black Swirl labels
* Catalogue: 6360 071
* Gatefold sleeve (Lebanese inner construction)
* Track listing variations: "Tomorrow Dream" and "F X" (with space)
* Label identifies album as "Black Sabbath Vol. 4" with Vertigo as label artist
* No producer credit or ℗ date line on Side B
* "Copyright Control" notation
* Original photographic booklet included
* Original white inner sleeve included