Vinyl pressings
by Harry Chapin · 1972
Taxi 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.
13 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
EKS-45770-A 1 SP 2372 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
EKS-45770-B SPB-Side Runout Etching
A EKS-45770-C-1 SP 2-3-72 STERLING SRCA-Side Runout Etching (Variant)
EKS-45770-B SP SRCB-Side Runout Etching (Variant)
EKS-45770-A PH-11-1 PR STERLINGA Side
EKS-45770-B PH 1-11 PRB Side
EKS-45770-A-1 CSMSide 1 runout, variant 1
EKS-45770-B-1 CSMSide 2 runout, variant 1
EKS-45770-C̶ A-CSMSide 1 runout, variant 2
EKS-45770-B CSMSide 2 runout, variant 2
EKM- 45770 A SP STERLING SRCMono deadwax
EKS-45770- SP A-1 2-3-72 A-1 STERLING SRCStereo deadwax
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 EKM-45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELCS-15.001First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra E 45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Elektra 12044First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Elektra 12.044First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Elektra EKM.45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 12044First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EK-45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EK-45770-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EK-45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EK-45770First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EK-45770-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K 12044First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Taxi are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra EK-45770.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EK-45770, EK-45770-A, K 12044, EKM-45770) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS-45770-A 1 SP 2372 STERLING and EKS-45770-B SP. 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.
