kentgirl22 is pleased to offer for sale the following VERY RARE original 1974 UK 1st PRESS vinyl LP:

KING CRIMSON

"STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK"

ORIGINAL 1974 UK 1st PRESS VINYL LP

CAT.NO. ILPS 9275

MATRIX NOS: ILPS 9275 A-3U (SARC) / ILPS 9275 B-3U (SEAN & RAY)

(Earliest Possible 1st Pressing Matrix Numbers)

VINYL EX+ NEAR MINT CONDITION - GATEFOLD COVER EX+ CONDITION - INNER LYRIC SLEEVE EX+

A SUPERB ORIGINAL UK 1st PRESSING OF THIS TRULY AWESOME AND TOTALLY CLASSIC LP

THIS IS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE UK 1st PRESSING ISLAND RECORDS 'PINK RIM' LABEL LP WITH 'SARC' (THE MASTER PRESSERS SIGNATURE) HAND ETCHED INTO DEAD WAX RUN OFF ON SIDE ONE AND 'SEAN & RAY' ETCHED INTO DEAD WAX RUN OFF ON SIDE TWO. THIS WAS ONLY DONE ON THE ORIGINAL VERY 1st PRESS!!

THIS ALBUM WAS PURCHASED BY ME WHEN IT WAS FIRST RELEASED AND IS IN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC CONDITION

VERY RARE ORIGINAL 1974 UK 'PINK RIM' ISLAND RECORDS 1st PRESS VINYL LP

COMPLETE WITH RARE ORIGINAL PRINTED LYRICS INNER LYRIC SLEEVE THAT ONLY CAME WITH THE VERY EARLY COPIES!!

Here’s a superb ORIGINAL UK 1st PRESS ISLAND 'PINK RIM' LABEL VINYL LP release of the TRULY GREAT 6th studio album released in 1974 by the LEGENDARY British progressive art-rock group KING CRIMSON

KING CRIMSON

STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

ISLAND ILPS 9275 (UK) 1974

original 1st UK pressing - ‘pink rim’ palm tree labels

matrix: ILPS 9275 A-3U and ILPS 9275 B-3U

mother stamper inscriptions: 1 G "SARC" and 2 GO "Sean & Ray"

original ‘parchment’ textured cover

PRINTED IN ENGLAND by ROBOR LIMITED

original inner sleeve with lyrics

RECORD IN EX+ CONDITION

plays superbly and excellently throughout

PINK RIM ISLAND LABELS IN MINT- CONDITION

immaculate 'Pink Rim' Island Palm Tree labels - barely any visible spindle traces

GATEFOLD COVER IN EX+ CONDITION

thick textured gatefold sleeve

RARE INNER SLEEVE IN EX+ CONDITION

fine paper inner lyric sleeve with glossy finish

Brilliant original 1st UK press album from one of the great groups of the late sixties and early 70's.

Starless and Bible Black is the second of the three exceptional albums King Crimson released under the Fripp/Wetton/Bruford/Cross lineup. This outstanding album is sharply divided between two different styles: quirky experimental progressive hard rock, and avant-garde improvisations/instrumentals. With the exception of three songs, this is the most minimalistic album in the band's catalogue.

"The Great Deceiver" is a heavy jazzy song, beginning frantically with fast-paced jazzy guitar and throbbing bass. Wetton's vocals add to the madness, and the chorus is excellent. "Lament" starts in a calm manner, with subdued vocals and Mellotron. Crazy percussion enters, and the song becomes quite heavy. "We'll Let You Know" is the first experimental instrumental here, with dissonant guitar/percussion and throbbing bass. Cross's violin finally gets some attention on "The Night Watch". This is a spectacular song that features some of Wetton's best vocals. Fripp's characteristic guitar style is quite emotional here. "Trio" is quite minimalistic, similar to "Moonchild" in many ways. The atmosphere is excellent. "The Mincer" focuses on eerie Mellotron, repetitive percussion, and crazy guitar tones. The brief vocal segment at the end adds to the almost spooky atmosphere of this piece. About half of the excellent title track is occupied by ambient guitar soloing, and the rhythm section picks up the pace during the section half. "Fracture" is one of the greatest King Crimson instrumentals. The greatest thing about this song is the way it builds: subtle tones and textures turn into an intense crescendo-laden climax. This conclusion is one of my favourite moments from the band.

