Vinyl pressings
by Eddie Harris · 1972
Instant Death 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.
8 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ST-A-722497A AT/GP PRSide A runout
ST-A-722498A AT/GP PRSide B runout
ST-A-722497 PRSide A label
ST-A-722498 PRSide B label
ST-A-722497A AT/GP MR Δ16928 PRSide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-722498A AT/GP MR Δ16928-X PRSide B runout, variant 1
ST-A-722497AA AT/GP MR Δ16928 (1) PRSide A runout, variant 2
ST-A-722498AA 2 ✓ AT/GP MR Δ16928-X (2) PRSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-722497A AA-I-IIRunout, variant 1, etched, side A
ST-A-722498A AA-I-IIRunout, variant 1, etched, side B
ST-A-722497AAA-1Runout, variant 2, etched, side A
ST-A-722498AAA-1-11Runout, variant 2, etched, side B
A-13961 PRLabel, side A
A-13962 PRLabel, side B
W SD-1611-A TG QA runout etched
W SD-1611-B-2 TG QB runout 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 | Argentina | Atlantic 14.021 / Music Hall 14.021First yearLP, Album, Mono, Stereo · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1972 | Canada | Atlantic SD 1611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 386 / Atlantic SD 1611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 386 / Atlantic SD 1611First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611 / Atlantic SW-94771LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611 / Atlantic SD1611First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611 / Atlantic SD1611First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1611First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 386 / Atlantic 1611LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9408LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Instant Death are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Argentina, Canada, Germany. One of them is Atlantic SD 1611, released July 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 1611, 14.021, ATL 40 386) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-722497A AT/GP PR and ST-A-722498A AT/GP PR. 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.
