Ozzy Osbourne's family has purchased a collection of newly discovered Black Sabbath-related memorabilia just before it was set to go on the auction block.

The items, which date from 1968-73, were set to be auctioned on Sept. 30. They have now been withdrawn, after the auctioneer from Sheffield Auction Gallery confirmed that the Osbourne family bought the entire lot.

"The items have been sold by private treaty, for an undisclosed sum, to the Osbourne family, ensuring that this important piece of hard rock musical history remains intact," " Stephen Flintoft told the Star.

Highlights included a number of postcards from Osbourne to his mother in Birmingham while Black Sabbath were on tour. The collection also included handwritten song lyrics, publicity posters, flyers and even photographs from when the group was still known as Earth. Among the lyrics were those for the song "Changing Phases," which later emerged as "Solitude" on Black Sabbath's 1971 album Master of Reality.

"We received a huge amount of pre-auction interest, from all over the world from fans, collectors and the press," Flintoft added. "It has been one of the most enquired about lots we have ever had in auction, particularly on social media."

The pre-auction estimate for the collection was between roughly $2,650 to $4,000. The items were discovered by a resident of Sheffield when the London Dockland was first being renovated in the '80s.

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