This is yet another esteemed album from a band during one of their creative peaks. However, Starless and Bible Black is one of King Crimson's least accessible records; it has a steep learning curve, if you will. The more abstract tracks can sound a little bit like mere feedback to the unaccustomed ear. Although the compositional ingenuity present on Larks' Tongues and Red isn't quite as present here, I would still call this album essential, particularly to fans of experimental and minimalistic rock.

Forget all the rock scene before and salute the greatest band of the early 1970s, without any doubt. Overall, this is one of the most satisfying and intense listens King Crimson ever released, true art in music, and comes to you very highly recommended indeed!!

The thick textured gatefold sleeve is in Excellent + condition, has a few mottled brown age spots on the front and back, otherwise the cover is superbly clean and solid with no splits, no writing or any other serious issues. The vinyl is a strong EX+ near Mint- condition, only been played 4 or 5 times by myself from new!! The vinyl plays beautifully with fantastic fidelity and is very silent even during the quiet sections. The very rarely seen original printed inner sleeve, featuring lyrics to three of the songs, is also in excellent + condition, no splits, no writing, no tears, only a few very light mild creases. The original Pink Rim labels are immaculate with no visible spindle marks. A Beautiful copy for your collection! Good Luck! Thanks for viewing my auction!

UK ISLAND RECORDS 'PINK RIM' LABEL ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSING VINYL LP FROM 1974. ORIGINAL MATT TEXTURED GATEFOLD SLEEVE 'PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY ROBOR LIMITED'. ORIGINAL 1ST PRESS PRINTED INNER LYRICS SLEEVE. OVERALL A SUPERB CONDITION ORIGINAL FIRST UK PRESSING!!

I DOUBT IF YOU CAN FIND A SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER COMPLETE ORIGINAL COPY THAN THIS!!

1974 ORIGINAL UK ISLAND 'PINK RIM' LABEL ILPS 9275 STEREO. A-3U (SARC) / B-3U (Sean & Ray) STAMPED 1ST PRESS MATRIX

 A BRILLIANT ORIGINAL EXAMPLE OF THIS HIGHLY PRIZED KING CRIMSON LP

ORIGINAL UK 1ST PRESS ISLAND 'PINK RIM' LABEL + 1ST PRESS INNER SLEEVE WITH PRINTED SONG LYRICS!

A TRULY FANTASTIC LP - YOU NEED THIS ONE!!

Tracks

Side 1.

1. The Great Deceiver (4:02)
2. Lament (4:00)
3. We'll Let You Know (3:46)
4. The Night Watch (4:37)
5. Trio (5:41)
6. The Mincer (4:10)

Side 2.

1. Starless and Bible Black (9:11)
2. Fracture (11:14)

Rare Original 1974 UK Island Records 'PINK RIM' LABEL 1st Pressing Vinyl LP Housed In Matt Textured Gatefold Sleeve

Comes Complete With The Rarely Seen Original Inner Sleeve Featuring Printed Song Lyrics!

Record Label: Island Records

Catalogue No: ILPS 9275

Matrix Nos:

Side One: ILPS 9275 A-3U (SARC) Hand Etched Into Dead Wax And Only Seen On The Original 1st Press!!

Side Two: ILPS 9275 B-3U (Sean & Ray) Hand Etched Into Dead Wax And Only Seen On Original 1st Press!!

(Signifies original UK very first pressing)

Mother Stampers:

side 1. "1 G" (VERY EARLY!!)

side 2. "2 GO" (VERY EARLY!!) 

Year: 1974

Made In UK

CONDITION

Vinyl: EX+

The Vinyl Is In Exceptional Condition - Plays Excellently Throughout - Probably The Best You Can Find!!

