King Crimson In The Wake Of Poseidon : A1 / B1 1st Press UK Pink Island Label

This first pressing plays with a stunning quality that is rarely heard today and of course has the collectable pink Island 'I' labels. The textured gatefold is also very impressive with only minor shelf wear.

ILPS-9127 / A // 1  1  2 2 / B // 1  2 6

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The gatefold is Ex++ (the spine is VG+)

The original inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

This vinyl is visually stunning and I have never seen (or heard!) a more impressive genuine A1/B1 first press.  It looks 'as new' - there is no groove wear and having looked under various lights I cannot even detect a single hairline let alone any scratches!  It has beautiful jet black glossy sheen and whilst there is some spindle wear this is a vinyl that has always been so carefully handled by its previous owner.  It is absolutely pristine and the audio pays testament to that also as detailed below.

Play grading  

'Peace - A Beginning' plays beautifully for a record approaching 50 years.  Of course it is so quiet and yet there are no clicks, pops or crackle.  There is hardly any background static either, just a handful of mega light dust ticks that are so much in the background as to be totally non-intrusive.  For the opening few grooves to play with this clarity is a rarity.  This opening track provides a superb start to S1.

'Pictures Of A City' is Mint from the very first note and continues with in the same immaculate fashion.  There is no distortion on the top end and no interference whatsoever.  The opening 'loud' section plays 'as new' the power and definition is sensational.  The quieter section further in is difficult to put into words...but I'll try!  The clarity is of the highest standard possible I have never heard better.  Quite simply it is stunning.  I am confident in grading it as Mint- but to many it would be Mint as the audio has no 'background' worthy of mention.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks but in all honesty the clarity is on a par with any high quality vinyl pressed today!  The quality does not diminish and the crescendo ending could not play any better it is 100% stunning.

The super quiet 'Cadence And Cascade' also plays to a standard I have never heard before.  There is one very faint 'tick' near the beginning and one click literally at the end but aside from that this is audio of the highest quality.  This is a vinyl that has been so carefully handled down the year and this is reflected in the clarity and depth it exhibits.

'In The Wake of Poseidon' closes the side with wonderful sound again.  The only 'background' is a minimal amount of intermittent light static but it does not intrude on the music.  I only mention it to be complete in my grading and it is again right in the background and very very quiet.  The louder end section is very impressive, just a touch of distortion perhaps, but this is common with any final track on a side.  Overall this is a superb version of the title track and the long fade out has barely any static.  It is worth noting there are no clicks or pops at all on this track.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The opening acoustic piece plays extremely well with only some light background static and no clicks or pops.  'Cat Food' then plays with faultless audio and again I have never heard this track play with such astounding clarity.  There is no interference of any kind and it easily grades as Mint- the depth and definition could not be improved upon.

The intro on 'The Devils' Triangle' has to be heard to be believed!  Obviously it is such a slow quiet build up and yet there is no 'background' to speak of, it is just breathtaking.  A couple of mega quiet dust ticks perhaps but even then I might be being too harsh!  It continues in the same vein with only a very light amount of barely audible static and for a vinyl nearing 50 this clarity is very rarely heard on this instrumental.  As it builds there is no distortion - this is audio of a superlative standard without doubt.  The various sections of this instrumental 'quartet' are of the same standard and they all display incredible depth and power and clarity in equal measure.  There is just a little light static right at the end.  It isn't crackle!

'Peace - An End' ends the album in very impressive style when you consider how quiet it is.  There is almost no static on the intro.  There are then a small number of non-intrusive 'ticks' but again they are so much in the background and are what you expect on a vinyl of this age.  The clarity is exceptional and there are no clicks or pops and definitely no crackle.  This really is a fantastic end to this beautifully preserved album.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive first pressing of that I am sure.  With only one click the clarity and definition is of a standard rarely found today.  These Pink Island pressings are very collectable and especially with an A1/B1 matrix.  The fact that it comes complete with a superb textured gatefold surely adds to its collectability. 

The Gatefold

The cover is in excellent condition with very little wear.  In fact the only obvious wear is on the spine where there is some rubbing which affects the title somewhat.  The catalogue number is still 100% legible.  There isn't a great deal of rubbing on the spine but it has to mentioned obviously.  The edges are very clean but there is just a little more rubbing on the bottom edges.  The opening edge has barely any handling wear.  The textured front and back covers are in superb condition with no marking and rarely have I seen such clean examples.  The inside of the gatefold is in fantastic order and looks 'as new'.  Overall aside from a little wear on the spine this is an excellent example of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined inner is in great condition and has no splits or tears just some minor creasing.

The labels

The pink 'I' Island labels have no writing or marking and whilst there is some spindle wear there is not a massive amount.

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

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

ILPS-9127 / A // 1  1  2 2 / B // 1  2 6

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!