Vinyl pressings
by Buffy Sainte-Marie · 1969
Illuminations was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
XSV221574-3F VSD79300 ASide A runout, variant 1
XSV221575-3G VSD79300 BSide B runout, variant 1
XSV221574-3C o VSD79300 ASide A runout, variant 2
XSV221575-3C 2 2 B 2 o VSD79300 BSide B runout, variant 2
XSV221574-3F VSD79300 A I PSide A runout
XSV221575-3G VSD79300 B I PSide B runout
XSV 221574Side A label
XSV 221575Side B label
XSV221574-3F VSD79300 ASide A runout Var. 1 stamped
XSV221575-3G VSD79300 BSide B runout Var. 1 stamped
XSV221574-3C o VSD79300 ASide A Runout Var.2 stamped
XSV221575-3C 2 2 B 2 o VSD79300 BSide B Runout Var. 2 stamped exc "22B2"
VSD-79300-ASide A
VSD-79300-BSide B
VSD-79300A •GT•Side A runout
VSD-79300B •GT•Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Vanguard 19 019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-348First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | South Africa | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-79300First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Vanguard SR 689LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Vanguard 4R 2LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1971 | UK | Vanguard VSD 79300LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Vanguard VSD•79300 / Vanguard VSD 79300LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | UK | Vanguard VSD 79300LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Craft Recordings CR00264 / Vanguard CR00264LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | Vanguard 519 019LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Vanguard VS 507LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Vanguard VSD 79300 / Vanguard VSD·79300LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Vanguard VSD-79300 / Comet Records VSD-79300LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Stereo, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD•79300LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD-79300LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Illuminations are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Vanguard VSD-79300.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD-79300, 19 019, GX 01-348) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSV221574-3F VSD79300 A and XSV221575-3G VSD79300 B. 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.
