KING CRIMSON In The Court Of The Crimson King 1969 pink Island UK prog gem VG+

	£		53
	$		71

KING CRIMSON - IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

Classic and increasingly rare original UK 1969 12" LP on the ISLAND record label, ILPS-9111

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  ILPS 9111 A//3 1 1 3    Side 2   ILPS 9111 B//3 1 2 3 

 Each side of the vinyl has retained much of it's original sheen and in normal daylight has an excellent appearance. There are a number of wispy hairlines and tiny scuffs, however, and on side 2 a non-feelable surface hairline (not immediately obvious) that tracks across the entire playing surface from the circumference to the dead wax area: but all of these are strictly surface only and do not appear to negatively affect playback. The exception to this is a very small scratch right at the end of side 1 which results in 19 mild clicks at the end of "Epitaph" - these mild clicks start just as this track begins to fade and continue into the dead wax area until stylus pick-up. Not too obtrusive at all. I would rate the overall condition of the vinyl as a solid VG.

The labels are excellent. Hard to fault with the only imperfections being a couple of very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each side.

The iconic E.J. Day gatefold sleeve is in very good- condition. The edges do suffer from scuffing, as do the corners and the spine. I have tried to capture the significance of this scuffing in my photos, and on the spine is sufficient to significantly impede upon the writing. I have also just noticed that there is a 3cm split situated at the centre of the reverse side top edge - it is not immediately obvious. The scuffing is also present on the opening edge which has become slightly frayed. That's all the bad news...the good news is that there is no unwanted writing anywhere, no nasty creasing and the iconic imagery of the front, reverse, and centre all remains nicely intact. In fact, opening up the gatefold to reveal the wonderful centre imagery (with lyrics) still sends a shiver up my back, invoking fond memories of this golden era when classic albums were released on almost a weekly basis. VG- for the sleeve (but NM for the memories it invokes!)

The audio quality is very good+. In fact, "Schizoid Man", "I Talk To The Wind", "Epitaph" and "Court Of the Crimson King" are each excellent (excepting those aforementioned mild clicks right at the end of "Epitaph"). Great tone and clarity and no distortion whatsoever, even on this higher frequencies. On "Moonchild" there is just the hint of a little background crackle but the track is still eminently playable, and you may be able to detect some similar background light crackle right at the beginning and end of each side, but apart from that the quality of the audio is excellent and impressive throughout. Just sit back, turn up the volume, and enjoy. This isn't the greatest progressive rock album of all time for nothing!

The track listing is :

Side 1:

1. 21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN including MIRRORS

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 complete with the original poly-lined inner which has no splits or tears, just some very mild creasing towards the corners and some slight age discolouration towards the edges. Excellent!

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

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

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for almost 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 over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of them. 

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 cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit. Furthermore, all records selling for more than £40 are placed within a polythene sleeve and the record itself in a new plain white inner sleeve, thus ensuring that the original inner reaches it's destination completely unscathed. I take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for : UK £5, continental Europe (including Russia) £11, and Rest of the World £16. 

I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases - normally a further £1 per LP for the UK, £2 per LP for continental Europe, and £3 per LP for USA and the rest of the world.. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. Good luck with your bidding. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record 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

Description: 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

Description: 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

Description: 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, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: 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 will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

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

Bad

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