Vinyl pressings
by Clark Terry / Bob Brookmeyer Quintet · 1966
Gingerbread Men was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. 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 1966, 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.
KY - 452 AB l 66Runout side A etched, variant 1
KY - 453 AB l 66Runout side B etched, variant 1
AudioMatrix KY 452 9-3-66Runout side A, variant 2
AudioMatrix KY 453 AB-8-66Runout side B, variant 2
KY-452 9-3-66 AUDIOMATRIXRunout side A
KY-453 9-3-66 AUDIOMATRIXRunout side B
KY-452Label side A
KY-453Label side B
KP-454 AB 9-66Runout etching side A
KP-455 AB 9-66Runout etching side B
683 739 1LMatrix, A-side label
683 739 2LMatrix, B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | UK | Fontana TL 5394 / Fontana 683 739 TLFirst yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Fontana STL 5394First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Mainstream Records 56086First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Mainstream Records 56086First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Mainstream Records S/6086First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Mainstream Records S/6086First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Mainstream Records YS-2012-MSLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Mainstream Records MRL 373LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Mainstream Records MRL 373LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Mainstream Records MRL 373 / A Red Lion Production MRL 373LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Mainstream Records MXRL 373LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Mainstream RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Japan | Mainstream Records ULS-1543-ALP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Mainstream Records ULS-1543-ALP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Gingerbread Men are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1966 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK. One of them is Mainstream Records S/6086, released October 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S/6086, 56086, TL 5394, STL 5394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KY - 452 AB l 66 and KY - 453 AB l 66. 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.
