Vinyl pressings
by Eric Clapton · 1972
History Of Eric Clapton 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.
26 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 13 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.
SIDE 1 2478027 A//1▽420 1 3 6A-Side Runout Variant 1
2478028 A=SIDE 2//1▽420 1 4 4B-Side Runout Variant 1
2478027 B//2▽420 1 1 1 8 RJSC-Side Runout Variant 1
1478028 B//SIDE 4//1▽420 1 3 5D-Side Runout Variant 1
SIDE 1 = 2478027 A//1 420 11 1 0Side 1 Variant
2478027 B= SIDE 3// 1 420 1 1 9Side 3 Variant
2478028 A=SIDE 2//1 420 1 1 5Side 2 Variant
2478028 B=SIDE 4//1 420 1 1 8Side 4 Variant
ST-C-722479 AT/GP △16872(3) PRA Side etched
ST-C-722481AA 3-EX AT/GP △16873(3) PRB Side etched
ST-C-722480-AA ST-C-722480A PR △16872-XC Side etched
ST-C-722482 AA-EX AT/GP △16873-X(2) PRD Side etched
ST-C-722479-AAA-1 AT/GPSide One - Runout
ST-C-722480-BBB-1 AT/GPSide Three - Runout
ST-C-722481-BBB-1 AT/GP PRSide Two - Runout
ST-C-722482BBB-1 AT/GP PRSide Four - Runout
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 | Polydor 2659 012First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Australia | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2668 006LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | France | Polydor 2668 011First yearCompilation, LP, Stereo | Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Israel | Polydor 2658 149First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2668 006 LFirst yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1972 | Japan | Polydor MP 9435/6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Mexico | Polydor 16086-A2 / Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Polydor 2658 147First yearCompilation, LP, Stereo | Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2668 006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Polydor 1 SAM 008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | RSO 35MW 0010/11LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 2668 006 / RSO 2668 006LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | RSO 2671 107LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RSO 2671 107LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RSO 2671 107LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2668 011LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2658 149LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | RSO MWU 9715/6LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 2658 147 / RSO 2658 147LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | ATCO Records HD73 / ATCO Records 73LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-1769, TD-1769LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | RSO 2671 107LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 2-803LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 2-803LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 2-803LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 2-803LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
51 vinyl pressings of History Of Eric Clapton are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 2659 012.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2659 012, 2668 006, 2478-027, SD 2-803) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIDE 1 2478027 A//1▽420 1 3 6 and 2478028 A=SIDE 2//1▽420 1 4 4. 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.
