Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1972
An American Trilogy 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.
20 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.
BPKM 1147Side A Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
APKM 1255 3ESide B Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
BPKM 1147 4ESide A Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
A2OSide A Runout, Etched, Variant 2
BPKM 1147 3E 3 5 VSide A runout, stamped
APKM 1255 3E 4 VSide B runout, stamped
BPKM 1147Side A label
APKM 1255Side B label
BPKM 1147Side A Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
APKM 1255 3ESide B Runout, Stamped, Variant 1
BPKM 1147 4ESide A Runout, Stamped, Variant 2
A2OSide A Runout, Etched, Variant 2
BPKS-1147-5S-A1A RA-side runout etching
APKS-1255-5S-A1A RB-side runout etching
BPKS-1147A-side label
APKS-1255B-side label
BPKS-1147-5S- IA-side runout etching
APKS-1255-5S- IB-side runout etching
BPKS-1147A-side label
APKS-1255B-side label
BPKM-1147-1S A1A-side runout
APKM-1255-1S A1B-side runout
BPKM-1147A-side label
APKM-1255B-side label
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 | Australia | RCA Victor 102096First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Canada | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | RCA Victor No 41.007First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA SS-2181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA SS-2181First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | RCA SS-2181First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Philippines | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA 74-0672First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Europe | RCA Victor RCA 2046 / Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. 8869712525110", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 10", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
22 vinyl pressings of An American Trilogy are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1972 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Yugoslavia, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2229.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2229, 74-0672, SRCA-88590, 102096) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPKM 1147 and APKM 1255 3E. 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.
