KING CRIMSON - IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON

Heavily TEXTURED GATEFOLD SLEEVE

On original pink island label with the white "i"

Overall condition is EXCELLENT

Sleeve EXCELLENT

Outside This is the original UK first issue cover, the outside shows ‘The Twelve Archetypes’ painted by Tammo De Jongh, The very first gatefold covers (like this) were heavyweight rigid card construction with a deeply textured outer surfaces, looking like a real oil painting. They were not laminated. Subsequent versions were less deeply textured. The sleeve is still bright with no tears or splits, has some very light wear to some corners and edges but otherwise is in EXCELLENT condition and there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers.

Inside There is an amazing multi coloured, marble effect, centre spread by Crimson’s lyricist Pete Sinfield; together with lyrics and production credits in silver type.

Spine The spine is perfectly straight and clearly legible.

Inner Sleeve  the original poly lined inner is in EXCELLENT unsplit condition  with patent information and “Made in England” on it and the legend,  “Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous.” I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, although it is starting to split slightly at the top, it still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years

Record It’s pressed on heavyweight vinyl The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen.

There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep

Labels Excellent The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking. These are the 1st ever UK pressing, original pink island labels with the white "i" and “IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON” printed in the top centre and  'Produced by Robert Fripp & Peter Sinfield' for E.G. Records'.  

Audio Quality Very Good plus I feel that it just falls short of EXCELLENT (although most of the record would easily fit that description) and wouldn’t want to mislead anyone. However, it is still an amazing tour de force of an audio experience. The record itself is clean and glossy and plays well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss, crackle and pops between tracks that unfortunately are noticeable in some of the quietest passages but vanish after a few seconds and don’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing; although deep cleaning would probably remove them. It lays flat on the turntable and plays well without the needle sticking or jumping. 

Side 1 - Peace a beginning, Pictures of a city, Cadence & Cascade, In the wake of Poseidon. Side 2 - Cat food, The Devil's triangle, Merday morn, Hand of Sceiron, Garden of worm, Peace, an end. 

Since 1970 all my records have been played on a Pioneer PL12D with a Shure N75 ED-T2 cartridge and stylus, tracking at 1.5 grams which I continue to use today – although the stylus has been replaced regularly

Summary: this ICONIC, progressive rock, masterwork  album is an amazing artistic melange. Bringing together an eclectic fusion of poetic lyricism, faultless acapella vocals, soaring guitar, heavy rock, piano work by jazz legend Keith Tippet and a thundering version of “Mars” from “The Planet Suite” by Holst! It is a lovely piece of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard it on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound forty-seven years old.

I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. I’m starting it at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy it without paying rip off prices Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.