Vinyl pressings
by Free · 1972
Free At Last 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.
25 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 18 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.
1LPS 9192 A-1URunout side A, variant 1
ILPS 9192 B-1URunout side B, variant 1
1LPS 9192 A-1U 1 TRunout side A, variant 2
ILPS 9192 B-1U 1 TRunout side B, variant 2
1LPS 9192 A-1U RP 1Side A runout variant 1
ILPS 9192 B-1U 1Side B runout variant 1
1LPS 9192 A-1U AM 1Side A runout variant 2
ILPS 9192 B-1U RM 1Side B runout variant 2
SP-4597A Side Label
SP-4598B Side Label
A&M SP 4597 T2 T1A Side Etch
A&M SP 4598 T1 T1B Side Etch
P A&M SP 4597 P2A-side runout, variant 1
P A&M SP 4598 P2B-side runout, variant 1
P A&M SP 4597 P2 3 AA-side runout, variant 2
P A&M SP 4598 P2 2 AB-side runout, variant 2
A&M SP 4597 M1 △16959Etched, side 1
A&M SP 4598 M 2 -REPL. △16959-X (6)Etched, side 2
MR (in a circle)Stamped, sides 1 & 2
(SP-4597)Label, side 1
a&m sp 4597 p2Side A, Stamped
a&m sp 4597 p2Side B, Stamped
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 | Unknown | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1972 | Australia | Island Records SIL-934,565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Austria | Island Records 86171 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | Island Records 410015 / Phonogram 410015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4349First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Denmark | Island Records ILPS 9192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Island Records 6427 013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Island Records 86171 IT / Island Records 86 171 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | India | Island Records ILPS 9192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Israel | Island Records ILPS 9192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19192First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Island Records ICL-35LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Island Records 86 171 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL 934565 / Island Records SEL-934565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Island Records SIL 934565 / Island Records SEL-934565LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | Island Records 86171-I / Island Records 86.171-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Island Records 20SI-230 / Polystar 20SI-230LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | Island Records 20SI-230 / Polystar 20SI-230LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Island Records 473 184-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL 934565LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 201 549 / Island Records 201549LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 200 560LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of Free At Last are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1972 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9192.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9192, SP-4349, SP 4349, ICL-35) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1LPS 9192 A-1U and ILPS 9192 B-1U. 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.
