Vinyl pressings
by Argent · 1974
Encore was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
EPC S 80319 A1 88083-A 4 sf Argent-1 AA-side runout, stamped; sf and Argent-1 etched
EPC S 80319 B1 88083-B 4 sf Argent-2 AB-side runout, stamped; sf and Argent-2 etched
EPC S 80320 A1 88083-C C sf Argent-3 AC-side runout, stamped; sf and Argent-3 etched
EPC S 80320 A1 88083-D C sf Argent-4 AD-side runout, stamped; sf and Argent-4 etched
T AL-33080-1A SFRunout side A variant 1
P BL 33080-1B TRunout side B variant 1
T AL-33081-1A SFRunout side C variant 1
T BL-33081-1A SFRunout side D variant 1
o P AL-33080-1A sfSide A runout, etched, except o P stamped - variant 1
P P BL 33080-1CSide B runout, stamped - variant 1
P o P AL-33081-1BSide C runout, stamped - variant 1
P o BL-3308 -1A sfSide D runout, etched, except P o stamped - variant 1
P AL-33080-1A sf Λ 1Runout A-side
P BL-33080-1A sf Λ 2Runout B-side
P AL 33081-1C ΛRunout C-side
P BL-3308 -1A sf Λ 2Runout D-side
AL 33080Label, side A
BL 33080Label, side B
AL 33081Label, side C
BL 33081Label, side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Epic 2ELPS0012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Epic PEG 33079First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1974 | Europe | Epic EPC 88083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Epic ECPI-7/8First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Epic 2SBPC 474287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Epic EPC 88083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Epic EPC 88083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Epic PEG 33079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Epic PEG 33079First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Epic PEG 33079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Epic PEG 33079First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | Epic EPC 88083LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 88083LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Encore are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC 88083.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 88083, PEG 33079, 2ELPS0012, ECPI-7/8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC S 80319 A1 88083-A 4 sf Argent-1 A and EPC S 80319 B1 88083-B 4 sf Argent-2 A. 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.
