KING CRIMSON IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING 1969 UK Pink "i" LP A3 B3 prog gem

	£		75
	$		99

KING CRIMSON - IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (AN OBSERVATION BY KING CRIMSON)

An increasingly rare and highly sought after very early UK pressing of this 1969 prog rock classic on the pink "i" ISLAND label, STEREO ILPS 9111

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  ILPS 9111 A 3 with stampers "1 1" and "3" at 5.30 o'clock and 6 o'clock respectively 

Side 2  ILPS 9111 B 3 with stampers "1 1" and "3" at 2.30 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

 The appearance of the thick, heavy duty vinyl is very good+. Completely flat and when viewed in normal daylight still retaining a nice glossy sheen, although on side 1 there is a pencil line scuff and on side 2 four hairlines and two light scuffs that are visible (though not immediately obvious) in normal daylight. None of these minor blemishes are either "feelable" or obviously below the surface and do not seem to affect the impressive audio quality at all. Under a bright light, and when tilted at the right angle, a few more light wispy hairlines and some paper scuffing comes into view, indicating that this record has had a reasonable number of plays. The only blemish that is intrusive is a very small scratch right at the beginning of side 2, resulting in ten mild clicks at the beginning of "Moonchild". Overall I would grade the condition of the vinyl as a solid very good.

The original 1st pressing matt textured labels are excellent+. Pristine in fact, except for a couple of very, very light and small spindle trails on each label adjacent to the centre hole, and you will have to search hard to find even these.

The iconic matt textured E.J. DAY outer gatefold sleeve is excellent.  All edges remain firm with just some mild scuffing on the bottom front edge, a little rubbing on the corners which nevertheless remain well defined, and some very minimal scuffing on on the front edge of the spine where all writing remains perfectly legible. All edges, including the spine, remain nice and firm with no creasing on any edges or the spine itself. On the reverse side there is a very mild horizontal abrasion/scuffing close to the bottom edge (see photo) but no further blemishes at all. The centre of the gatefold is wonderful, with all artwork and colouring completely intact and no unwanted writing or doodles. All text is completely intact. Gorgeous!

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent-. There is nice tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or loud clicks and just the hint of a little, mild, background crackle at the beginning and end of each side and during a couple of the quieter interludes...the only exception to this being the aforementioned ten "clicks" at the beginning of "Moonchild", and some very, very mild clicking right at the end of side 1 (so mild in fact that you don't notice it until the music has faded out and even then it's only just laudible). Apart from that every track makes for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN including MIRRORS

2. I TALK TO THE WIND

3. EPITAPH including (a) MARCH FOR NO REASON (b) TOMORROW AND TOMORROW

Side 2 :

1. MOONCHILD including (a) THE DREAM (b) THE ILLUSION

2. THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING including (a) THE RETURN OF THE FIRE WITCH (b) THE DANCE OF THE PUPPETS

Comes with original "PATENT No." and "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN" white inner with no splits and just some light vertical creasing on the front and back and some very mild age discolouration, and in overall very good condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a solid very good (probably very good+) copy of this rare and highly sought after 1969 UK STEREO original pressing, worthy of gracing any serious record collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but I am now retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My only wish is that they go to good homes.

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for  : UK £5.00, continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler