Vinyl pressings
by Harry Chapin · 1973
Short Stories was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
K-42155-A2Runout A, stamped, variant 1
K-42155-B1Runout B, stamped, variant 1
K 42155 A-1Runout A, stamped, variant 2
K 42155 B-1Runout B, stamped, variant 2
EKS 75065-A-2 ESR-TD-11-1-73 BVariant 1 Side A, etched
EKS 75065-B1 ESR-TD 11-1-73 CVariant 1 Side B, etched
EKS 75065-A-1 ESR-TD-11-1-73Variant 2 Side A, etched
EKS 75065-B-2 ESR-TD 11-1-73 CVariant 2 Side B, etched
EKS 75065-A-2 ESR-TD 11-1-73 A4 S1Side A runout, variant 1
EKS 75065-B1 ESR-TD 11-1-73 A4 Ɛ1Side B runout, variant 1
EKS 75065-A-2 ESR-TD-11-1-73 A3 S1Side A runout, variant 2
EKS 75065-B-2 ESR-TD-11-1-73 A1 S1Side B runout, variant 2
EKS 75065 A 2 SX ESR-TD 11-1-73 B I PSide A runout
EKS 75065-B-2 SX ESR-TD-11-1-73 P 2Side B runout
EKS-75065-ASide A label matrix
EKS-75065-BSide B label matrix
EKS 75065-A SXT CTH ESR-TD 11-1-72 C1 2Runout Side A, Etched
EKS 76065-B1 SXT CTH ESR-TD 11-1-73 B6Runout Side B, Etched
EKS 75065-A-Z SXT CTH ESR-TD-11-1-73 C19 2Side A, etched
EKS 75065 B CTH ESR-TD 11-1-73 C SXSide B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Elektra P-8428EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Elektra P-8428EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Elektra K 42155First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Elektra 75065 / Elektra EKS-75065First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Elektra 75065 / Elektra EKS-75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra EKS 75065LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Elektra EKS 75065LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Elektra EKS 75065LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Elektra K42155LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS 75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS 75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS 75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-75065 / Elektra 75065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Short Stories are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1973 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Elektra K 42155.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 42155, EKS-75065, 75065, EKS 75065) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K-42155-A2 and K-42155-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.
