KING CRIMSON - Lizard - RARER ORIG UK 1970 ISLAND EX LP. MOSTLY IMPRESSIVE SOUND

	£		102
	$		135

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: KING CRIMSON

Album Title: Lizard

Producer(s): Robert Fripp & Peter Sinfield

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Cirkus (including Entry of the Chameleons); Indoor Games; Happy Family; Lady of the Dancing Water.

Side 2: Lizard; a) Prince Rupert Awakes b) Bolero – The Peacocks Tale; c) The Battle of Glass Tears including 1: Dawn Song 2: Last Skirmish 3: Prince Rupert’s Lament 4: Big Top.

Label/Format: Island – original pink rim format with matt, smooth surfaces. This album was not issued on the full pink format in the UK, these are genuine first press formats. Slightly later pink rim labels included text: P 1970 Island Records Ltd, at the 3 o’clock position each side. First pressings as this, does not have this text, only the 1970 date. All the label text is also bolder, and the design deeper coloured.

Label Conditions: Both in superb condition: very clean, fresh and highly attractive with minimal spindle mark traces. This exceptional example appears very little used.

Cat Number: ILPS 9141

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 140 grams. An impressive weight for this album, invariably heavier than later copies.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity & Special Note: First issues of this wonderful prog album included an E. J. Day cover with a wider spine, the text inverted compared to most standard reading covers, these also had less shiny laminate. Also they included a white inner sleeve prior to the issue of the blue types. Second ‘Day’ covers had the spine text printed the other way and had more shiny laminate, the spines were also less wide. I own both versions myself. Later covers were printed by Robor. This album only missed the pink label cut by a few weeks and was one of the earliest original albums on the new format. In terms of rarity, the early ones are scarce, but special mention has to be made about the pressing quality. King Crimson, prog and vinyl collectors will know just how bad this album often sounds. I am sure this was often pressed on recycled vinyl and the audio quality often horrendous. An album rarely heard without significant crackle, pops, clicks and even pressing sounds – personally, I will never buy a copy of this album without being able to play it first, simply because I know it has lottery odds on sounding decent. All King Crimson albums are a challenge in terms of musical content with passages of volume and then very quiet, so a top pressing is always required for a better listening experience. But I have heard very few Lizard’s that offer it. Inherent crackle being the biggest and most consistent problem, few seem to avoid it, finding a truly clean pressing is beyond difficult. So when one surfaces I consider them rare, finding one played less as well, very rare. Another issue with the rarer inverted text spine covers is the laminate. This more often seen with manufacture adhesion issues, creasing lines are seldom avoided, this has some, but none too heavy, but present nonetheless, they will always show a little. Overall, a copy here that should please the majority of listeners, it plays with little unwanted and probably the cleanest pressing I have heard for a while. An immensely complex and challenging album that was enjoyed to almost maximum advantage on an early-pressed record. This is not silent, I doubt if any copy ever truly will be, but with only the odd gentle reminder of what you are playing, this I consider easily good enough to offer and most should find it enjoyable and acceptable. Highly recommended, it could even prove an upgrade for some. Arguably, the most challenging and complex of the King Crimson albums in just about every respect.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9141 A-2U / ILPS 9141 B-2U

Stamper Codes: 2 M [these a little unclear] / 1 AD

Musicians: Robert Fripp - guitar, mellotron, electric keyboards and devices; Mel Collins - flute and saxes; Gordon Haskell - bass guitar, vocals; Andy McCulloch - drums; Peter Sinfield - words. Guests: Robin Miller - Oboe, cor anglais; Mark Charig - cornet; Nick Evans - trombone; Keith Tippet - Piano, electric piano; Jon Anderson (of Yes) vocals on ‘Prince Rupert Awakes’.

Brief Info: With Ian McDonald and Greg Lake now departed, this could have been a serious blow few bands could have coped with, but against the odds King Crimson’s third album is a prog classic and one of my favourites within their illustrious early catalogue. The bands second album, ‘In the Wake of Poseidon’ was criticised somewhat for being too similar to the debut classic, this one pushed the boundaries of progressive rock still further and introduced a more jazzy sound. A highly adventurous and complex work with use of many varied instruments as will be clear from above. Beautifully produced, but so regularly let-down by poor pressing quality. The packaging includes a stunning cover with magnificent artwork – this is real progressive rock at it’s very best. The title song has beautiful use of wind instruments including the haunting cor anglais – a woodwind instrument similar to the oboe but deeper – few prog bands used such exotic instruments as often or effectively as King Crimson and Lizard remains possibly their most complex and inventive work. This is a very fine all-round copy that includes the rarer inverted spine text and a record that is generally well-pressed (more details further down). Typically testing on vinyl with it’s usual roller-coaster ride of extreme volume and very quiet passages. This copy plays impressively well and mostly without the usual crackle and surface noises that blight so many. These days, I buy most of my records on approval, and this particular album is probably the most rejected one I come across. Most I hear, have unaccepable levels surface noise, constant crackle, pops, clicks and even pressing noises and distortion. The slightly later pressed ones seem to give the most problems, made in the era of the oil crisis of 1971-72 when records were often pressed on recycled vinyl (often including the labels), hardly any wonder they sound so bad. Even the most perfect shiny and unplayed copies can disappoint, these sounding terrible from day one. Well this copy plays very well with little unwanted. The odd sporadic light click or blemish near impossible to avoid on such content, but the lack of crackle and contact noise a massive plus. A little very brief, gentle rumble within the pressing was heard near the beginning, but fades within seconds, so not perfect, but this copy sets a high standard and throws down the gauntlet to be beaten. The cover also suffers laminate adhesion issues – many seen with large crinkle and blistering and few will ever be ‘perfect’. This has some, but fairly fine and a little less evident than some I have seen before, this being the first ‘Day’ cover with the less shiny laminate variation. I have yet to find a first issue cover without some laminate issues, often far more serious than here. Overall a splendid copy, silence for this record is nigh-on impossible, but this in all departments is strong and almost as good as they ever get, and at least, one that can be played an enjoyed unless the listener is paranoid on any minor blemish. If that is the case, the search for a near impossible original continues, or stick to the digital format.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: one of the most gorgeous prog and Island covers ever made and this does it near high justice. A gatefold format with laminate on front and back, the inside matt and smooth. This the more difficult less shiny finish type. Printed and made in England by the E. J. Day Group and has the wider and robust spine with the inverted text. Includes the first plain white inner sleeve.

