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In The Court Of The Crimson King A2/B3 1969 Pink 'i' Island Label

An Observation By King Crimson

This relatively rare and very collectable first A2/B3 pressing plays to a standard I have never encountered before!  That is not a 'sales spin' and is based on a complete grading of the record because as always I have listened to every track in full.  Both sides play with exceptional clarity, power and definition and I honestly believe it can be described 'as new'.  A common 'problem' with this LP is that the quiet sections on this LP often play with some interference but that is just not the case here.  'I Talk To The Wind' on S1 and both 'Moonchild' and 'The Court Of The Crimson King...' on S2 play with a clarity that is just STUNNING in every way!  There are no click or pops, no background static and only 3/4 minor static ticks.  I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the sonic quality is and it provides so many reasons why we listen to vinyl.  Any other medium does not have the warmth and depth that vinyl brings and especially on the first pressings.  This is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic!  The vinyl is also very impressive visually with only a couple of minor marks on S1 that of course have no impact on the audio.

The iconic cover is also one of the finest I have ever seen.  With hardly any wear it has retained its original colour and imagery so well and both the record and cover have obviously been very carefully looked after down the years, over 53 of them!  The inner sleeve although not original is also in superb condition.

This A2/B3 variant is actually one of the most collectable of the first pressings in that it wasn't produced in vast numbers.  The A2/B4 matrix is a lot more commonly seen.

ILPS 9111  A▽ 2  1 2 1 2

ILPS 9111  B // 3  1 1 1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The pink 'i' labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen withy no scratches.  S1 does have a fine hairline mark across most of the final track and a faint 'dotted' hairline scuff which is slightly longer but neither of them have any effect on the perfect audio.  Zero!  Aside from that it has only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines which you can only see under a strong light.  The run out grooves are very clean and the iconic pink 'i' labels are unmarked with only a little spindle wear.  A fine example overall of this superb album.

Play grading

The run in on has no 'background' so you already expecting S1 to play with stunning quality and it does not disappoint!  The quiet intro on '21st Century Schizoid Man' plays with wonderful clarity with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and as the volume increases the power and depth of the audio is 'as new'.  The opening vocal is just as good and it continues to play with a clarity of sound that could not be enhanced in any way.  I cannot overstate just how strong and clear the audio is and the long mid instrumental is a prime example of that.  This has lost none of its original sonic quality and even the brief 'silences' during the staccato section have no 'background'.  The final verse and end instrumental play to the same high end standard with zero intrusion.  If you want a perfect version of this classic then this is the album to own.  A breath-taking Mint start to the album.

The intro on the gentle 'I Talk To The Wind' plays beautifully with no interference and the opening verse / chorus then play with a clarity that is second to none.  It continues in the same way with crystal clear audio and the mid instrumental more than keeps up this fine standard with not even a single dust tick!  The following chorus is flawless and the even quieter final verse has no intrusion either and neither does closing instrumental section.  The long fade out also plays with sublime clarity.  This is of course such a quiet track so there would be no hiding place for any interference (if there was any!) and I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint there is no need for a minus even.  It could not play any better.  Wow!!

The segue into 'Epitaph...' is faultless and the opening instrumental is just as impressive.  The first verse is 'as new' with not one dust tick and this clarity of sound is prevalent throughout.  As the volume increases during the '...I fear tomorrow I'll be crying...' vocal section there is no decrease in quality.  There is no distortion on the top end and this level of sonic quality is comparable is equal to that of an un-played record and I say that with complete honesty.  The crescendo of sound after the next verse is absolutely STUNNING!  So powerful and yet no distortion whatsoever.  The acoustic section that follows plays with perfect clarity as does the next instrumental passage.  The repeated first verse is 'as new' and the classic finale plays with a power and depth that could not be rivalled and the long fade out again plays with sensational clarity.  Only on these first pressings will you find audio as strong as this and on a super clean vinyl such as this will the sonic quality be as it was back in '69.  This classic epic is again Mint from the first note to the last.  Mind-blowing stuff!!

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We all know how problematic 'Moonchild...' can be as it is so often affected by interference and yet this is without doubt the most STUNNING version I have ever heard.  The intro has only a couple of mega light static ticks (not interference!) and the opening vocal has no 'background' at all.  The second verse and following instrumental are equal to this and the third and fourth verse also play with sublime clarity with not so much as a dust tick.  The quiet section signalling the start of the long instrumental plays so clearly with no 'background' and this super quiet section continues to play with a clarity that just leaves you speechless!  The playback is so clean - so quiet you could hear a pin drop - and I only detected a couple of minor static ticks.  This passage of music is again so often beset with problems but not here!  I have never ever heard it play with such impeccable clarity and it has that aesthetic CD like clean quality but without the warmth and depth that you only find on vinyl.  You cannot even hear the stylus running through the grooves!  Remember this album has just turned 53!  Each note is so clean and precise and you can hear every subtle nuance in the music.  It plays with exceptional quality right to the very end with just one more static tick in a sense you expect the odd static tick, this is vinyl!  In saying that there are only 3/4 of them throughout the entire 12+ minutes and I no hesitation in grading this as Mint- but really I do not think it could play any better.  It is the definitive version in my humble opinion.

That classic familiar intro on 'The Court Of The Crimson King...' is faultless and the first verse is just as 'clean'.  It continues to play with imperious quality through every section and there is no distortion on the top end.  The sonic quality is again as it was back in '69 perhaps better on my stereo set up (!) and the playback is phenomenal!  The verses are 'as new' and the quieter section around the four minute mark plays with outstanding clarity and of course...no 'background'.  The final verse plays beautifully and you really notice how clear and precise the accompanying acoustic guitar is.  The next 'choral' section is just as impressive and the classic quiet section that follows is just perfect.  The percussive opening has no intrusion and the few seconds of silence are exactly that, totally silent!  The classic finale is so strong and powerful and again you can turn it up to max without fear of distortion.  No word of a lie I heard things during this recording that I have never heard before and that is a true measure of the clarity on offer here.  From start to finish I cannot fault it and this is another definitive version.  This is pure Mint audio all the way!

In summary this very collectable album has to be the finest version I have ever encountered.  I sold a very impressive one a couple of months back but this one is even better!  I honestly do not think I have ever sold one that grades as Mint- on both sides and understandably this is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in every way.  This is why we listen to vinyl!  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is on a level that I have never heard before and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  Every quiet section plays with sublime clarity and all the powerful sections play without distortion, this truly is audio of the highest calibre.  You do not find sonic quality as strong as this on any of the later pressings / reissues and this is quite simply the MOST COMPLETE version I have ever listened to.  This obviously will add to any high end collection and together with a super clean cover I am sure the winning bidder will be equally as impressed as I am with the overall 'package'!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

More good news in that the iconic E.J. Day cover is in superb condition with barely any wear!  The edges are pristine with no marking and the wide spine is also super clean with just minimal wear on the bottom corner, very minimal!  The other corners are in fine shape hardly any wear / rubbing and the opening edge has just very minor handling wear on the edge of the back cover.  The front cover is immaculate and does not even have any creasing around the edges which is a genuine rarity.  The back cover is equally as clean and has just one minor bend in the top left corner which does not cause any creasing.  The inside of the gatefold is also in lovely condition with no marking and the inner spine is 'as new' for once.  A stunning example of this very famous cover.

I'm sure the poly-lined inner sleeve isn't the original as it is dated 7-74 in one corner.  It is however in great condition with no side splits or marking and only minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

ILPS 9111  A▽ 2  1 2 1 2

ILPS 9111  B // 3  1 1 1 1

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 : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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!