Vinyl pressings
by Donovan · 1973
Essence To Essence was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 8 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.
EPC S 69050 A1 STERLING RL ⋀ AL - 32800A-side stamped, 'RL' and 'AL - 32800' are etched
EPC S 69050 B1 STERLING RL ⋀ BL - 32800B-side stamped, , 'RL' and 'BL - 32800' are etched
S EPC 69050 ASide A label
S EPC 69050 BSide B label
AL-32800 EPC S 69050 A2 STERLING RLSide A runout variant 1
BL-32800 EPC S 69050 B2 STERLINGSide B runout variant 1
AL-32800 EPC S 69050 A2 I STERLING RL ΛSide A runout variant 2
BL-32800 EPC S 69050 B2 2 6 STERLING RL ΛSide B runout variant 2
P AL - 32800-1CSide A label
P BL - 32800-1DSide B label
S PAL-32800-1B STERLING RL
S PBL-32800-1A STERLING RL
S [sideways, etched]Santa Maria
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Unknown | Epic E 32800 / Epic EPC 69050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Epic EPC 69050 / ABKCO S-EPC 69050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Epic ECPM-41First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Malaysia | Sony KE32800 / ABKCO KE32800First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Mozambique | CBS S ASF 1799 / CBS S.ASF.1799First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic S EPC 69050 / Epic EPC 69050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | CBS S ASF 1799 / CBS S.ASF.1799First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Epic S EPC 69050 / Epic EPC 69050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Epic S EPC 69050 / Epic EPC 69050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Epic KE 32800First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Epic S EPC 69050 / Epic EPC 69050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3684LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Epic KE 32800LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Chile | CBS SLPC-37104LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Epic SBP 474 163LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Epic ECPM-41LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Epic KE 32800 / Epic E 32800LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Essence To Essence are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Epic S EPC 69050, released December 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S EPC 69050, E 32800, KE 32800, EPC 69050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC S 69050 A1 STERLING RL ⋀ AL - 32800 and EPC S 69050 B1 STERLING RL ⋀ BL - 32800. 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.
