KING CRIMSON In The Court… SCARCE UK 1971 PYE CONTRACT ISLAND EX+ LP SUPER SOUND

	£		51
	$		68

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Artist or Band: KING CRIMSON

Album Title: In the Court of the Crimson King

Producer(s): King Crimson

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: 21st Century Schizoid Man (including Mirrors); I Talk to the Wind; Epitaph (including a: March for No Reason and b: Tomorrow and Tomorrow).

Side 2: Moonchild (including a: The Dream and b: The Illusion); The Court of the Crimson King (including a: The Return of the Fire Witch and b: The Dance of the Puppets).

Label/Format/Info & Rarity: Island, with the rarer matt, heavily textured pink rim format. This a much heavier contract pressing by Pye. An elusive early variant that was pressed in relatively small numbers. This was a one-off pressing by this company. Philips and EMI pressings of this album are relatively common, even the first pink i issue – this album sold well. This particular, and far more elusive pressing, to my ears has more detail and clarity than others. The Mellotron on the title song that kicks in after the quiet flute passage then drums, seems more forward in the mix, clearer and pronounced. You can hear the eerie keyboard synthesiser more clearly and a little lounder. Combine that with a copy appearing little played and offering very impressive clean sound – even on the impossibly difficult ‘Moonchild’, that plays as well as I have heard in ages. The deeply coloured artwork cover also in beautiful condition as-seen. A massively difficult album, and one of the greatest, classic pioneering prog-rock albums of all-time, this largely invented the British progressive rock scene. Do not under-estimate the rarity and significance of this pressing that is seldom seen of offered, and this one of the cleanest pressings you could wish to hear.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with any spindle marks few, fine and faint with no wear around the hole area. Any traces of handling minimal. Note that very deep inner ring ridge and the detail on the beautifully textured deeply coloured surfaces.

Catalogue Number: ILPS 9111

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 154 grams. A heavyweight pressing, way heavier than the EMI and Philips pressings. Pye pressings can be variable, but this one plays superbly with ultimate dynamics and detail stored within these deep grooves.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: The album’s rarity is arguably over-blown, even first issues are not that hard to find. Condition is the main factor for any copy. This is a massively complex album with the information and varying volume of the music easily damaged by vintage heavy-tracking record players – often trashed by worn, often thick mono stylus. It is ruthlessly unforgiving, thus many have unlistenable levels of surface noise, groove wear, pops and clicks. Loss of clarity is common, even on copies that appear clean. This heavyweight Pye pressing looks hardly used, the sound fully intact and has amongst the least contact or surface sound I have ever heard. Yes, a copy that can be played and enjoyed to very near maximum. For the more sensitive listener who own higher-end hi-fi systems, this particular pressing carries more detail and openness from the deep wide grooves. Avoiding the odd sporadic tick or crackle trace on the very quiet passages – which just so happens to be almost the entirety of ‘Moonchild’ – is nigh-on impossible. But this has hardly anything with no repetitive clicks, distortion or pressing noises. You will be aware it’s a vinyl record being played of course, the odd polite reminder of the fact is almost the very least to be expected, but few, whatever pressing it is, will better this. A joy to play-grade for all. As stated, the sound on this pressing seems more forward and detailed – not all copies of this record are the same – fact. Not only do the heavily textured labels look gorgeous, this is a unique pressing variant for fans and serious collectors. The groundbreaking cover, this one manufactured by Robor, has very little wear with just rubbing mainly to the bottom back edge on the very right end, the main surfaces are fantastic as-seen. A pressing not mass-produced like virtually all others and the difference is almost immediately apparent. This is no ordinary copy and rarer than virtually all others.

Original Year of Release: 1969. This Pye heavyweight textured label variant from 1970.

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9111 + A3 / ILPS 9111 + B3 [these machine punched and distinctively different from the other manufacturer’s style].

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘PORKY’ / ‘PECKO’ [these quality credits also rarely seen on both sides of the run-out grooves]

Musicians: Robert Fripp – electric and acoustic guitars, production; Michael Giles – drums, percussion, backing vocals; Greg Lake – lead vocals, bass guitar; Ian McDonald – woodwinds (saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet), keyboards (Mellotron, harpsichord, piano, organ), vibraphone, backing vocals; Peter Sinfield – lyrics.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Subtitled: ‘an Observation by King Crimson’, this was arguably the birth of British progressive rock and rarely, if ever, was this pioneering album ever matched or bettered. With it’s very famous cover, a statement of intent was made the very day it was first seen. Issued back in 1969, this actually charted at 5 in the UK and it’s rarity on the pink label is so often exaggerated. An album of musical brilliance, nothing had been heard quite like this before, especially from band members few had even heard of. The cover design and artwork was quite radical and visually stunning, it can hardly go unnoticed. It was designed and created by Barry Godber. A somewhat sad story: it was his only record cover, as he died at the age of 24. His legacy to the world of rock, is one of the most famous and visually stunning covers of all-time. It just makes you what other amazing covers he could have produced?

