KING CRIMSON In The Court Of...1969 UK 1st Press A2/B3 PINK ISLAND ILPS 9111 VG+

	£		111
	$		147

KING CRIMSON - IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

A highly presentable and nice condition (especially the vinyl and audio quality) copy of this increasingly rare and highly sought after UK 1969 1st press King Crimson prog rock classic, on the coveted "white i" pink Island record label, STEREO, ILPS-9111

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1   ILPS - 9111 A 2 with stampers "1 2" and "2 1" 

Side 2    ILPS - 9111 B//3 with stampers "1 1   6 9" and "1"

The appearance and overall condition of the flat and heavy vinyl is very good plus (VG+). Glossy vinyl with a superb jet black sheen and in normal daylight each side of the vinyl comes across as truly excellent; it is only with very close scrutiny under a bright light that a few small, surface only very light scuffs come into view, along with just a few very wispy hairlines. All of these are non-feelable and appear to be purely superficial. The single exception to this is a tiny "dot" towards the end of Moonchild on side 2, which is just (and only just) feelable and does result in x7 very light, background and non-intrusive clicks. Because of this manufacturing "dot" (for some reason very common with UK early pressing Island records) I cannot grade as excellent, but certainly a solid very good plus.

The labels are excellent (EX). Lovely smooth matt textured pink background labels with the iconic Island white "i" and all black text in unmarked condition, the only blemish being some small and very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label. 

The condition of the non-laminated E.J. Day iconic outer gatefold sleeve is very good plus (VG+). All edges remain rigid, including the spine, but there is intermittent and clearly visible scuffing on each of the top and bottom edges, and some obvious sporadic scuffing on the spine (see photo) though most of the spine text is still legible. There is no creasing and the corners remain nicely defined right angles but there is scuffing on each, and the opening edges are firm with no sign of fraying or feathering. The art work, colouring, and text of both the exterior and interior of the gatefold remain in iconically excellent condition, still with vibrant colouring and perfect definition throughout. I think that "VG+" is a fair assessment of the overall condition of the gatefold but I would also say that this "VG+" is closer to "VG" than "EX"!

The quality of the audio is excellent (EX) on side 1 and very good plus (VG+) on side 2. Brilliant tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No skips, jumps, repeats, sticks, intrusive clicks or obvious background crackle. Apart from just a little, very mild background crackle during the dead wax intro to 21st Century Schizoid Man there is little to detract from the excellent sound quality on side 1; on side 2 there is again just a little very mild crackle during the intro to Moonchild, and again towards the end of the same track along with the aforementioned x7 very mild background clicks (I also noticed one other mild click about half way through the same track), and on the final track there is some very mild, non-intrusive crackle during the first verse. I should stress, however, that these are each very minor glitches and every track on this wonderful LP makes for a great listen. This is groundbreaking late 60's prog rock at it's very best. Truly one of the all time great prog LP's.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN

2. I TALK TO THE WIND

3. EPITAPH including (a) MARCH FOR NO REASON, (b) TOMORROW AND TOMORROW

Side 2 :

1. MOONCHILD including (a) THE DREAM, (b) THE ILLUSION

2. THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING including (a) THE RETURN OF THE FIRE WITCH, (b) THE DANCE OF THE PUPPETS

Comes with original plain white "PATENT Nos..." and "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN" inner sleeve with no tears, rips, seam splits, creasing or even the usual mild discolouration due to ageing, and of course remaining fully functional. Note that I always use a new, plain white replacement inner sleeve for shipping purposes in order to protect the original.

In summary a highly presentable and great sounding copy  of this increasingly rare and sought after 1969 UK 1st press King Crimson prog rock classic - the whole LP is a great listen, highly collectible, a "must" for any serious vinyl collection and will only continue to gain in value.

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

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 65 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

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 quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £4.00, Royal Mail 1st class, signed for; 

Continental Europe £12, and Rest of the World £16 respectively, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail tracked and signed for

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records 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

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

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

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, discolouration, etc.

Fair

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 are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

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

Bad

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