Vinyl pressings
by Dan Fogelberg · 1972
Home Free 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.
6 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
PAL 31751-2A oA side runout stamped, variant 1
PBL 31751-1C oB side runout stamped, variant 1
P AL 31751-1A pA side runout stamped, variant 3
PBL-31751- 1E pB side runout etched, variant 3, small P stamped
T1 SIDE A PAL 31751-2D A1Side A runout, variant 1
T1 SIDE B PBL 31751-1D CSide B runout, variant 1
P AL 31751- 1ASide A runout, variant 2
T1 SIDE B PBL 31751-1D TXSide B runout, variant 2
PAL 31751-2J 1TA Side stamped, variant 1
PBL 31751-2L 1TB Side stamped, variant 1
P AL 31751-2C 1T AA Side Variant 2
P BL 31751-1G 1T o AB Side Variant 2
p P AL 31751-1A IA side runout
XS p 1 PBL 31751- 1B o BB side runout
AL 31751A side label
BL 31751B side label
MX177451Side 1 runout
MX177452Side 2 runout
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 | CBS SBP234860First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Full Moon S EPC 31847First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31751First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31751First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS 80697LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS CBS 80697 / CBS 80697LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Epic EPC 31847Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2196LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2196LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | CBS EMB 31847 / Embassy 31847LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Embassy EMB 31847 / CBS PC 31751LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Misprint, Repress | LP, Album, Misprint, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31751LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
25 vinyl pressings of Home Free are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia. One of them is Columbia KC 31751.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31751, S EPC 31847, SBP234860) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 31751-2A o and PBL 31751-1C o. 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.
