Vinyl pressings
by Carmen McRae · 1972
The Great American Songbook 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.
8 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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 - A 722467 A AT/GPA side runout
St - A 722468 A PRB side runout
St - A 722469 A AT/GPC side runout
St - A 722470 A AT/GPD side runout
ST-A 722467A AA-1 AT/GP D PRA Side runout
ST-A 722468A AA-1 D PRB Side runout
ST-A 722469A AA-1 A1 AT/GP D PRC Side runout
ST-A 722470A AA-1 A1 AT/GP D PRD Side runout
ST-A 722467A A AT/GP △ 16880 PRA side runout
ST-A 722468A △ 16880-X. PRB side runout
ST-A 722469A AT/GP △ 16881 PRC side runout
ST-A 722470A AT/GP △ 16881-X PRD side runout
ST-A 722467A AT/GP PRRunout side A
ST-A-722468A PRRunout side B
ST-A-722469A AT/GP PRRunout side C
ST-A-722470A AT/GP PRRunout side D
A-13931-A AT PRA side runout
A-13932-A AT PRB side runout
A-13933-A AT PRC side runout
A-13934-A AT PRD side runout
A-13931 PRSide 1 Label
A-13932 PRSide 2 Label
A-13933 PRSide 3 Label
A-13934 PRSide 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-5100~1AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-5100~1AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic 2-904First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904 / Atlantic 2-904First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Atlantic SD 2-904LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-4569~70ALP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic SD 2-904 / Atlantic PPAN SD 2-904LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Great American Songbook are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1972 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Japan. One of them is Atlantic SD 2-904, released May 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 2-904, 2-904, P-5100~1A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, St - A 722467 A AT/GP and St - A 722468 A PR. 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.
