Vinyl pressings
by Gang Starr · 1994
Hard To Earn was first pressed on vinyl in 1994. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1994, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MASTERDISK TD SRC F1-28435-A1 1-1A-side runout etching
MASTERDISK TD SRC F1-28435-A̶2̶ B1B-side runout etching
MASTERDISK TD SRC F1-28435-C-RE1-F2 1-1C-side runout etching
SRC F1-28435-B̶2̶ D1D-side runout etching
8288701 A-01-1-1 DSide A
8288701 B-01-1-1 DSide B
8288711 C-01-1-1 DSide C
8288711 D-01-1-1 DSide D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | UK | Chrysalis HTELP01 / ERG HTELP01First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | US | Chrysalis F1-28435 / Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 1 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1994 | UK & Europe | Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 1 1 / ERG 7243 8 28435 1 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 1 1 / ERG 7243 8 28435 1 1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Virgin B0021741-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Virgin Records B0021741-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited |
| 2023 | US | Virgin Records B0021741-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | US | Virgin 199957197984 / UMe 199957197984LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Gang Starr) GSRLP-371LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Not On Label (Gang Starr) GSRLP-371LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
10 vinyl pressings of Hard To Earn are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1994 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1994, in US, UK, UK & Europe. One of them is Chrysalis F1-28435.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F1-28435, HTELP01, 7243 8 28435 1 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK TD SRC F1-28435-A1 1-1 and MASTERDISK TD SRC F1-28435-A̶2̶ B1. 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.
