Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1974
Apostrophe (') was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 17 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.
31,690A Side Label
31,691B Side Label
DS-2175 31690-1C [Artisan logo] 1SA Side Etch exc Artisan stamp, var. 1
DS-2175 31691-1A [Artisan logo] 1SB Side Etch exc Artisan stamp, var. 1
P DS-2175T 31690-2 X : ASide A Runout, Variant 1
P -O DS-2175 31691-1B SX [Artisan logo] USide B Runout, Variant 1
P DS-2175 31690-1C SX [Artisan logo] D2 1Side A Runout, Variant 2
P DS-2175 31691-1B SX [Artisan logo] 3Side B Runout, Variant 2
DS 2175A Side Label
DS 2175B Side Label
DS-2175 (31690-1) - 1 - W - 1 ⥞ ⚹A Side Etch
MS 2175 (31691-1) - 2 - W - 1 ω ⚹B Side Etch
B2 1 DS-2175 31690-1B SXTVariant 1 side A runout
B4 \ DS-2175 31691-1 C SXTVariant 1 side B runout
B SX \ DS-2175 31690-1AVariant 2 side A runout
B \ DS-2175 31691-1A SXVariant 2 side B runout
DS-2175 31690-1B [Artisan logo] A SXSide A runout, variant 1
DS-2175 31691-1B SX [Artisan logo] BSide B runout, variant 1
2 DS-2175 31690-1A SX [Artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 2
σ DS-2175 31691-1B SX [Artisan logo] BSide B runout, variant 2
DS-2175 31690-1A ⬭ A12Hand Etched Side A
DS-2175 31690-1B ⬭ A \Hand Etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Discreet 50-14.113 / Warner Bros. Records 50-14.113First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14.113First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Colombia | Codiscos 10529 / DiscReet DS 2175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Discreet 59201 / Discreet DS 2175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Discreet 59201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DS 2175First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DS 2175First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Discreet K 59201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Discreet P-8467DFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Discreet P-8467DFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DIS 59201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DIS 59201First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Discreet RS 2175 / Reprise Records RS 2175First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Reprise Records HRES 291-61First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Reprise Records HRES 291-61First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Russia | Santa Records П93-00699/700 / Santa Records ATR 30271-2LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Zappa Records 0824302385111 / Barking Pumpkin Records 0824302385111LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Zappa Records ZR 3851 / Barking Pumpkin Records ZR 3851LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Zappa Records ZR 3851CLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR 3851 / Barking Pumpkin Records 0824302385111LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2023 | Europe | Zappa Records 700206 / Elemental Music 700206LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Zappa Records ZR20046-1 / UMe 00602465639865LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Zappa Records ZR20046-1B / UMe 00602465639872LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Discreet DS 2175LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Discreet DIS 59 201 (DS 2175)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet K 59 201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DS 2175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Zappa Records 700206 / UMe 700206LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| ? | France | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DIS 59201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Discreet DIS 59 201LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59201 / Discreet DS 2175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201 / Discreet DS 2175LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59201LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Discreet 38 412-3LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Discreet DIS 59 201LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
105 vinyl pressings of Apostrophe (') are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1974 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Discreet DS 2175, released March 22, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DS 2175, DS4 2175, K59201, K 59201) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 31,690 and 31,691. 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.
