Vinyl pressings
by Elvin Jones · 1969
The Ultimate was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
BNST·84305·A· VAN GELDER 114Runout, side A
BNST·84305·B· VAN GELDER 114Runout, side B
BNST 84305-ALabel, side A
BNST 84305-BLabel, side B
BNST.84305.A VAN GELDERSide A
BNST.84305.B(2) VAN GELDERSide B
BNST.84305.A. VAN GELDERStamped, side A variant 1
BNST.84305.B (2) VAN GELDERStamped, side B
BNST.84305.A (2). VAN GELDEREtched and stamped (VAN GELDER), side A variant 2
BNST.84305.A (2) VAN GELDEREtched and stamped (VAN GELDER), side B variant 2
BNST 84305.A VAN GELDER Made in GermanySide A
BNST 84305.B (2) VAN GELDER Made in GermanySide A
BNST.84305.A. VAN GELDERStamped, side A
BNST.84305.B (2) VAN GELDERStamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Germany | Blue Note BST 84305 K / Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Blue Note BST 84305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 84305LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84305LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84305LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Blue Note BST 84305LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Blue Note BST 84305LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | US | Blue Note BST 84305 / Universal Music Enterprises B0022334-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Ultimate are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Germany, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BST 84305, released August 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST 84305, BST 84305 K) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNST·84305·A· VAN GELDER 114 and BNST·84305·B· VAN GELDER 114. 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.
