Vinyl pressings
by Brother Jack McDuff · 1968
The Natural Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 3 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.
W4RS-5315-1A LPS-812 17098 # 1̶7̶1̶1̶4̶ [MR logo] △12319 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side A
W4RS-5316-1A LPS-812 17099 # 1̶7̶1̶1̶ 5 [MR logo] △12319-x ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout side A
17098Label side A
17099Label side B
W4RS-5315-1 LPS-812 ^^^^^< #17114 A3A side
W4RS-5316-1 LPS-812 ^^^^^< #17115 [crossed out] 17099 [stamped] A2B side
W4RS-5315-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K LPS-812 I #17114 A3Side A runout
W4RS-5316-1D STM-3823-1 #17099 LPS-812 I SIDE 2 PSide B runout
#17098Side A label (set 1)
#17099Side B label (set 1)
W4RS-5315-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K LPS-812 #17114 A3A side
W4RS-5316-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K LPS-812 I #17115B side
W4RS-5315 #17114A side label
W4RS-5316 # 17115B side label
W4RS-5315Side A label
#17114Side A label
W4RS-5316Side B label
#17115Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Germany | Chess 275 010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Chess 275 010First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Chess MAR S-3253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Cadet LPS 812First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Cadet LPS-812DJ / Cadet LPS 812First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Cadet LPS 812First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Cadet LPS 812 / Cadet LPS-812First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Cadet LPS 812 / Cadet LPS-812First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | US | Cadet CA 812 / Cadet LPS 812LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cadet LPS 812 / Cadet CA 812LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of The Natural Thing are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Cadet LPS 812.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS 812, LPS-812DJ, 275 010, MAR S-3253) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W4RS-5315-1A LPS-812 17098 # 1̶7̶1̶1̶4̶ [MR logo] △12319 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and W4RS-5316-1A LPS-812 17099 # 1̶7̶1̶1̶ 5 [MR logo] △12319-x ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K. 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.
