Vinyl pressings
by Canned Heat · 1972
Historical Figures And Ancient Heads 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.
22 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 15 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 5557-1Runout A, etched, variant 1
UAS 5557-2 3Runout B, etched, variant 1
UAS 5557-A-1Runout A, etched, variant 2
UAS 5557-B-1Runout B, etched, variant 2
T2 UAS 5557-A-1Runout A, etched, variant 1
Ԁ UAS 5557-2 AIRunout B, etched except Ԁ AƖ stamped, variant 1
T2 UAS 5557-A-1Runout A, etched, variant 2
T2 UAS 5557-B-1Runout B, etched, variant 2
UAS 5557-1Runout A,variant 1
UAS 5557-2 3Runout B,variant 1
UAS 5557-A-1Runout A,variant 2
UAS 5557-B-1Runout B,variant 2
UAS 5557-A TGRunout A, etched
UAS 5557-B TGRunout B, etched
T2 UAS 5557-A-1Runout A, etched,
T2 UAS 5557-B-1 V3Runout B, etched, stamped V
UAS 5557-1 4 66Runout A, variant 1
UAS 5557-2 66Runout B, variant 1
UAS 5557-1 3 66Runout A, variant 2
UAS 5557-2 (2) 66Runout B, variant 2
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 | Australia | United Artists Records SU AL 9 34483 / United Artists Records UAS-5557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | United Artists Records SUAL.934483 / United Artists Records UAS-5557First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1972 | Brazil | United Artists Records S-UA 20124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS-5557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Denmark | United Artists Records UAS 29304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | United Artists Records UAS 29.304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | United Artists Records UAS 29 304 IFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | India | United Artists Records UAS-5557 / United Artists Records UAS 5557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | United Artists Records UAS 29304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Liberty LLP-80517First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1972 | Japan | Liberty LLP-80517First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | United Artists Records UAS 29304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | United Artists Records SU AL 9 34483 / United Artists Records UAS-5557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | United Artists Records HUS 061-80 / Hispavox HUS 061-80First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 29304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | BGO Records BGOLP83LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | United Artists Records UAS 29 304 ILP, Album | LP, Album |
24 vinyl pressings of Historical Figures And Ancient Heads are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1972 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAS-5557.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAS-5557, UAG 29304, SU AL 9 34483, SUAL.934483) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAS 5557-1 and UAS 5557-2 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.
