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In The Court Of The Crimson King A2/B4 1969 Pink 'i' Island Label

An Observation By King Crimson

This very collectable album plays with incredible audio on both sides with only very minimal 'background'.  S1 is absolutely immaculate with no interference of any kind and S2 only has some light static ticks at the start of the instrumental section on 'Moonchild'.  Aside from that the clarity and definition of the audio is on a level that you so rarely find on this classic album.  The sonic quality can accurately be described 'as new' I cannot emphasise enough just how perfect the audio is!  The vinyl is also visually stunning and has clearly been looked after so well and not played very much at all based on the stunning clarity of sound and the minimal spindle wear.

The famous cover is also one of the finest examples I have seen.  It has barely any wear and has retained its original colour and imagery so well.  The inner sleeve is unmarked and has only one small side split.

This is known as the fourth variant of the first pressing with the A2/B4 matrix.  I have sold a few of these over the years but never one as impressive as this - with fantastic audio and such a beautifully clean cover this is a stunning 'package'.

ILPS 9111  A▽ 2  1 4 2

ILPS 9111  B // 4  1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 first part of instrumental section is Ex)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The pink 'i' labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex-

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition with an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can you see a small number of the usual faint hairlines which have no effect on the audio.  This has to be one of the cleanest example I have ever seen.  The run out grooves are very clean and the iconic pink 'i' labels are unmarked with only minimal faint spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no 'background' and then the quiet intro on '21st Century Schizoid Man' plays with remarkable clarity which is a genuine rarity.  No interference just a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  As this classic 'kicks into gear' the audio plays with a power and depth that is stunning.  There is no distortion on the top end and the clarity of sound to put it simply is amazing!  I cannot emphasise enough just how clear the audio is, each note is so sharp and precise and the long instrumental is a prime example of that.  Even as you approach the end the brief 'silences' during the staccato section have no 'background' and the final verse and instrumental are of the same 'high end' standard.  This is a phenomenal start to the album and I have no hesitation in grading it as Mint such is the quality, no need for a minus here!

'I Talk To The Wind' then plays beautifully with zero intrusion.  The intro and first verse play with sublime clarity and the opening chorus is just as impressive.  It continues in the same way with exceptional clarity and warmth and during the mid instrumental I heard only 2/3 very light static ticks that obviously are so quiet and non-intrusive.  The even quieter final verse near the end is faultless and the instrumental that closes the album could not play any better.  The fade out has no 'background' whatsoever.  I honestly believe Mint is again deserved here.  A stunning version.

The segue and opening instrumental on 'Epitaph...' are 'as new' and the first verse has not even a single dust tick.  So far I just cannot believe what I am listening to!  This really is audio of the highest calibre, there are no negatives.  This clarity of sound is equal to that of an unplayed record but without the warmth and depth that you only find on the first pressings.  As the volume increases the sonic quality does not diminish and the vocal is as sharp and precise as it would have been when first played in '69.  The first real crescendo sound has NO distortion and the acoustic section that follows has no intrusion either.  The next instrumental again plays with unbelievable clarity and depth as does the following vocal section.  The classic finale is on a level I do not think I have witnessed before.  So powerful, so strong and deep and without any distortion and the long fade out has no interference either, not even a dust tick as I often say!  This is pure STUNNING Mint audio from the first note to the last.  Audio does not get any better than this!

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As any collector will know 'Moonchild...' is so often affected by static/ticks/clicks but this is undeniably one of the 'cleanest' versions I have ever heard.  The intro is close to perfect with only a couple of very light static ticks just before the vocal comes in.  The verses then play with a clarity that is second to none with no interference at all, the clarity is outstanding!  A Mint- start for sure.  The instrumental piece then has some intermittent static ticks at the start but the clarity is still very impressive with no actual background static if you understand what I mean.  There are no clicks either!  This 'background' lasts for about 45 seconds and I would grade this section as Ex - like I say it still plays extremely well.  The super quiet section that follows plays with stunning clarity and barely any 'background'.  A very small number of mega light ticks that is all - the playback is STUNNING especially when you consider this album has just turned 53!  Each note is so clean and precise - so clean you can hear every subtle nuance in the music, this truly is audio is of the highest quality.  This is of course such a long quiet section and yet the sonic quality is breathtakingly good!  Only at the beginning is there a little 'background' but even then it is not intrusive.  In fact forget what I said earlier this is most STUNNING example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  To the end it plays beautifully with no interference and this entire section has to grade as Mint- it really is that impressive.

The familiar classic intro on 'The Court Of The Crimson King...' is 'as new' and the first verse is of the same high end standard with no 'background' at all.  It continues to play with sublime quality through every instrumental piece and vocal and once more I am blown away at the sheer quality of the music.  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion and this is surely a sign of how infrequently this has been played.  The playback is amazing!  The quieter section around the four minute mark plays to perfection and as it builds you cannot fault the audio.  The final verse has no 'background' and the following 'choral' section / instrumental play with sublime clarity and power.  The next very quiet section again leaves you shaking your head in disbelief!!  The clarity of sound is quite simply amazing, it just never plays this well.  The percussion that signal the end of this particular section are so strong and deep - if you win this just listen you will understand exactly what I mean, they really do reverberate around the room.  The classic finale could not play with any greater precision - immense power and depth and again no interference, no distortion not even on the crescendo ending - just pure Mint audio in all its grandeur!  In fact I would say this entire track grades as Mint as I really cannot fault it in any way. I do not think I have ever heard a Mint version of this classic but we certainly have one here!

In summary this very collectable album plays to standard that you so rarely find today and this is exactly why we listen to vinyl!  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio that is on offer here cannot be replicated by any other medium.  The vast majority of this album is 'as new' no exaggeration and only at the beginning of the long instrumental section on 'Moonchild' is there a little 'background' which really is not that intrusive and reminds us we are listening to vinyl!  Aside from that this truly is audio of the highest calibre and provides so many reasons why the first pressings are so collectable and especially one as 'clean' and visually stunning as this.  You do not find sonic quality as impressive as this on any later pressing/reissues and is the most 'complete' version I have ever listened to for sure.  I am confident the winning bidder will be as impressed as I am and together with a stunning cover this would add to any collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The E.J. Day cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear and has retained its original shape so well.  The edges and wide spine are perfect with no marking and all the corners show how well this cover has been preserved with no wear/creasing.  The opening edge is also incredibly clean with next to no handling wear.  The front cover is so clean with only one very small white blemish on the face and the absolute bare minimum of fading around the edges and I do mean very minimal!  The back cover is equally as clean with only minimal ringwear and minimal light fading near the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking and overall this is a stunning example of this iconic cover.

The plain white die-cut inner is in excellent order with only one small side split, no marking and only a little creasing.  It has Patent Applied For and Made in England printed on one side.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ILPS 9111  A▽ 2  1 4 2

ILPS 9111  B // 4  1 1 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!