Vinyl pressings
by Don Nix · 1971
Living By The Days was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 7 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.
Artisan LogoSide One & Side Two stamped
Ƨ EKS-74101-A-A-RESide One etched, var 1
S / EKS-74101 B-B1 RESide Two etched, var 1
XS S \ EKS -74101 A-A2 RE (Artisan logo)Side One etched, var 2
XS P 2 EKS-74101-A-A -RE [Artisan logo] A 3Runout side A
P 1 EKS -74101 B•B2 RE [Artisan logo] B 1Runout side B
EKS-74101-ALabel side A
EKS-74101-BLabel side B
EKS-74101-A-A-RE SXSide One etched
EKS-74101 B-B1 RE SXSide Two etched
Artisan LogoSide One & Side Two stamped
K 42096 A1 Λ 4Runout side A
K 42096 B1 Λ 1Runout side B
EKS-74101-1 MX164968Side One etched
EKS-74101 2 MX164969Side Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Elektra 42096 / Elektra 42.096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Exulta ELK 42 096 / Exulta EKS 74 101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | Elektra EKC 6009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra K 42096First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra K42096LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74101First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74101LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Elektra SWG-7534LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Living By The Days are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-74101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-74101, K 42096, 42096, ELK 42 096) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Artisan Logo and Ƨ EKS-74101-A-A-RE. 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.
