King Crimson-In the court of the crimson king Pink "I"

	£		122
	$		162

 UK copies of this release are fast running out especially really good sounding records, so please do not miss this beautiful Crimson classic. Becoming scarcer by the day, so really need to catch this one! Will NEVER be able to substitute these UK first presses. Must be the first choice in any collector’s catalogue. The quality of sound can never be matched…so please read on, and if you decide not to, it will be a decision that you may regret for the rest of your life!!!

White I logo Pink label issued in 1969 in stereo only!

Island cat. No. ILPS 91111

Every single record I offer,I  listen intensely to ,all the way through ,and will always offer a complete refund (minus postage costs)if the buyer is not completely happy with his purchase provided the record is returned in the condition that it was received.

This record is for the serious collector, in fact for the connoisseur as this record is very special indeed. I have handled extremely carefully as this record is very, very special.On offer is the most highly sought after and desirable record at present world wide. A UK first press in sensational condition,  almost impossible to find now and becoming scarcer by the day!

Very first pressing of the COTCK on all pink Island label.

Additional stampers

1/2/2/2

1/1/1/5

Labels are the gorgeous deep salmon pink colour showing very few hairlines. These pink labels are easily stained and mottled, scuffed or lifting with the normal heavy use, but these look near perfect and complement the vinyl. Appear stunning against the jet black highly polished vinyl. No mottling or lifting of any part of the labels and are near mint minus in appearance .No spindle wear  and can observe the delicate flash residue inside the central hole-SO rare!!. Shows a careful playing history-just what collectors wish to see. Almost immaculate! How rare is that?

Vinyl

Both surfaces under ordinary conditions appear unmarked and very near perfect. No scratches !Absolutely stunning visual appearance! Only a few light surface marks are detected if angled under a strong light. Very thick, heavyweight pressing characteristic of a very early production in the late 60’s.The visual chemistry of this record is quite sensational. Boasts a  highly polished surface with a mirror like sheen, as if freshly pressed and  displays a glossy sheen just like mint vinyl. A beautiful feel and in a stunning visual condition .Not many can take your breath away but the mere look of this record does!!

Audio

This celebrated debut album became a huge seller and peaked in the UK charts at 5 in 1969.The album itself has so many silent passages that even a mint, unplayed copy will have surface noise/light crackles as there were a lot of problems with the sound production from these early presses. It is almost impossible to find one that is crystal throughout. The later pressings were even worse with terrible pops and hisses which constantly plagued the ears of the listener! However, audio is the most important feature of any album, and I must insist that this record  virtually offers the best possible audio presentation!! Not so much should we be interested in how much background noise there is, but the degree of sharpness of the tones should be of paramount importance. When I first placed the needle on this vinyl,I waited to hear the common crackle present on most records,but  all I heard was silence! Audio opens with crystal clear silent grooves, and explodes into 21st century schizoid man which grates and roars from the speakers in the most sensational way. From that moment, I knew that this record was special as I have heard many audios from these albums, as most do tend to hiss and pop. This audio is serene and the near silent grooves bring out the very best of this music.

 All of side one is heard as it should, razor sharp tones and no hissing, crackling or background interference of any kind! The album itself has so many silent passages of music and even on a mint unplayed vinyl, there will always be a degree of surface noise but this record is the most stunning that I have ever heard.The whole of the first side is immaculate with hardly a crackle and is quite sensational.Will never find a better audio than this!

Side 2 also plays with a sharp precision but as you know, Moonchild is the most notorious for hisses and crackles as these silent passages of music will test the each audio channel to its limit. After carefully listening to this track, there is the softest of surface noise (not continuous) but infrequent and a couple of sharp pops are heard for two split second durations out of the entire side two, this being during Moonchild. I was amazed and quickly checked the vinyl, but the surfaces appear perfect with little explanation to offer!

Apart from that very slight 2 sec pop , the audio again is crystal with a pin point definition so precise ,the tones heard are quite breathtaking to say the least and seldom delivered in such a sensational way. This audio captivates you as  you are lulled into a hypnotic trance, as the sensual strings and acoustics convey a mellow warmth like no other.The precision of the military drums and the haunting melodies touch the listener for ever and once heard, you will be captivated by the thought provoking lyrics and the staggering swells and dips of the intricate soft warm tones.

This audio conveys a razor sharp edge to the music and the audio is synonomous with near mint vinyl as the sounds remain completely undistorted. Absolutely awesome - have to hear to believe as these near silent grooves bring out the best tones that I have ever heard. Almost a perfect aural presentation.

Sleeve

Printed and made by E J Day. A genuine first press, unlaminated and very prone to edge wear. Opens to near perfect inners with a strong vibrant purplish navy coloration. No fading and clean with no tears, rips or unwanted hand writing. Little wear showing on top/lower edges and  wear on corners and top/bottom of spine. Spine still showing title and quite square and solid.Very slight feathering to opening edge. Beautiful outer face with a sticker blemish on top right corner!Overall  the gatefold is graded  excellent minus/excellent ! Not many found like this as many were very heavily handled. All colours do remain strong and the psychedelic deep pink/blue inks on the faces give  remarkable front/reverse covers. Very striking and gives an  excellent presentation to this remarkable record!

These first UK issues are a cut above the rest, being brilliantly remastered in a way to give the loudest cut for regenerating those tracks which were made to be played at maximum volume.The robotic vocals reverberating from speaker to speaker in Schizoid must be heard by all, as the tones are staggering with an intensity which is unbelievable.In contrast, the delicate intricacy conveyed in Moonchild just enhances the sheer depth of musicianship and one can appreciate why this album is the most sensational rock album ever produced.

An awesome album on offer here,. A very decent album sleeve ,vinyl with highly polished surfaces, beautiful deep salmon pink labels and a very unique, near perfect audio offering crystal clear channels and near silent grooves.Will find very difficult to match and a vinyl to simply treasure.Awesome without a doubt. A buzz word maybe, but unable to describe in any other way. Best audio you are ever likely to hear from a copy of COTCK. Absolutely stunning!! 

Becoming scarcer every day and getting more and more difficult to find a UK first press of this album in such a sensational condition. Will not come across another like this if ever, so please do not miss!!!

Shipping

UK-£5.50 incl insurance/special dely

Europe-£5.50

USA/Japan-£7.00

Insurance will be offered owing to the high cost of this album at auction end.Good luck to each and every one of you as it may very well be the last opportunity that you will get to own a remarkable UK first press of THE best rock album ever produced.

Extra insurance will be offered at extra cost after the auction ends.