Vinyl pressings
by Airto Moreira · 1972
Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
RVG.87676. A-1 VAN GELDERA runout etched / stamped
RVG.87676. B-1 VAN GELDERB runout etched / stamped
RVG.87676. A-2 VAN GELDERSide A, variant 2, runout etched / stamped
RVG.87676. B-2 VAN GELDERSide B, variant 2, runout etched /stamped
RVG.87676.A-4. VAN GELDER
RVG.87676.B. VAN GELDER
RVG.87676. A-1 A8 VAN GELDERSide A runout, variant 1
RVG.87676. B A5 VAN GELDERSide B runout, variant 1
RVG.87676.A-2. VAN GELDERSide A runout, variant 2
S RVG.87676.B-2.VAN GELDERSide B runout, variant 2
RVG.87676. A-1Side A runout etched
RVG.87676. BSide B runout etched
VAN GELDERSide A and Side B runouts stamped
CTI-6020-S1Side 1
CTI-6020-S2Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | One Way OW-526 / CTI Records OW-526LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6020LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | CTI Records SR-3335LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | CTI Records 41 CTI 6020LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | CTI Records AC-30.023 / Acción AC-30.023LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | CTI Records 41 CTI 6020LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6020LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | Spain | CTI Records HCTS 731-26 / Hispavox HCTS 731-26LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | CTI Records 3.42-404-009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | CTI Records CTI 8000LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | CTI Records CTI 6020 / CTI Records RVG 87676LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6020 / Speakers Corner Records CTI 6020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6020 / Speakers Corner Records CTI 6020LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6020 / CTI Records CTI - 6020LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6020 / CTI Records CTI - 6020LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6020LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Free are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is CTI Records CTI 6020.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTI 6020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG.87676. A-1 VAN GELDER and RVG.87676. B-1 VAN GELDER. 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.