The excellence of the music lay within the band personnel with highly skilled and talented musicians. Comprising of just five songs, this groundbreaking, and at times ear shattering, rock masterpiece – an album that more than justifies this word – still sounds fresh and is still eagerly searched for as ever. It has to be a contender as one of the more difficult albums to find that plays well throughout, for me, far more significant than ‘rarity’. That said, all King Crimson albums are almost equally challenging. A record I have had several times on different label variations, imperfections are rarely avoided, some had varying degrees of surface sound and sometimes even pressing flaws – these are far from unusual, especially on the pink pressings – I will only offer clean copies, and this one easily qualifies. To date, it’s up there with the cleanest pressings I have heard. I have already described what this Pye pressed pink rim record offers. The sheer drama and power of the music excels. Wailing saxophones, delicate flute – wild guitar, then soft acoustic guitar – delicate cymbal work, then crashing drums and pulsating Mellotrons – manic distorted vocals, then gentle singing – this album has it all. Superb detail and resolution offering genuine excitement with very little unwanted at all. Robert Fripp, the ultimate sound perfectionist himself would approve of this – and on a worthy system, it will leave you breathless.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): but all the main surfaces, including the spine are closer to Mint(–), this looks better than my conservative grading. An unlaminated gatefold format with matt, smooth surfaces. Printed and made in England by Robor, includes a polylined white inner sleeve (as favoured by Pye Records at this time).

Cover Front: A strong contender as the greatest rock cover of all-time – it certainly attracts attention. Wear-prone and often ruined by rubbing, creasing, fading, ring wear, grubbiness and sticker damage – this cover has largely avoided such issues. This astonishing piece of artwork looks fantastic with very little to fault, a tiny rub trace on the fold near the bottom right corner, little else at all. The colour is strong and unfaded and barely a crease or noteworthy mark seen. Take a look in close-up, this front withstands scrutiny and more than justifies the immense talent of the the late Barry Godber – one to hold and admire.

Cover Back: Again impressive and very similar again. Ring wear? – what ring wear? – this has totally avoided it, even rim impression has almost been avoided. A very small fine tip crease to the bottom left, any marks or crease traces ultra fine and faint. Finding the front or back better will prove very difficult, especially with a thick heavy record inside all these years.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Magnificent with barely anything to fault on either surface. More amazing artwork, again with lovely deep unaged colour as seen.

Top Edges: Both straight, flat and flush with no wear at all.

Bottom Edges: As above but a tiny rub on the front right end, the back has a moderate rub near the right corner, this by far the most wear on any part of this cover, and is only really seen viewed end-on.

Right Edge(s), and Type: The front has a real tucked and folded edge, this straight and barely worn at all. The back opening edges are mostly very sharp with any traces of thickening tiny and very light. These are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with barely any compression and folded square, so the edges meet up very closely together and very close to parallel. Again, the surface is unfaded, so the graphic flows around perfectly with hardly any trace of rubbing at all. Even the folds are pristine with no scuffs or dinks. All text is virtually unworn and nicely centred as-seen. A very fine central hairline crease purely from opening is near impossible to avoid.

Corners: Most rubbing, as stated, on the bottom right back corner, very little on the others. The one fine tip crease, but most retain at least excellent shape with no heavy knocks and most totally dink-free.

Cover Summary: A very strong all-round example of this unforgiving, classic cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. This beautiful item should please many, if not most collectors, especially given the state many are seen in.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: these elusive Pye-pressed versions included a plain white heavy duty polylined inner that were UK patented with ‘Foreign Patents Pending’ text. Two crisp undamaged window circles, the lining still clear. The paper lightly darkened to politely remind of age. Some natural crinkle and neat corner folds, these deliberate, often done to stop the record sliding out. All edges unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): a very fine visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and heavily pressed – few offer this substantial weight. A copy with few plays on all the evidence with any surface marks very light and faint as seen critically under bright angled light. Some wispy or fine superficial hairlines, there are no penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, hardly anything even registers. The record superbly pressed with no inherent faults or pressing noises or clarity loss. Visually a super record that should please many collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This rarer and elusive heavy Pye pressed variant plays even above it’s high visual grading with very little to fault at all, something that can often be stated on this very challenging record that offers wide extremes in volume. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality and production is immense with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed – even on ‘Moonchild’ – that is so hard to avoid totally, especially being played on very revealing equipment, this up there with the very best sound on this intricate low-volume song, and all others as well. Compared to many early copies, I consider this an exceptional clean pressing with no tracking issues* or inherent pressing rasps or faults. Few available copies will match, let alone outperform this still early pressing I feel sure. Deep grooves, ultimate detail, this a rollercoaster ride in volume and intensity, the sonic delivery of the information will prove hard to find better. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been generally well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my play-grade experience for one of rock’s most complex and demanding albums. If audio quality and excellent good looks is your prime demand, this copy should fit the bill perfectly – it was a genuine delight00.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

I am one of the most established sellers on Ebay, trading since 2001 and offering the finest records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty all elements of the items I offer for sale. You may notice I only submit records quite sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true story. I will try to mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same – just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, major warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Nessie vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera.

PACKING – THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid bid retractions. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I only accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 2 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive – if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund if the item is returned in the same condition is was sent e.g. as per the listing pictures.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.