Vinyl pressings
by Candi Staton · 1970
I'm Just A Prisoner 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.
6 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
ST-1-4201-H4Runout, variant 1, side A, etched
ST-2-4201-H4Runout, variant 1, side B, etched
ST-1-4201-H4 #3 ─◁Runout, variant 2, side A, etched
ST-2-4201-H4 ─◁Runout, variant 2, side B, etched
ST1-4201-J5 #2 IAMA-side runout
ST2-4201-H2 IAMB-side runout
(ST1-4201)A-side label
(ST2-4201)B-side label
0 ST-1-4201-H1Side A runout etched, 0 stamped
0 ST-2-4201-H1Side B runout etched, 0 stamped
ST1-4201Label side A
ST2-4201Label side B
ST-1-4201-J-3 *Runout, variant 1, side A, etched
ST-2-4201-J-3 *Runout, variant 1, side B, etched
ST1-4201Label, side A
ST2-4201Label, side B
ST-1-21631-1GSide A
ST-2-21631-1GSide B
ST1-4201A-Side
ST2-4201B-Side
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 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST 39First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Fame ST-4201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Fame ST-4201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Fame ST-4201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Fame ST-4201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Capitol Records ST-21631 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ◦ 80540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Japan | Fame VS-9005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Kent Soul HIQLP 123LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | UK | Kent Soul HIQLP 123LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | UK | Kent Soul HIQLP 123LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Fame ST-4201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Capitol Records ST - 368LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of I'm Just A Prisoner are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, South Africa. One of them is Fame ST-4201.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-4201, ST-21631, ST 39) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-4201-H4 and ST-2-4201-H4. 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.
