KING CRIMSON, IN THE COURT OF..MINT- 1969 UK PINK ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		841
	$		1,115

betsy50 store

Hello, my name is Nick (aka playgraderecords). I have been an avid record collector for many years, building up an extensive collection of mostly blues/rock, psych, progressive and classic rock albums from the mid sixties to early seventies period. I have decided to sell off a few choice albums in either the Fixed Price or Auction formats. These offerings represent the crème de la crème of my 35 years of record collecting and are of the highest quality. My grading is strict and any significant defects will be mentioned. You can rest assured that a record that I grade as MINT- will be both visually and aurally as fine a copy as you are ever likely to find (hopefully my feedback and 4.94/5.0 "item as described" rating will bear this out). My descriptions are concise and in accordance with the GRADINGS detailed below. I will not bore you with the unnecessary duplication of song lyrics, and self-respect will not allow the use of ridiculous words like "awesome, mega, hyper", etc., or endless exclamation marks. Customer satisfaction is of the highest importance to me. In the unlikely event that you are not entirely happy with an LP for any reason, I will refund you in full upon return without any hassle.

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer an exceptional example of the brilliant progressive studio album by KING CRIMSON titled “IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9111. This is an original 1969 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st ISSUE E. J. DAY MATT-FINISH GATEFOLD SLEEVE. Complete with the correct white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The record labels have a rough-textured finish and the matrix numbers are the earliest ILPS 9111 Av2 and ILPS Bv2 (where v = upside-down triangle)].

The Barry Godber designed sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear. I have included numerous photos of the sleeve, taken from all angles, which hopefully show what a beautiful example it is. The only minor detraction is a small amount of clear tape residue on the corners (the clear tape protection dropped off years ago) - but this has not damaged the surface of the cover in any way. 

The record is in MINT- condition. The rough-textured Pink Island labels are like new with only a few faint spindle traces each side. I can confirm that it has only received a few careful plays on top quality hifi. Both sides play excellently throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and minimal unwanted noise. The audio is very powerful and vibrant, and provides a truly compelling listening experience. The small amount of surface sound present is both random and transient, and is not intrusive in any way. In my opinion it was inherent in the pressing when new. I have never found an Av2/Bv2 pressing of this album that plays totally silently, and I doubt very much that any exist. This copy is the nicest that I have seen in years.

The white poly-lined inner sleeve has a number stamped in one corner but is otherwise in EX condition.

Overall this is a superb and complete 1st press copy of King Crimson’s iconic progressive masterpiece which will grace any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Linn Sondek LP12 turntable fitted with a high end cartridge. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

PACKAGING        

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £12.95

Worldwide - £16.80

The B Side matrix is of course B//2 not Bv2. Apologies for my typo.