King Crimson : In The Wake Of Poseidon A-1 / B-1 1st Press on Pink 'i' Label

This is by far the most stunning example of this first pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  I cannot overstate how beautifully it plays and it is obvious the record has only been played three, maybe four times at most.  The clarity and sonic quality is as good as when it was first released back in 1970.  That is not me over-selling it - I have played every track twice and there are perhaps only a couple of minor intrusions.  You don't need me to tell you how rare this is when you consider how many quiet sections there are!

The fully textured gatefold is in lovely condition with only minor wear on the edges and the original inner is near perfect with only minimal creasing.

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ILPS 9127  A // 1 / B // 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint+)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original inner is Near Mint-

Now here's a rare thing!  'Peace - A beginning' plays beautifully with no intrusion on the audio aside from one light static tick right at the end.  The clarity is amazing for such a quiet opening track and easily grades as Mint- the playback is superb!

'Pictures Of A City' also plays to a standard that defies its age.  The definition of the audio is 'as new' right through the opening section and even the long quieter section has a clarity that is second to none.  There is just the one static tick - there is no underlying static and the playback is just unbelievable!  The final section again plays with a sonic quality that you rarely find on these first pressings.  Each note can be heard with perfectly clarity and I am more than happy to grade this as Mint I have never heard better.

The acoustic intro on 'Cadence And Cascade' is 'as new' and by that I mean there is literally no 'background' at all.  As the vocal begins the standard is maintained with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks that do not need a mention really!  It continues to play with sublime clarity that just leaves you shaking your head in amazement!  As I said above this record has hardly been played and that has now been confirmed by what I have listened to so far.  This quiet track plays to the highest standard possible from start to finish.  This has to aesthetic 'clean' quality of a CD but without of course the warmth and depth that vinyl brings.  Mint in every sense of the word :-)

The intro on 'In The Wake Of Poseidon' more than maintains the preceding standard and the opening two verses also play with perfectly with not one iota of interference.  As this classic progresses there is no decrease in quality and I cannot overstate how incredible this audio is!  You can shut your eyes and imagine being back in 1970...if you want to!  The clarity is sensational, 'shop fresh' you could say.  The mid instrumental is delicate and powerful in equal measure and qualifies as Mint and the final verse does not disappoint either.  There is no inner groove distortion as you approach the end which is impressive when you consider how powerfully this section plays.  Again I am confident in grading this as Mint it could not play with any greater distinction.

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The instrumental 'Peace - A Theme' plays beautifully and the only 'background' is one click at the end of the final note so shouldn't be downgraded perhaps but will grade as Near Mint+ just to be safe!  The clarity throughout is immaculate and it's rare for the opening grooves on any vinyl to play this clearly let alone one that is 50 years old!  Plus a mega quiet track also!

'Cat Food' is outstanding from the first note to the last.  Every section plays impeccably - there is impressive clarity and then clarity like this!  There is no 'background' not even a dust tick and Mint is again an easy grade to give.

Now you would think if there was to be any interference it would be on quiet build up during 'Merday Morn' the first percussive section on 'The Devil's Triangle'.  You would be wrong!  Well almost!  The intro is stunning with only a couple of light ticks and it continues to play with wonderful clarity.  The vast majority of this section is 'as new' and with only one light click after three minutes this is as close to perfect audio that you will find.  The next section of this instrumental is equally as good with no interference and as it builds there is just no distortion on the top end.  Absolutely STUNNING in every way!  The quiet section into the final 'piece' has no intrusion and thereafter plays with great quality and....no interference.  You can't help but be repetitive when grading audio of this quality!  To the end it plays in immaculate style and Mint- more than does it justice.

'Peace - An End' brings this stunning album to a close with, you guessed it, no obvious 'background' just a couple of minor ticks that you would on a new vinyl as well as one from 1970!  A sublime, practically perfect Mint- acoustic number to end this time warp classic.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album plays to a near perfect standard and I am sure many would say perfect.  I have never heard a first pressing play with such clarity and definition.  The sonic quality is just everything you would wish for on such a collectable album and as my regular customers know I do not exaggerate my gradings.  I just write what I hear and this is without question one of the most spectacular albums from this era I have ever heard.  It's so rare to find such clarity on a 50 year old record.  Wow what sound!!  You can find lightly played records of this age but they have to have been preserved well to maintain their original audio quality and this one has been preserved BEAUTIFULLY!  A stunning vinyl in every way, a very rare find indeed

  The vinyl is in fantastic condition and retains a stunning jet-black pristine finish.  There are no marks or scratches and I cannot detect any hairlines either.  It has an amazing 'as new' look which is so rare for a record of this advanced age.  You would think it was brand new that is how good the visual (and audio!) quality is!  There is hardly any spindle wear and the run out grooves are also in perfect condition.  What a stunning album!

The Gatefold

The E.J Day textured gatefold is in great order and really it is only the top and bottom edges that have any shelf wear.  They do have some rubbing but it certainly hasn't caused any damage to the cover.  The wide spine is in excellent order with only one obvious 'ding' near the top and a little wear on the corners, it remains 100% legible.  The other corners have only very minimal wear and the opening edge, as you expect, has very little handling wear.  The front cover is exceptionally clean and has no marking and the back cover is the same, they are both stunning.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and overall this is an excellent example of this cover.

The Labels

The pink 'i' labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and they also retained their original colour extremely well.  There is only very minimal spindle wear.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'plastic bags...' inner dated 0470 is in superb shape with no side splits or marking, it has only a very minimal amount of light creasing.

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

ILPS 9127  A // 1 / B // 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!