Vinyl pressings
by Bessie Smith · 1971
The Empress 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.
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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.
o P AL 30819-1B ᴘ⸪ Ƨ A 4Side A runout, stamped ["Ƨ" & "4" are etched]
o P AL 30820-1A ᴘ∷ S A S4Side B runout, stamped ["S" & "S4" are etched]
o P BL 30819 -1A S ᴘ⸪ Ƨ A S6Side C runout, stamped ["Ƨ" & "S6" are etched]
o P BL 30819-1A ᴘ∷ S B 6Side D runout, stamped ["S" & "6" are etched]
P P AL 30819-1FSide A runout stamped, variant 1
AL 30820-1F oSide B runout stamped, variant 1
BL 30820-1JSide C runout stamped, variant 1
P P BL 30819-1F VSide D runout stamped, variant 1
64491-A1 66264-A1 A 5
64491-B1 66264-B1 A 1
64492-A1 66264-C1 A 2
64492-B1 66264-D1 A 1
MX 215187 BZVL 082-1 RECORD ONESide 1 runout
MX 215188-C B2VL 082-4 RECORD ONeSide 4 runout
MX 215189-B BZVL089-2 record twoSide 2 runout
MX 21551 ̷6̷9̷0̷ 90 BZVL 082-3 record twoSide 3 runout
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 | Australia | Avan-Guard B2VL 082First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Brazil | CBS 225134/5First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia G 30818First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Netherlands | CBS 66264 / CBS M 66264First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | UK | CBS 66264First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30818First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Columbia CG 30818 / Columbia G 30818First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30818First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS 66264 / CBS Sugar 66264LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS 2BP 220082 / CBS BP 234038LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia G 30818LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 66264 / CBS 64491LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia G 30818LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of The Empress are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia G 30818.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 30818, CG 30818, 66264, B2VL 082) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o P AL 30819-1B ᴘ⸪ Ƨ A 4 and o P AL 30820-1A ᴘ∷ S A S4. 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.
