Vinyl pressings
by Bobby Womack · 1972
Understanding was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
UAS-5577-A(2) 4Side A etched, variant 1
UAS-5577-B 3Side B etched, variant 1
UAS-5577-A(2) 4Side A etched, variant 2, an x or t appears after 4
UAS-5577-B 1Side B etched, variant 2, an x or t appears after 1
UAS 5577-A-1 T VRunout A
UAS 5577-B-1 TRunout B
UAS 5577-A 66Runout A
UAS 5577-B 66Runout B
UAS-5577-A TGSide A runout
UAS-5577-B TGSide B runout
UAS - 5577 - A
UAS - 5577 - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS 5577First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | United Artists Records UAS 29365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | United Artists Records UAS 29 365 IFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | United Artists Records UAS 29365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Liberty LLP-80622First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Liberty LLP-80622First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1972 | UK | United Artists Records UAS 29365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS-5577First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS-5577First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Bobby Womack, Artists Ltd JA-5577LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Venezuela | United Artists Records UAS-5577First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS-5577First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | United Artists Records SUA 5577LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | United Artists Records S-UA 20140 / United Artists Records S-UA * 20140LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | United Artists Records LM-1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 5577 / Unlimited Artists UA-5577LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
16 vinyl pressings of Understanding are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAS-5577, released June 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAS-5577, UAS 29365, UAS 5577, UAS 29 365 I) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAS-5577-A(2) 4 and UAS-5577-B 3. 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.
