Vinyl pressings
by Eric Gale · 1977
Ginseng Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AL 34421-1D ASA-side runout variant 1
BL 34421-1C B/oB-side runout variant 1
AL 34421-1AA-side runout stamped variant 2
BL 34421-1AB-side runout stamped variant 2
AL 34421-1D ASA-side runout variant 1
BL 34421-1C B/oB-side runout variant 1
AL 34421A-side label
BL 34421B-side label
AL 34421-1AA Side Label
BL 34421-1AB Side Label
AL 34421-1DA Side Stamped
BL 34421-1CB Side Stamped
AL 34421A Side Label
BL 34421B Side Label
AL 34421-1ASide A runout
BL 34421-1A BSide B runout
AL 34421Side A label
BL 34421Side B label
XT AL 34421-1ASide A runout
BL 34421-1D I T o D 2Side B runout
AL 34421A Side label
BL 34421B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 234987First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 446First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1974First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34421First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 34421 / Columbia PC 34421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 34421 / Columbia PC 34421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS 82058 / CBS CBS 82058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | CBS PC 34421 / Columbia 34421LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34421 / Columbia 34421LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Ginseng Woman are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 34421, released March 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 34421, PC 34421, 82058, CBS 82058) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34421-1D AS and BL 34421-1C B/o. 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.
