Vinyl pressings
by Elephants Memory · 1972
Elephant's Memory 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.
16 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 11 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.
SMAS-1-3389-R-D3• ✲Runout side A Variation 1
SMAS-2-3389-R-D3• ✲Runout side B Variation 1
SMAS-1-3389-R-D3• 1 ✲Runout side A Variation 2
SMAS-2-3389-R-D3• 1 ✲Runout side B Variation 2
SMAS-1-3389-RA-side variant 1 etched
SMAS-2-3389-RB-side variant 1 etched
SMAS-1-3389-R 0A-side variant 2 etched except 0 stamped
SMAS-2-3389-R 0B-side variant 2 etched except 0 stamped
SMAS 1-3389A Side Label
SMAS 2-3389B Side Label
SMAS-1-3389-R 3 #1 —◁A Side Etch var. 1
SMAS-2-3389-R #2 —◁B Side Etch var. 1
SMAS-1-3389-R-D3 ISide 1 Runout Etched
SMAS-2-3389-R-D3 ISide 2 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 | Apple Records 5113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Denmark | Apple Records 6C 062 94018 / Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Apple Records 1C062-94 018 / Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Apple Records EAP-80676First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Mexico | Apple Records SLEM 420First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Apple Records SAPCOR 22First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records SMAS 3389First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records SMAS 3389 / Apple Records SMAS-3389First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records SMAS 3389First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Venezuela | Apple Records DSAPCOR 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Apple Records SMAS 3389First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Apple Records 5C 062-94 018 / Apple Records 5C 062-94018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Elephant's Memory are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Netherlands, Argentina and more. One of them is Apple Records SMAS 3389, released September 18, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMAS 3389, SAPCOR 22, 5C 062-94 018, 5113) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMAS-1-3389-R-D3• ✲ and SMAS-2-3389-R-D3• ✲. 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.
