KING CRIMSON IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING 1970 ISLAND ORLAKE CONTRACT PRESS

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

On offer here is a lovely copy of the iconic debut studio album by King Crimson titled "In The Court Of The Crimson King", Catalogue Number ILPS-9111. It's a 1970 UK stereo 2nd pressing on the Pink Rim Island record label, with a 1st issue E. J. Day Group matt finish gatefold sleeve, designed by Barry Godber. It comes complete with its original plain white poly-lined inner sleeve. What makes this copy special is that it was pressed under contract by the Orlake plant in Dagenham and was mastered by the renowned cutting engineer George Peckham (identified by the Side B dead-wax etching "PECKO").

The sleeve is the earliest possible design printed by E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford. The characteristic features which confirm it to be an Orlake pressing are the rough-textured Island labels with raised outer pink rim bands, and a different font for the stamped record matrix numbers which are ILPS+9111+A2 and ILPS+9111+B3. "PECKO" is etched in the run-out of Side B. 

The sleeve is in EX condition with only light signs of wear and no creases of any significance, just a few tiny lines near the spine. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is solid with text clearly legible. Overall it's a beautiful example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record is in EX condition. It retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are just a few faint sleeve removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact upon the audio playback. The Island labels are like new with just short spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. The sound quality is particularly dynamic and powerful with great bass and lots of wonderful sound effects. Many people consider the Pink Rim Island pressings mastered by George Peckham to be sonically superior to the Pink Island first pressings. I guess that is subjective, but I can confirm that this pressing sounds spectacular to me. It is well documented that many Island pressings of the period generally suffered from inherent residual surface sound. This particular example is much better than most. There are of course a few soft and random ticks during the lead-in and linking grooves and the silences and quiet tinklings of Moonchild, but in my opinion these do not detract from the overall listening experience. 

The original inner sleeve has some age discoloration and minor creasing but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete Orlake contract pressing of King Crimson's iconic debut studio album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is 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 and virtually no discernible 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.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

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 - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50