KING CRIMSON: IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON ... rare textured labels, 1st pink island
£
46
$
61
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Description
HERE is a rare UK stereo pressing of King Crimson's second LP, In The Wake Of Poseidon, on the TEXTURED pink island label from 1970, which I consider to be the first true pressing of this LP for the following reasons:
These heavy textured, grooved labels are similar to the textured labels of the very first (A2/B2) pressings of King Crimson's debut album, In The Court of The Crimson King, released the previous year (you will be fully aware that later pink island pressings of In The Court ... were released on smooth/glossy pink labels).
The matrices given to this textured label pressing of In The Wake Of Poseidon, are ILPS+9127+A2 and ILPS+9127+B2. You will notice they feature the + symbol used by island on the company's earlier releases including, just for example, the first two Jethro Tull albums, This Was from 1968 (matrices from ILPS+9085+A on the first black ball pressing to ILPS+9085+A2 on pink i) and Stand Up from 1969 (ILPS+9103+A on first black ball pressing to ILPS+9103+A2 on pink i).
Also, this textured label pressing of In The Wake appears to be a heavier slab of vinyl compared to smooth label pressings, similar to first pressings of In The Court and the Jethro Tull albums mentioned above. Some listeners might even argue this heavier pressing gives finer playback.
Of course, it is perfectly possible that rough textured label copies of In The Wake Of Poseidon were produced at the same time as smooth label copies, though why different matrix numbers would have been used poses its own question.
Conditionwise, these lovely deep pink textured labels look an easy EX, with no unwanted writing, no tears or sticker residue, and only moderate spindle traces evident when examined under strong lighting. Both sides of the vinyl (EX-) look great in normal light with just a few very light wispy marks showing when examined under strong halogen light.
The heavily textured first press E J Day gatefold sleeve is the big letdown here, and can only really justify a grading of Good as the cover appears to have taken the brunt of the wear over the years, suffering from edgewear, spinal wear, general rubbing and light creasing.
Thanks for looking and good luck if you are bidding.
PLEASE NOTE: I carefully pack vinyl with records removed from covers.
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