Vinyl pressings
by David Cassidy · 1972
I Am A Clown 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.
7 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.
2008 163 =2 S1 320 U 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2008 163 S2 ℗ 1972 320 1 U̶ TRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
2008 163 =2 S1 320 R 1 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
2008 163 S2 ℗ 1972 320 DRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
2008 163 =2 S1 320 24 1 Made in Austria 2Runout side A, stamped
2008 163 S2 Made in Austria ℗1972 320 24 2Runout side B, stamped
2008 163 ALabel side A
2008 163 BLabel side B
2008 163 A SLabel side A
2008 163 B SLabel side B
AA 2008 157 1W 1 ℗ 1972 670 112 1 03Runout side A
AA 2008 157 2W 1 ℗ 1972 670 11 1 03Runout side B
2008 157 ALabel side A
2008 157 BLabel side B
AA 2008 157 1W 1 Ⓟ 1972 670 113 03Runout side A stamped
AA 2008 157 2W 1 Ⓟ 1972 670 113 03Runout side B stamped
2008 157 ALabel side A
2008 157 BLabel side B
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 | Austria | Bell Records 2008 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Bell Records 2008 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Guatemala | Bell Records 2008 163First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Ireland | Bell Records Mabel 4First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Bell Records 2008 157First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Bell Records 2008 157First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Bell Records 2008 165First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 1577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Bell Records 2008 1617", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Bell Records 2008 1577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Greece | Bell Records 20081707", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Peru | Bell Records 20081937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Scandinavia | Bell Records 2008.1657", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | Bell Records 20 08 0717", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Bell Records MABEL 47", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Bell Records 2008 1577", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of I Am A Clown are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1972 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, Austria, Guatemala, Ireland and more. One of them is Bell Records 2008 163.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2008 163, Mabel 4, 2008 157, 2008 165) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2008 163 =2 S1 320 U 1 and 2008 163 S2 ℗ 1972 320 1 U̶ T. 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.
