KING CRIMSON IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING 1969 UK ISLAND 1st PRESS TOP COPY!

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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 an exceptional copy of the debut studio album by King Crimson titled "In The Court Of The Crimson King", Catalogue Number ILPS-9111. It's a 1969 UK stereo 1st pressing on the Pink Island record label, with a 1st issue E. J. Day Group matt finish gatefold sleeve, designed by Barry Godber. It comes complete with its original plain white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design printed by E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford. The stamped record matrix numbers are ILPS 9111 Av2 and ILPS 9111 B//3 (where v = the delta symbol]. 

The sleeve is in EX condition with only light signs of wear and a few tiny creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked with the exception of a short scuff mark to the top right of the back cover. The opening gatefold spread is pristine. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible. Overall it's a very well preserved example indeed. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record is in EX(+) condition. It retains its original shine with the playing surfaces showing nothing more than a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever upon the audio playback. The Pink Island labels are unmarked with just a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays on a high end turntable. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is particularly dynamic and powerful with great bass and lots of wonderful sound effects. It is well documented that many Island pressings of the period generally suffered from inherent residual surface sound. This particular example plays very cleanly with no loud pops, repeat ticks or anything else to spoil the listening experience. There are a few soft and random ticks during the lengthy silences and quiet tinklings of Moonchild, but nothing remotely intrusive. I've owned many first issues of this album over the years and this is without doubt one of the cleanest-playing examples that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I think it will be almost impossible to find a better one. It really is a superb example in every respect!

The original white poly-lined inner sleeve has a few creases but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete first pressing of King Crimson's iconic debut studio album 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 UK will only be sent International Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50