(Beautiful gleaming vinyl surfaces which retains all their original deep mirror shine and lustre. Only a few faint wispy hairlines, some near invisible faint marks, and one removal from the inner sleeve paper type scuff on side two can be seen under a strong light. Play tested today with excellent sound quality throughout. Very sharp and clear sound, only some occasional touches of light audible crackle can be heard in a couple of quiet sections and in between tracks. No skips, no jumps, no sticking, no serious loud pops that are noticeable. This 1974 UK Island 'Pink Rim' first pressing still retains its full gloss and sheen and judging by the labels it has been looked after and cared for extremely well. A great original UK 1st pressing of this superb and increasingly rare LP. I seriously doubt if you can find a significantly better condition original copy than this one!)

Labels: MINT-

THE PINK RIM ISLAND PALM TREE LABELS ARE IN MAGNIFICENT CONDITION. ALL COLOURS ARE RICH AND VIBRANT AND THE WHITE AREAS ARE STILL PURE WHITE. NO MARKS OR STAINS AT ALL ON A ANY PART OF THE LABEL.

(Original first pressing Island Palm Tree 'PINK RIM' labels are in MINT- condition.... Both labels are absolutely immaculate and unmarked with only 2 or 3 faint almost invisible faint spindle traces and barely any wear around the centre holes. A near perfect set of 'PINK RIM' labels)

Gatefold Sleeve: EX+

(Original thick fully textured gatefold cover 'Printed In England By ROBOR Limited'. This is the early original  1st press textured cover with thicker spine that is in great condition with sharp clear titling. These original covers are so hard to find and to keep in tip top condition. This unique textured gatefold sleeve is in excellent plus condition. It is very clean with only some very light marks and a few small brown mottled age spots. On the back there are a couple of light creases and tiny scuffs on the lower corner near the open out edge. There are No tears, No writing, No rips. Barely any shelfwear to speak of. The spine is very solid and straight with all text completely clear and fully legible. A superb example of this 37 years vintage cover and I'm sure one of the best you can find! Please see pics)

Printed Inner Sleeve: EX+

(This very RARE inner sleeve has only a few mild light creases and one tiny brown mark (been there from new). No writing, No tears, No splits, No rips, No stickers. A beautiful example of this RARELY SEEN original 1st PRESS inner sleeve with printed SONG LYRICS!!)

NOTES

KING CRIMSON 

"STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK"

ISLAND RECORDS

ILPS 9275

A-3U (SARC)/B-3U (SEAN & RAY)

Absolute Earliest 1st Pressing Matrices

Ultra Rare Original 1974 UK Island Records 'Pink Rim' Label 1st Press LP Housed In Matt Textured Gatefold Sleeve 'Printed In England By ROBOR Limited'......

And Comes Complete With The Very Rarely Seen Original Inner Lyric Sleeve!!

Line Up / Musicians:

David Cross: Violin, Viola, Keyboards
Robert Fripp: Guitar, Mellotron,, Devices
John Wetton: Bass, Vocals
William Bruford: Percussives

On offer here, from my own collection, is this very rare original 1974 UK Island Records 1st PRESS LP

On the original 1st pressing UK Island 'PINK RIM' labels

Housed in original textured gatefold cover 'Printed in England by ROBOR Limited'

Complete with original 1st PRESS INNER-SLEEVE with PRINTED SONG LYRICS

Catalogue Number: ILPS 9275

Matrix numbers: ILPS 9275 A-3U (SARC) & ILPS 9275 B-3U (SEAN & RAY)

On offer here, from my own collection, is a superb condition ORIGINAL 1974 UK 1st PRESS of the brilliant KING CRIMSON album 'STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK', issued on the UK original 1st press ISLAND 'PINK RIM' label.

KING CRIMSON ''LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC'' ORIGINAL EARLY 1ST UK PRESSING LP. CAT NO. ILPS-9275 (ORIGINAL PINK RIMED ISLAND LABEL) MEGA RARE! EARLY FIRST PRESSING! MATRIX A-3U (SARC) and B-3U (SEAN & RAY) (ONLY 1ST PRESSINGS) MOTHER STAMPERS 1 G and 2 GO VERY EARLY!! ''SARC'' (hand etched on side A. run out dead wax. This was the master pressers signature! "SEAN & RAY" (hand etched on side B. run our dead wax) (only to be seen on original very 1st pressings)!

