KING CRIMSON - rare UK 1969 1st press of debut single "In The Court Of ..." EXC+

	£		53
	$		70

KING CRIMSON - IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (Part One) / IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (Part Two)

Scarce 1969 UK very first pressing, on the ISLAND label, WIP - 6071

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  WIP 1043 / 1, stampers 1 1 6;  Side 2  1044 / 1, stampers 1 1 6

A real prog rock classic!

Both sides of the completely flat vinyl have retained virtually all of their original sheen and are in wonderful, glossy condition with no obvious marks at all. Tilted under a bright light there are just a few small wispy hairlines, but even then you have to look hard to identify them.

The quality of the audio is is superb. No clicks, pops, or distortion - just original prog rock at it's very best. There is the odd nano second of mild static and during the flute solo on the second side there is some very mild, background, crackle - barely discernible, not negatively impacting the overall superb sound quality, and I'm sure a thorough clean would remedy it anyway.

  Each label is excellent+. Perfect, in fact, except for a very faint, single spindle trail on side 2. Note the existence of the original label centre piece which is rare in itself - on the odd occasion that this single does come onto the market the original centre is normally long gone and been replaced by a generic "push-out" centre.

Comes complete with original ISLAND outer sleeve -  functional but with a split at the bottom and significant creasing. I will ship to the winning bidder with the record in an added excellent condition alternative sleeve (as well as the original Island sleeve).

A groundbreaking UK prog rock classic, surely an essential part of any serious prog rock vinyl collector's collection!

IF THIS ITEM INTERESTS YOU THEN YOU MAY LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER 60's/70'S VINYL OFFERINGS ALSO CURRENTLY ON EBAY : SOME REAL RARITIES!

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

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. I worked in IT for 22 years before doing a complete career change to teach Maths in a high school at the ripe old age of 45 - probably the best career move that I ever made. I took great joy in indulging the "kids" in my eclectic collection of 60's and 70's vinyl, even once dedicating a whole PSE session to the Genesis classic ""Foxtrot".  But now I am retired and a combination of space requirements 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 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 questions asked" 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 care in removing the record from the outer sleeve and properly protecting it in a separate white inner sleeve in order to prevent outer sleeve damage in transit. Please wait for an invoice before paying. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. Richard

P&P costs are for Royal Mail, 1st class, tracked and signed for. £5.50 for UK, £8.50 for continental Europe, and £12.50 for the rest of the world.

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record 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

Description: 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

Description: 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

Description: 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, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: 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 will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

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

Bad

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

Just to confirm postage costs : Royal Mail 1st class - UK £2, continental Europe £3.50, Rest of the World £5.50. If this item sells for more than £40 then I will insist upon "tracked and signed for" which will add a further £2-£5 postage costs dependent upon location. if in doubt then contact me before bidding. Rgds - Richard