King Crimson : In The Wake Of Poseidon (A-1 / B-1 1st Press)

This first pressing plays with immaculate audio for the vast majority, the playback is stunning.  A full grading is given below and as can be seen there is only minimal interference.

The fully textured gatefold is in excellent order with only minor shelf wear and the original inner is also in great condition.

ILPS-9127 // A - 1 / B - 1 // 1 2  1 5 / 1 2  1 5

The audio on Side One is Near Mint (Mint- for majority / track 2 VG for 2 seconds)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (intro is Ex+ / final track VG for a few seconds)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Near Mint-

This is a stunning looking vinyl and has been so carefully handled down the years.  It is virtually pristine and a superb example of its kind.  It retains an immaculate mirror-like gloss sheen and there are no scratches at all and i also cannot detect any hairlines which is such a rarity.  There is one tiny 'speck' on S2 but you have to look very hard to find it!  There is some spindle wear although not a great deal and the pink 'I' labels are in perfect order as are the super clean run out grooves.

Play grading  

'Peace - A Beginning' plays with stunning clarity and this is such a rarity when you consider how quiet this acapella section is.  The opening grooves regularly have some 'background' and especially on a vinyl that is very nearly 50 years old!  There is barely a dust tick here let alone anything more invasive!  It provides a sensational start to this classic album.  Not one single click or pop!

'Pictures Of A City' also plays with sublime quality from the very first note and continues in the same way once the vocal begins.  This is audio of a superlative standard and 99% plays as Mint- it is that good!  The first instrumental section plays with incredible power and definition and there is no distortion on the top end.  The super quiet section that follows is nigh on perfect with only a couple of static ticks.  The clarity here has to be heard to be believed - so quiet and yet there is no background static or crackle, just pure audio at its very best.  The final verse is of the same immaculate standard and the crescendo ending is just the most powerful and 'clean' I have ever heard.  Wow what a version!

The very quiet intro on 'Cadence And Cascade' also plays to a breathtaking standard.  This album can't be nearly 50 years old surely?!  The only 'background' during the acoustic intro and the first verse are a couple of mega light dust ticks.  There are 3/4 light ticks prior to the second verse which then plays as clearly as the first apart from a couple of clicks on the last line.  This is the only intrusive interference as the remainder of this classic plays with wonderful clarity and barely any 'background'.  The flute end sequence is again so 'clean' and free of any interference.  A stunning version overall.

'In The Wake Of Poseidon' begins very powerfully with no distortion and the first verse is as good as the day when first released back in '70!  I am pleased to say this clarity does not decrease the more you get into the track.  The vocals play incredibly well with no 'background' and the first instrumental section is faultless.  The final verse is of the same standard and the end instrumental passage then plays with great power and depth.  Perhaps just a little distortion but it is minimal and very common here anyway.  It still provides a superb ending to this classic.  It is worth noting that the fade out has no 'background' of any kind, a prime example of the clarity on offer here.

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The acoustic intro on S2 has minimal static and plays very clearly for such a quiet opening.  'Cat Food' then plays with fantastic audio and has no interference of any kind.  There is no deterioration in sound quality, no 'muddiness' whatsoever and the clarity could not be improved upon.  This is one vinyl that has been incredibly well preserved down the years and not often played I would say.  The instrumental piece that ends the track plays in sublime style with, you guessed it, no 'background' at all.

The super quiet build up on 'The Devil's Triangle' is unbelievably good!  I don't think I have heard it play with such impressive clarity.  This is audio of the highest order and that applies to every section.  There are barely any dust ticks let alone anything worse and I just cannot put into words how stunning the clarity and definition is here!  This entire percussive sequence is of the same exacting standard and as the track progresses there is no let up in quality.  As the volume increases there is no distortion and is Mint- to the very end of the 'wind' section.  There are 3/4 light clicks in the dead wax prior to next section but that of course is not during the music.  The next instrumental piece plays without fault to the very end.  An astounding version without doubt.

'Peace - An End' begins beautifully with no 'background' and it is only at the end of the first verse and beginning of the next that there are some crackle sounds.  It is intrusive but doesn't last too long and soon plays with stunning clarity once more.  The majority of the second verse and all of the final verse play incredibly well and end the album with 'high end' clarity once again.

In summary this is not far from a final upgrade first pressing and it is only the two seconds of interference on S1 and a few more seconds on S2 that stops it being so.  Nevertheless this is without question one of the most dynamic and powerful pressings I have ever heard.  The quiet sections play with such impressive clarity and the louder sections are so strong and impress without any distortion.  With a very clean textured gatefild and original inner this would add to any collection.

The Gatefold

The original fully textured E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with a little shelf wear.  The edges do have some rubbing but this really is the only obvious wear on the entire cover.  The wide spine has one small 'nick' and remains 100% legible and all corners have only a small amount of wear.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear and is in superb condition.  The front cover has no marking or creasing and the colours are as 'fresh' and string as when the album was first released almost 50 years ago.  The back cover is almost as good with only one small mark top right and the inside of the gatefold is in immaculate condition.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in great shape and has no splits or marking, it really is very clean!  There is only very minor creasing and has 0470 printed on one corner which refers to the release date.

The labels

The famous 'I' labels retain their strong pink colour and have no marking/writing and not too much spindle wear.  What you can see is centred around the inner circle only.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ILPS-9127 // A - 1 / B - 1 // 1 2  1 5 / 1 2  1 5

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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