Vinyl pressings
by Ann Peebles · 1971
I Pity The Fool 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.
11 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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.
HI - 2628 -1 M HC IIIIIII┴Side A runout etched
HI- 2629 -1 M HC IIIIIII┴Side B runout etched
HI 2628Side A label
HI 2629Side B label
HI 2628Label A
HI 2629Label 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 | Italy | London Records HLU 10328First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | Hi Records HI 2186First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Hi Records 45-2186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Hi Records HI. 2186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Hi Records HI 2186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Hi Records HI 2186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Hi Records HI 2186First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | UK | London Records HLU 10328First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | London Records HLU 10328First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | London Records HLU 10328First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | London Records HLU 10328 / London American Recordings HLU 10328First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of I Pity The Fool are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Italy. One of them is Hi Records HI 2186, released February 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HI 2186, 45-2186, HLU 10328, HI. 2186) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HI - 2628 -1 M HC IIIIIII┴ and HI- 2629 -1 M HC IIIIIII┴. 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.