Lamination: front & back: With artwork of this quality, it has to be seen near it’s very best. The first covers used laminate that had a less glossy surface and it did not adhere as well as the later more glossy type. This has several adhesion ‘creases’, but less thick or heavy than some I have seen, and this has avoided any blistering or lifting. These are a common trait of this cover, and probably why the format was changed for second printings. However, still attractive with any surface marks few and light as seen under light. Overall a very fine first print copy, in most cases, if the original is wanted, a few blemishes or minor manufacturing flaws almost come as standard.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Any discolouration minimal and light near the top edges. A fairly gentle secondary crease to the right of the central hinge. The culprit is the wider spine, this is rarely avoided, this is light overall and only seen on the inside.

Top Edges: Both thick, straight, flat and flush with barely any hint of wear.

Bottom Edges: Same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both clean, mostly sharp with minimal hint of wear or thickening, these are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced. The record enters on the back.

Spine and Text: Very robust and solid, this made wider and remaining straight with minimal compression. Folded squarely (not always the case), so the edges meet up almost flush and parallel. All text is perfect and unworn under the very solid, uncracked laminate that is fully intact and all is smooth to the fingertip. This text is printed upside down compared to what is considered the ‘normal’ way round. This is read with the front cover facing downwards, later ones were changed to the usual style. (Please see my close-up of the text to make this clearer).

Corners: A tiny dink on the back top left tip, little else with mostly excellent shape retained.

Cover Summary: A very fine original, these invariably will have mild laminate adhesion issues at best. As stated, this has several fine, and natural crinkle lines that few will ever avoid. A trait of the E. J. Day first print covers that many will already know. I do not consider this wear, they were like it from new. So in terms of real wear, this has little, on that basis, it should please many collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): many still think the earliest pink rim albums had the blue lined inners, well not so. A plain solid white unlined inner preceded them and this has little to fault at all. Aged little with hardly any creasing, no edge splits (or repairs).

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: a very fine visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly pressed by EMI. Under bright angled light light, any surface trace marks are very few, ultra fine and faint, there are no penetrating stylus scratches. Totally harmless and I am very confident this copy has hardly been played, visually, it should please many, if not most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This classic Island record mostly plays impressively with far less unwanted than most-all examples I have heard to date. And I have heard a fair number of time. It has very little to fault and, this too on an immensely difficult and complex recording. As mentioned already, a little, very brief, and low-level rumble was just heard at the very beginning, this purely in the pressing, but it disappeared very quickly. An album that offers powerful distortion-free sound – that’s a huge bonus on an album that has immense dynamics, detail and difficult sound passages with heavy use of critical tracking wind instruments and mellotron, always the most susceptible to groove-wear damage and clipping (or worse, distortion). All frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality, at times is astonishing with a massive dynamic range and very detailed, complex, real hi-fi sound. This copy largely lacks that dreaded crackle and pressing noises that ruin so many. I have heard copies of this that have consistent moderate crackle throughout and it totally ruins the experience. So to play-grade one that has little was a real joy, it has no tracking issues*. Way better pressed than average, I reject more of these than probably any other album within the prog-rock genre. Silence, as stated above, is near impossible on this album, especially if played on a more revealing system. With extremes in volume every other minute, this, like all in their catalogue is difficult. Passages of the ‘Lizard’ suite are immensely challenging with almost silence in places, only the best-pressed early copies will ever have a chance to perform well enough to please the more discerning collectors. There will always be the odd tick or sporadic click at best, if anyone owns a totally CD quiet copy of this album, well treasure it, because few ever will be. Overall, one of the better-pressed ‘Lizards’ I have heard for some, it will take an exceptional copy just to better it significantly. Little of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record – if absolute dead silence is demanded, well the CD version is an alternative but the sheer scale and drama of this magnificent recording on vinyl takes a lot of beating. My LP12 is ultra sensitive and little escapes its clinical ability to reveal, I found this copy VERY enjoyable – I do not expect miracles from any ‘Lizard’, with some noise usually anticipated. The details and intricate production embedded within these vintage grooves are definitive and this copy will prove very difficult to find better. Nothing compares to an early issue for those extra tiny pieces of detail, the audiophile collector reading this will know exactly what I mean, not quite so easy to put into words. This is a copy I can highly recommend (unless total silence is mandatory), do not under-estimate how rare copies like this really are. I still maintain, this is one of the most difficult albums within the Island catalogue, any many collector and customer friend agree. This is NOT silent, but has far fewer issues than average, if a copy like this cannot be offered, it makes me wonder if any really can – so it should please many collectors.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.