1ST UK 1974 PINK RIM ISLAND LP 

KING CRIMSON

"STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK"

 A FIRST EDITION COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL LYRIC INNER SLEEVE!

THIS IS THE VERY FIRST ISSUE!

THICK VINYL ILPS 9275

A-3U (SARC) + B-3U (SEAN & RAY) 1ST MATRIXES.

MOST THAT TURN UP HAVE NO LYRIC INNER SLEEVE!! 

 IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXCELLENT ORIGINAL 1ST PRESSING OF THIS CLASSIC LP - THIS COULD BE THE ONE FOR YOU!  

EXCELLENT + NEAR MINT CONDITION

A COPY THAT HAS NOT HAD MUCH PLAY AND HAS BEEN WELL LOVED BY ONE CAREFUL OWNER IN 37 YEARS! 

For all its break-ups, periods of non-existence and fluctuating methodology, King Crimson remains one of the interminably compelling bands playing within the domain of rock music to this day. Widely acknowledged as being the harbingers of the art-rock genre with their monumental 1969 album "In The Court Of The Crimson King", they paved the way for innovative art-rock/progressive rock bands such as Yes, ELP etc etc. in the early '70s as well as providing a stimulus for more recent neo-progressive bands like Tool and The Mars Volta through their post-progressive work in the early '80s and '90S.

STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK is a near perfect PROG ROCK album , inded a SEMINAL MASTERPIECE!

This experimental work is still very important today for some of the bands within the so called "Zehul Music" in France and Belgium (MAGMA, SHYLOCK, ART ZOYD and so on). I would heartily recommend this album to any fan of progressive/experimental rock. I would especially point this album out to any open-minded music listener who is not yet familiar with avant-garde music;  This is a progressive rock classic of the HIGHEST ORDER and has never truly been replicated, and I don't think that it ever will be!!

If "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" was King Crimson's Dark Side of the Moon, then "Starless and Bible Black" was their Wish You Were Here. Equally as adventurous and genre-bending as Larks' Tongues, Starless just solidified Crims' new sound (if they even really did have a sound). Full of experimental percussion and pieces of live improvisation, Starless and Bible Black showed that King Crimson were a prog band in every sense of the word. This album is even more ahead of its time than Larks' Tongues in many ways that one can only hear (at least I can't find words to describe my point). There is nary a dull or simply bad song on here. But if I were to name a few of the HIGH-lights on here they would be The Great Deceiver, Lament, and the Larks' Tongues in Aspic-style Fracture.

In terms of musical performance, Bill Bruford's drumming on nearly all of the tracks is a high point on Starless. The lack of Jamie Muir on this album and Red really didn't affect his use of percussion of all sorts (wood blocks, glockenspiel, gongs, etc.). In my opinion, some of Bill's percussion lines are a bit more tasteful than Mr. Muir's. Robert Fripp also is VERY creative on here and never runs out of ideas. His riffs on The Great Deceiver and Fracture are stuck in my head. Unlike Larks' Tongues, John Wetton's complex and really melodic bass lines are higher up in the mix and actually add something to the music instead of just acting as extra places to fill in the musical holes left by Robert Fripp and David Cross. On the other hand, David Cross' presence on this album isn't nearly as noticeable as it was on Larks' Tongues but it still adds somewhat to the off-kilter combination of sounds present in this era of King Crimson. Starless is certainly one of my favourite of the 70's King Crmson studio albums; this is such a varied and yet cohesive collection - a raucous, caustic opener immediately followed by the reflective (and eventually even harder-rocking) Lament..."The Night Watch" is a perfectly composed anglo-tinted gem, from the heartbreaking opening swell to the melancholy narrative; the quiet, simple beauty of "Trio", the creeping menace of "The Mincer"...but the opus is in the extended tracks on the second half. "Starless" and "Fracture" are similar in tone and direction, penultimate examples of the mid-period KC sound: heavy, seemingly improvisational but with perfect flow and balance...emotionally cathartic, this is one of the truly essential 70's Progressive rock albums.

