Vinyl pressings
by Air · 1971
Air was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
STEM 712129RIRunout Side A
STEM 712130RIRunout Side B
ST-EM-712129D-RE AT/SP 3•23•71 △15888Runout Side A
ST-EM-712130C 3•9•71 AT/SP △15834Runout Side B
ST-EM-712129D-RE AT/GP 3-23-71 △15888Side A etched
ST-EM-712130C 3-9-71 AT/GP △15834Side B etched
(ST-EM 712129-MO)Label Side A
(ST-EM 712130-MO)Label Side B
[SRC logo] ST-EM-712129C at-GP 3-5-71Runout Side A
ST-EM-712130C 3.9.71 AT/9PRunout Side B
ST - EM 712129C at 9p 13.5.71Runout Side A, Var. 1
ST-EM - 712130C3.9.71 AT/9PRunout Side B, Var. 1
[SRC logo] ST-EM-712129C at-GP 3-5-71Runout Side A, Var. 2
ST-EM-712130#A [SRC logo] AT-GP PRRunout Side B, Var. 2
EM-13593-A AT DK W SRC (stamped)
EM-13594-A AT W DK
ST - EM 712129D-RE AT 9P 3.23.71 15888Runout Side A
ST-EM - 712130C 3.9.71 AT/9P 15834Runout Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Turkey | Atlantic SD 733 / Atlantic 329First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | UK | Atlantic 2400 148First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733 / Embryo Records SD733First yearLP, Promo, Album · Promo | LP, Promo, Album · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records 733First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733 / Embryo Records SD733First yearLP, Promo, Album · Promo | LP, Promo, Album · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Embryo Records SD 733First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN SD 733LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Be With Records BEWITH 015 LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | UK | Be With Records BEWITH015LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
12 vinyl pressings of Air are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1971 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Turkey. One of them is Embryo Records SD 733.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 733, 733, 2400 148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STEM 712129RI and STEM 712130RI. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
