Vinyl pressings
by Free · 1973
The Free Story was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ISLD41 A-LVariant 1, A side stamped
ISLD41 ̷A̷B-LVariant 1, B side stamped
ISLD42 A-LVariant 1, C side stamped
ISLD41 B-LVariant 1, D side stamped
S 87 311 A-4side 1
S 87 311 B-4side 2
S 87 312 A-2side 3
S 87 312 B-2side 4
S 87311 A-4 Made in GermanyRunout A [stamped]
S 87311 B-4 Made in GermanyRunout B [stamped]
S 87312 A-2 Made in GermanyRunout C [stamped]
S 87312 B-2 Made in GermanyRunout D [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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records ISLD 4 / 87 313 XDTFirst yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records ISL D3First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1973 | Japan | Island Records ISLD4First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Malaysia | SL 28382First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ISLD 4First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ISLD 4First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records L 45317/8 / Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records L 45317/8 / Island Records L-45,317LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Germany | Island Records 89 313 XBTLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | Ireland | Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ISLD4LP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Mini-Album, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1975 | Australia | Island Records L 45317/8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 25 058 XCTLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 25 058 XCTLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Island Records ISLD 4LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 25 058 XBLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 25 058 XBTLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 25058 XCTLP, Compilation, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 25 058 XCTLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of The Free Story are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Italy, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Island Records ISLD 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ISLD 4, ISLD 4 / 87 313 XDT, ISL D3, ISLD4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ISLD41 A-L and ISLD41 ̷A̷B-L. 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.
