Vinyl pressings
by Hamilton Bohannon · 1974
South African Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
7-688-1AEtched Runout - Side A (Variant 1)
7-689-1AStamped Runout - Side B (Variant 1)
7-688-1B pA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
7-689-1A pB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
DK 4539 7-688-1AEtched Runout, Side A, Variant 1
DK 4539 7-689-1A MASTERDISK / G. KONGStamped Runout, Side B, Variant 1
DK 4539 7-688-1 -H - I G. KONG MASTERSIDK PRC DEtched Runout, Side A, Variant 2
DK4539 7-689-1-H - I H/ KONG MASTERDISK PRC DEtched Runout, Side B, Variant 2
ZB-31-1CA-side runout stamped variant 1
ZB-32-1CB-side runout stamped variant 1
ZB-31-1C G 1A-side runout stamped variant 2
ZB-32-1C UN 1B-side runout stamped variant 2
1210-4539-S1Side A
1210-4539-S2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Dakar Records 1210-4539First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Canada | Dakar Records 1210-4539First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Brunswick 640 050First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-96 390 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 390First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Jamaica | Dakar Records DK 4539First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | South Africa | Decca PD.1055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Brunswick BR 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | Brunswick BR 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Dakar Records DK 4539First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Dakar Records DK 4539First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Dakar Records DK 4539First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of South African Man are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Dakar Records DK 4539.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DK 4539, BR 16, 1210-4539, 640 050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-688-1A and 7-689-1A. 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.
