US
1953- Label and catalog number
- MGM Records E-203
- Format
- 10", Album, Compilation · Red Border Cover
- Runout / matrix
A E203 S1Side A Runout - Stamped
B E203 S2Side B Runout - Stamped

Vinyl pressings
by Hank Williams · 1953
Hank Williams As Luke The Drifter was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. 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 1953, the album's first year, in 4 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.
A E203 S1Side A Runout - Stamped
B E203 S2Side B Runout - Stamped
53-MG-13A label
53-MG-14B label
53-MG-13A side
53-MG-14B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Australia | MGM Records M-G-M 01 119First year10", Album, Compilation | 10", Album, Compilation |
| 1953 | Australia | MGM Records M-G-M-01-119First yearLP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | Canada | MGM Records E-203First year10", Album, Compilation | 10", Album, Compilation |
| 1953 | Canada | MGM Records E-203First yearLP, 10", Album, Compilation | LP, 10", Album, Compilation |
| 1953 | UK | MGM Records MGM-D-119 / MGM Records M-G-M D 119First yearLP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | MGM Records E-203First year10", Album, Compilation | 10", Album, Compilation |
| 1953 | US | MGM Records 203First year10", 78 RPM, Album, Compilation | 10", 78 RPM, Album, Compilation |
| 1955 | Canada | MGM Records E-3267LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | New Zealand | MGM Records M-G-M D 11910", Mono · Mono | 10", Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | MGM Records M-G-M D 119 / MGM Records MGM-D-119LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | MGM Records M-G-M K2037", 45 RPM, Album, Compilation, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1955 | US | MGM Records E3267LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1955 | US | MGM Records E-203 / MGM Records E203LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | US | MGM Records E3927LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | MGM Records E3927LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Canada | MGM Records E-4138(C)Compilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1963 | Canada | MGM Records E4138(C)LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | MGM Records 665 204LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | MGM Records E-4138 / MGM Records E4138LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | MGM Records SE-4138LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | Japan | MGM Records YS-5128LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | MGM Records SE 4380 (D)LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | MGM Records E 4380(C)LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | MGM Records MGM C 8022 / MGM Records MGM-C-8022LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | MGM Records E-4380 / MGM Records E4380LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | MGM Records E-4380 / MGM Records E4380LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | MGM Records E-4380 / MGM Records T-90884LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1966 | US | MGM Records SE-4380 / MGM Records ST-90884LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Birchmount BM 806LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Rainbow RLP 49935 / Polydor RLP 49935LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MGM Records SE-4380 / MGM Records SE 4380LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | MGM Records SE-4380LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | MGM Records M-G-M-01-119LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | Australia | MGM Records SE-4380 / MGM Records SE 4380LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | MGM Records E-4380 / MGM Records E 4380LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | MGM Records E-3267LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | MGM Records E-3267LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | MGM Records M-G-M D 119 / MGM Records MGM-D-119LP, 10", Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | MGM Records E3267LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Polydor 422-831 574-1 Y-1 / Polydor 831 574-1 Y-1LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | MGM Records E3267LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
50 vinyl pressings of Hank Williams As Luke The Drifter are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1953 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is MGM Records E-203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-203, 203, MGM-D-119, M-G-M 01 119) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A E203 S1 and B E203 S2. 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.