Very highly recommended and without doubt one of KING CRIMSON'S very FINEST albums and is indeed one of the BEST progressive rock albums EVER released by ANYONE, ANYWHERE!!

This VERY RARE 100% ORIGINAL UK ISLAND 1st PRESS LP is becoming increasingly hard to find these days, especially in such SUPERB CONDITION!

This RARE ORIGINAL UK 1ST PRESS album is a 'MUST HAVE' for KING CRIMSON fans, UK 70's PROG ROCK and ISLAND label collectors alike.

 The record is pressed on THICK quality vinyl. The Cat.No. is ILPS 9275 on the ORIGINAL 1st PRESS ISLAND 'PINK RIM' label (see picture) and is a 1974 UK Stereo 1st Pressing.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY TO FIND ONE IN SUCH FANTASTIC CONDITION AS THIS. VERY, VERY RARE.

I very much doubt if you can find a significantly better condition complete original UK 1st pressing of this absolutely awesome King Crimson LP!!

 Low Start....No Reserve....Don't Miss Out!!

Please take a look at my other KING CRIMSON original UK 1st PRESS LPs listed this week

POST & PACKING:

UK: 1st Class: £4.00 (Recorded Delivery) each additional LP will cost £1.50
EUROPE: Airmail: £5.00 or £10.00 (International Signed For Delivery) each additional LP will cost £2.50 
INTERNATIONAL / REST OF WORLD: Airmail: £8.00 or £13.00 (International Signed For Delivery) each additional LP will cost £3.00

***Any record (or combination of records) which sells for more than £20 MUST be sent by a trackable method ie INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR outside of the UK. This is compulsory. Please do not bid above £20 on this item if you are not prepared to pay for this secure shipping service. I will email you when payment has been received to let you know when the item will be posted. Please leave feedback upon receipt of the item so that I know you have received it safely. Any problems please email me. Thanks.

ALL RECORDS ARE VERY WELL PACKAGED WITH THE VINYL OUTSIDE OF THE SLEEVE TO PREVENT ANY 'KNIFING' DURING TRANSIT. A PROTECTIVE POLY SLEEVE, CRUCIFORM (NOT ENVELOPE) MAILER AND STIFFENERS ARE ALWAYS USED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RECORD ARRIVES SAFELY.

Note: The pictures provided are REAL images of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. What you see is what you'll get!

Records / CDs Are Graded In The Following Way:

MINT (M): The record / cd displays barely any signs of use, if any, with no marks or deterioration in sound quality. Extra items and cover are near perfect.

EXCELLENT (EX): Shows only minor signs of being played with very little lessening in sound quality. The Cover and extras will have some light wear and or creasing

VERY GOOD (VG): Has been played many times but has no major deterioration in sound quality, despite some noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratches. Cover and extras will have normal wear and tear but no major defects

GOOD (G): Has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and any extras may suffer from folding, scuffing, split spine, discoloration etc.

FAIR (F): The record is still just playable and has considerable surface noise and may even jump. Cover and contents will be torn stained and/or defaced.

POOR (P): The record will not play properly. Covers badly damaged or partly missing

+ or - : Indicates slightly better (+) or slightly lesser (-) condition than main grade

All records / cd's are from my personal collection and have been carefully play graded before listing. In many cases I have owned them from new and all have been looked after very well. Please check out my other similar items currently listed on eBay.

Auction Conditions - Important : Please read before bidding

UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• Cheques
• Postal Orders
• PAYPAL

Non-UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• PAYPAL

All payment to be made within 7 days of end of auction.

At the end of the auction I will send you an invoice confirming your winning bid(s) with the total amount payable. Do not send any payment until you have received this invoice.

Paypal To: kentgirl22@gmail.com

Packaging Notes:

All records are securely and well packed to avoid any unnecessary damage during transit. I aim to dispatch all items within 48 hours of receiving payment. I always obtain a certificate proof of posting receipt for every item sent, which will complete our transaction. Thank you for taking the time to look at my listings, I hope you will be lucky if deciding to make a bid.