Vinyl pressings
by David Ackles · 1972
American Gothic 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.
11 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 6 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.
EKS 75032 A-2 RE CP MM ESR SX B 2 PSide A runout, variant 1
EKS 75032 B RE. CP MM ESR SX B PSide B runout, variant 1
EKS 75032 A CP RE MM ESR SX BSide A runout, variant 2
EKS 75032 B-1 RE. CP MM ESR SX BSide B runout, variant 2
s EKS 75032-A2 RE MM ESRSide A runout etched, variant 1
s EKS 75032-B1 RE MM ESRSide B runout etched, variant 1
s EKS 75032 A RE MM ESRSide A runout etched, variant 2
s EKS 75032 B-1 RE. MM ESRSide B runout etched, variant 2
S EKS 75032 A RE MM ESR A4Etched, Side A runout
S 1 EKS 75032 B-1 MM ESR A3Etched, Side B runout
2 [P stamped/inverted] EKS 75032 A RE CP MM ESR SX A oEtched, Side A runout
[P stamped/inverted] 2 EKS 75032 B RE.CP MM ESR SX A2Etched, Side B runout
EKS 75032 A -2 RE CP MM ESR SX B (sideways) 2Etched, Side A
[P 2 EKS 75032 B RE.CP MM ESR SX BEtched, Side B
K 42112-A1 Bobil ∴Side A, stamped, etched
K 42112-B1 Rasputin ∴Side B, stamped, etched
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 | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Elektra SWG-7592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Elektra SWG-7592First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS 75032 / Elektra EKS.75032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 42112 / Elektra K42112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS 75032LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS 75032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75032First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Elektra K 42112LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of American Gothic are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS 75032, released July 4, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS 75032, EKS-75032, K 42112, SWG-7592) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS 75032 A-2 RE CP MM ESR SX B 2 P and EKS 75032 B RE. CP MM ESR SX B P. 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.
