KING CRIMSON - RED

An exquisite "hard to fault" 1st press copy of this King Crimson prog classic

Year/Label : 1974 UK ISLAND Label number : ILPS 9308 Matrix numbers :  ILPS 9308 - A, ILPS 9308 - B with "Sean" etched onto side 1 runout and "Pecko" on side 2 Stampers :  1 R / 1 GG
Excellent plus (EX+) condition vinyl - bordering on "near mint", for which I am sure many would grade as - completely flat, weighty and retaining a wonderful jet black lacquered sheen. With very close inspection under a bright light it is just possible to detect the very occasional and extremely faint, small paper scuff...nothing really. The labels are near perfect with the only blemish being a few small and equally faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each. Clearly, this is a record that has been only very sparingly played.   Excellent plus (EX+) condition Robor Limited fully laminated outer sleeve with firm unscuffed edges (not even the occasional tiny "nick"), pristine, firm spine with 1st press "pinched" ends and all spine text remaining perfectly intact, near perfect right angled corners with no compression and barely any rubbing at all, firm opening edges with no fraying, and all art work, colours, and text remaining crisp, vibrant, and with perfect definition. All of the laminate remains impressively in place and intact with no laminate lifting or obvious creasing at all - remarkable! The only blemishes (far too strong a word) are x3 very, very faint 1cm surface laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on the front side and just the merest hint  of some very, very minor ring wear on the reverse side towards the spine edge (you will have to tilt the sleeve to the right angle in a good light to spot it).   Superb near mint (NM) stereo sound quality with no sticks, skips, repeats, clicks, distortion or background crackle. Wonderful tone and crystal clear reproduction throughout. Every track is timeless and remains a great listen - this is prog at it's very best and surely this album along with "Larks Tongues In Aspic" is Crimso's finest hour. Wonderful!   Comes with original Island light blue poly-lined inner sleeve with correct pink "i" logo and "st peters square" text at the bottom of each side, no side splits, no edge fraying, no tears, barely any creasing, and just a couple of very small areas of very faint discolouration - brilliant! Note that I always ship the vinyl in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.    A brilliant UK 1st press copy of this 1974 King Crimson gem - an essential addition to any serious prog vinyl collection!
POSTAGE COSTS :  

For the UK £4 using Royal Mail tracked 48; 

for continental Europe £12 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for, 

and for the rest of the world £18 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for. 

I do provide posting and packaging discounts for multiple purchases. I make no profit from postage.

Note that I always insert the vinyl into a new plain white poly-lined inner sleeve in order to protect the original during postage, and separate this from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits. I use thick cardboard stiffeners and take great care in my packaging to ensure as far as possible that these precious records reach their destination in exactly the same condition as when they leave me.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 54 years from a variety of sources : my own collection, friends and family, car boot and garage sales, door-to-door leaflets, and even through placing an advert in my wife's shop window! My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I will sort out the problem. I offer a "no questions asked" refund policy. If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. There is NO RESERVE on this item. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines.