Vinyl pressings
by Free · 1976
Free & Easy, Rough & Ready was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ILPS 9453 A1 EG JONZSide A runout etched, variant 1
I-23 ILPS 9453 B1 •• EGSide B runout etched, variant 1
I-29 ILPS 9453 A1 EG •• JONZSide A runout etched, variant 2
I-23 ILPS 9453 B1 •• EGSide B runout etched, variant 2
012 28243 A-1/76S A Made in AustriaA side runout, stamped [012] etched
012 28243 B-1/76S A Made in AustriaB side runout, stamped [012] etched
28243 A-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout side A
28243 B-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 28 243 ALabel side A
S 28 243 BLabel side B
28243 A-1/76S Made in Germanystamped in runout side A
28243 B-1/76S Made in Germanystamped in runout side B
S 28 243 ALabel side A
S 28 243 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Island Records L36069First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Austria | Island Records 28 243 ETFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Island Records 28 243 ETFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Island Records 28 243 ETFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9453First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Island Records L-36069First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Singapore | Island Records ILPS 9453First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9453First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Greece | Island Records 14C 062-98768 / Island Records ILPS 9453LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Spain | Island Records 28 243 ILP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | Island Records ILPS 9453 / Jugoton LSI 70763LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSI 70763 / Island Records ILPS 9453LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSI 70763 / Island Records ILPS 9453LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | Island Records ILPS 9453 / Jugoton LSI 70763LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | Island Records ILS-80766LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Island Records 28 243 ETLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 28 243 ETLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Free & Easy, Rough & Ready are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Australia, Austria, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9453.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9453, L36069, 28 243 ET, L-36069) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9453 A1 EG JONZ and I-23 ILPS 9453 B1 •• EG. 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.
