Vinyl pressings
by Argent · 1975
Counterpoints was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
RS-1020-A-IT Jonz A|A WRunout A-side, etching, variant 1
TRIDENT RS-1020-B-IT A|A WRunout B-side, etching, variant 1
RS-1020-A-IE A/C WRunout A-side, etching, variant 2
W RS-1020-B-IE A/FRunout B-side, etching, variant 2
RS-1020-A-IE A/I 'W'Runout A-side
RS-1020-B-IE 'W' A/GRunout B-side
RS 1020 ALabel A-side
RS 1020 BLabel B-side
RS 1020 A A1A 2 WILBURRunout A-side, etching
RS 1020 B A1A 1Runout B-side, etching
EKAY 30840 1S 1A 2 P A 2Runout area side A, variant 1
EKAY 30841 1S 1A 2 P A 1Runout area side B, variant 1
EKAY 30840 EKAY 30840 1S 1A 3 ΡΔ 8ΕRunout side A, variant 2
EKAY 30841 1S 1A I ΡΔ 13ERunout side B, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA560-GFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor LPL1-5108 / RCA Victor 26.21585First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | RCA TPL1 7068 / RCA Victor TPL1 7068First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Italy | RCA TPL1 7068 / RCA Victor TPL1 7068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Victor LPL1-5108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RS 1020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | RCA Victor RS 1020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA560LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Spain | RCA Victor SPL1-9326LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-LA560-GLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Counterpoints are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor RS 1020, released October 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 1020, LPL1-5108, UA-LA560-G, TPL1 7068) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-1020-A-IT Jonz A|A W and TRIDENT RS-1020-B-IT A|A W. 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.
