Vinyl pressings
by Gordon Lightfoot · 1968
Back Here On Earth was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
UAS-6672 A-1F A1E RSide A runout, variant 1
UAS-6672 B-1C A1C RSide B runout, variant 1
UAS-6672 A-1F A1F RSide A runout, variant 2
UAS-6672 B-1C A1C RSide B runout, variant 2
UAS-6672 A-1DRunout A variant 1
UAS-6672 B-1F III -(2)Runout B variant 1
UAS-6672 A-1F IIRunout A variant 2
UAS-6672 B-1F IIRunout B variant 2
UAS-6672 A-1F II
UAS-6672 B-1F II
ULP 1239 A-1A
ULP 1239 B-1B
SULP 1239 A-1 C ISide A runout, variant 1
SULP 1239 B-1 R 1Side B runout, variant 2
SULP 1239 A-1 C ISide A runout, variant 2
SULP 1239 B-1 A 1Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS 6672First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | United Artists Records SULP 1239First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | United Artists Records ULP 1239First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | United Artists Records ULP 1239LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1968 | UK | United Artists Records SULP 1239First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | Sunset Records US 9991LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Liberty LN-10040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Sunset Records L-15191LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Liberty LN-10040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | United Artists Records SULP 1239LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672 / United Artists Records UAS-6672LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 6672LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Back Here On Earth are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1968 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is United Artists Records UAS 6672.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAS 6672, SULP 1239, ULP 1239) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAS-6672 A-1F A1E R and UAS-6672 B-1C A1C R. 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.
