Vinyl pressings
by Harry Chapin · 1972
Heads & Tales was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EKS-75023-A CTH A T1 STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
EKS-75023-B CTH A1 T1 STERLINGRunout B, variant 1
EKS-75023-A-1 CTH STERLING A T1Runout A, variant 2
EKS-75023-B CTH STERLING D 4 T1Runout B, variant 2
EKS-75023-AA-1 RE-CP A8 PRunout A
EKS-75023-B CP STERLING A6 PRunout B
S1 EKS-75023-A-2 CSM STERLING RL A9Runout A, variant 1
S2 EKS-75023-B-2 CSM STERLING RL ARunout B, variant 1
1 EKS-75023-A-2 CSM STERLING RLRunout A, variant 2
1 EKS-75023-B CSM STERLING BRunout B, variant 2
1 EKS-75023-A-2 CSM SXT CTH RL B 22Side A, Etched (Variant 1)
T1 EKS-75023-B CTH ASide B, Etched (Variant 1)
1 EKS-75023-A-2 CSM SXT CTH RL B 24Side A, Etched (Variant 2)
T1 EKS-75023-B CTH ASide B, Etched (Variant 2)
EKS-75023-A CTH A T1 STERLINGSide A Runout
EKS-75023-B CTH A1 T1 STERLINGSide B Runout
EKS-75023-A-1 CP I STERLINGSide A Runout
P EKS-75023-B CP STERLING B2Side B Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra EKS-75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELLP 501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75023 / Elektra 75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra ELEKTRA 75023 / Elektra EKS 75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS 75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS 75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Elektra 42.107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Elektra ELK 42 107First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Elektra SWG-7579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS-75023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 42107First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM 075023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Elektra K 42107 / Elektra EKS 75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Elektra K 42107LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra 75023 / Elektra EKS-75023LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra 75023LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Heads & Tales are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 75023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 75023, EKS-75023, K 42107, ELLP 501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS-75023-A CTH A T1 STERLING and EKS-75023-B CTH A1 T1 STERLING. 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.
