Vinyl pressings
by Bo Diddley · 1970
The Black Gladiator was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, 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.
T | LPS 18468-1 S-1GR STM-4403-5Runout side A
T | LPS 18469-1 S-2GR A STM-4404-5Runout side B
# 18468Label side A
# 18469Label side B
T | STM-4403-2 18468 - 1 LPS-3013 Side 1 [symbol] ∧Runout side A
STM-4404-2 T | 18469 - 1 LPS-3013 Side 2 [symbol] ∧Runout side B
# 18468Label side A
# 18469Label side B
STM-4404-3 18468 T LPS-3013 MR Side 1 [symbol] △14810Runout side A
STM-4404-3 18469 T LPS-3013 MR Side 2 △14810-X [symbol]Runout side B
18468Label side A
18469Label side B
STM-4403-4 18468 1 - 1 LPS-3013 Side 1 GS PHRunout side A etched
STM-4404-4 18469 1 - 1 LPS-3013 Side 2 GS PHRunout side B etched
18468Label side A
18469Label side B
T1 LPS 18468 -1 S-1 GR A6 STM-4403-5Runout side A
T1 LPS 18469 -1 S-2 GR A STM-4404 -5Runout side B
# 18468Label side A
# 18469Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Chess CHLS 270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS3013 / Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS3013 / Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS3013 / Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS3013 / Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Checker LPS3013 / Checker LPS-3013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Chess CH 50 004 / Chess CH 500004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Checker MSM-37188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Checker MSM-37188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Black Gladiator are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia. One of them is Checker LPS3013, released January 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS3013, LPS-3013, CHLS 270) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T | LPS 18468-1 S-1GR STM-4403-5 and T | LPS 18469-1 S-2GR A STM-4404-5. 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.
