Vinyl pressings
by Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop · 1956
Pithecanthropus Erectus was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 1956, the album's first year, in 4 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.
11373 AT ASide A runout etched, variant 1
11374 AT ASide B runout etched, variant 1
11373 AT CSide A runout etched, variant 2
11374 AT ASide B runout etched, variant 2
11373B AT1Side A Runout variant 1
11374 "Sailors Cap" ATSide B Runout variant 1
11373 A ATSide A label
11374 B AT1Side B label
11373 AT ASide A runout etched, variant 1
11374 AT ASide B runout etched, variant 1
11373 AT CSide A runout etched, variant 2
11374 AT ASide B runout etched, variant 2
11373Label, side A
11374Label, side B
AML-468-1B 2 1Side 1 Stamped
AML-469-1B 2 1Side 2 Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | Atlantic AT. 1237 / Atlantic 1237First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | New Zealand | London Records LTZM-K.15052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | UK | London Records LTZ-K.15052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | New Zealand | London Records LTZM-K 15052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Atlantic 1237First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Atlantic 1237First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Italy | Atlantic 1237 / Atlantic LPA 1237LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Japan | Atlantic SMJ-7228LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Italy | Atlantic ATL - LP 09034 / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1968 | UK | Atlantic 587131 / Atlantic 588 131LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic MT-2008 / Atlantic MT 2008LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic SMT-2008LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-6005ALP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-6005A / Atlantic SD-1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-6005A / Atlantic SD-1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-6005A / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-7508A / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-7508ALP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6057LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Portugal | Atlantic ATL 50816LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic SD 8809LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1982 | Spain | Atlantic S 90.563LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Atlantic Jazzlore 00838LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 2001 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2001 | US | Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | WaxTime 771731LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2014 | Europe | Dol DOL796LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | DOL DOL796HLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | Dol DOL796HGLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Pan Am Records 9152296LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition · Limited |
| 2018 | Europe | Wax Love WLV82065LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2018 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 2018 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records 1237 / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 2018 | Japan | Atlantic WPJR-10031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 2019 | Europe | WaxTime In Color 950689LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Atlantic 1237 / Analogue Productions APA 059-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| 2025 | Unknown | Jazz Wax Records JWR 4641LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Atlantic 940045 / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic ATL - LP 09034 / Atlantic 1237LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Pithecanthropus Erectus are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1956 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, UK, New Zealand, Canada. One of them is Atlantic 1237, released August 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1237, LTZ-K.15052, LTZM-K 15052, AT. 1237) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 11373 AT A and 11374 AT A. 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.
