Vinyl pressings
by Cream · 1972
Heavy Cream 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.
12 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.
POPL-80329-1C △ 17187 (3) 3 RL [MR logo] STERLINGA-side runout, variant 1
POPL-80330-1C △ 17187-X (3) 3 RL [MR logo] STERLINGB-side runout, variant 1
POPL-80331-1C △ 17188 (2) [MR logo]C-side runout, variant 1
POPL-80332-1C △ 17188-X (2) [MR logo]D-side runout, variant 1
POPL-80329-1D RL T1A Side Etched
POPL-80330-1D T1B Side Etched
POPL-80331-1D T1C Side Etched
POPL-80332-1D T1D Side Etched
POPL-80329-1B 66 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
POPL-80330-1B STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
POPL-80331-1B STERLINGRunout side C, variant 1
POPL-80332-1B 66 STERLINGRunout side D, variant 1
POPL-80329-1C ∆ 17187 (3) 3 RLA Side Etched
POPL-80330-1C ∆ 17187-X (2) 3 RLB Side Etched
POPL-80331-1C ∆ 17188 (1)C Side Etched
POPL-80332-1C ∆ 17188-X (3)D Side Etched
POLP 80329A Side Label
POLP 80330B Side Label
POLP 80331C Side Label
POLP 80332D Side Label
POPL-80329-1A 2 STERLING RL IAMSide A runout, variant 1
POPL-80330-1A 2 STERLING RL IAMSide B runout, variant 1
POPL-80331-1A STERLING RL IAMSide C runout, variant 1
POPL-80332-1A STERLING RL IAMSide D runout, variant 1
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 | Canada | Polydor 2668 008First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2668 008LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor PD-3502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor PD-3502First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor PD-3502LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor PD-3502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor PD-3502First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor 2668 008First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor SKBO-95018 / Polydor PD 3502LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502 / Polydor 2668 008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | RSO 2671-102LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | RSO 28MW 0071/2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RSO 2671-102LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2658 102LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | RSO 2671 102LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RSO 2659 022LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RSO 2659 022LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | RSO 2659 022LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Polydor POLP-80331LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 3502LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of Heavy Cream are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is Polydor PD 3502, released September 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 3502, 2668 008) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POPL-80329-1C △ 17187 (3) 3 RL [MR logo] STERLING and POPL-80330-1C △ 17187-X (3) 3 RL [MR logo] STERLING. 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.
