Sold Date: August 30, 2020
Start Date: August 29, 2020
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 6330
Buyer Feedback: 9

IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING - AN OBSERVATION BY KING CRIMSON

Vinyl grading - VG+

Sleeve grading - Good, see details below.

Various pictures uploaded, sleeve close ups, front and rear, disc - apologies for any tripod reflection - and a view of the label details. The pictures are part of the description, too, look them over...

'King Crimson's definitive album, and one of the most daring debut albums ever released. At the time, it blew all of the progressive/psychedelic competition (the Moody Blues, the Nice etc.) out of the running, although it was almost too good for the band's own good - it took them nearly four years to come up with a record as strong or concise. Ian McDonald's Mellotron is the dominant instrument, along with his saxes and Robert Fripp's guitar, making this a somewhat different-sounding record from everything else they ever did. And even though that Mellotron sound may appear muted and toned down compared to their concert work of the era, it is still fierce and overpowering, on an album highlighted by strong songwriting (most of it filled with dark and doom-laden visions), the strongest singing of Greg Lake's entire career, and Fripp's guitar playing that managed to mix elegant classical, Hendrix-like rock explosions, and jazz noodling. Lineup changes commenced immediately upon the album's release, leaving it to stand alone as a remarkable milestone in Rock history...'

Released on - Atlantic

Catalog number - SD 8245

US issue.

Produced by - King Crimson.

Duration -  47 minutes.

Matrix numbers -

Side One - ST A 691699 C

Side Two - ST A 591700 C

Please read the record grading guide below and familiarize yourself with the grades used. Goldmine standards adhered to, plus full description in all aspects.

I strive to grade fairly, and have never sold a record without listening to it first.

Visual grading is not an option at all.

This approx. 50 year old LP I have graded as being in VG+ condition. Both sides play through with no jumping, skipping or any other audio horrors. 

There are the usual minor hairline surface marks that any disc of this vintage would accumulate over the passage of time, some visible, and there is minimal isolated, low-level and generally non-intrusive surface noise common to any used vinyl of this vintage and grading.

The gatefold sleeve I have graded being in Good condition with an 8.5" seam split along one bottom edge (see close-up picture) plus the usual light scuffing to the edges, minor bumps to the corners, light shelfwear to front and rear, as per age and vintage.

The labels are in good condition, there is a small ink notation on Side Two, but with no major defects, see close-up pictures uploaded.

The inner liner is plain.

Tracklisting -

See pictures uploaded, track titles and details shown.

Any questions, email and I'll help if I can.

Thanks for looking!

:o)

Buy-it-Now, $19.99

Postage - USA - Free Shipping...nice!

Overseas orders welcome - $24, wherever.

* Records are posted in dedicated record mailing boxes with 2 corrugated cardboard stiffeners.

GRADING GUIDE. (Goldmine Standard)

* Gradings range between - for example - VG, VG+ and VG++. In some cases, for example again, VG- may be used.

MINT (M) Absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, and if it is not just out of the pressing plant it is unlikely that, personally, I would ever use this grading.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-) A good description of a NM record is it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect. NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any 'spindle marks' from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects will be absent. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or EXCELLENT (E) A good description of a VG+ record is except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint. VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. VG++ is a step up from VG+ generally.

VERY GOOD (VG) Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. VG records lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible. Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape. VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won?t be obvious upon looking. A small pen or ink mark, or an original price sticker may be noticeable.

GOOD (G), GOOD PLUS (G+) or VERY GOOD MINUS (VG?) Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious surface damage to the label. A Good to VG cover has ring wear, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing.

POOR (P) and FAIR (F) Records that have obvious damage, they are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them.