Vinyl pressings
by Harry Chapin · 1974
Verities & Balderdash 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.
23 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 10 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.
S 1 7E 1012 A CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 A 31Side A etched
S 1 7E 1012 B-2 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74Side B etched
S1 7E1012A-1 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 J10Side A etched, variant 2
S1 7E1012B-2 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74Side B etched, variant 2
7E 1012 A-2 CSM SX CTH ESR-TD-7-23-74 T1Runout A etch [Var 1]
7E 1012-B4CTH ESR TD-12-9-74 T1Runout A etch [Var 1]
7E 1012A-1 CSM Sx CTH ESR-TD-7-23-74 T1Runout A etch [Var 2]
7E 1012-B-1 CSM SxCTH ESR-TD 7-23-74 B- ƧRunout B etch [Var 2]
1 7E 1012 A-2 CSM SX ESR-TD-7-23-74Runout A, variant 1
1 7E 1012 B CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 DRunout B, variant 1
1 7E 1012 A-1 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 H SX HRunout A, variant 2
1 7E 1012 B-1 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 ERunout B, variant 2
7E1012A-1 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74Side 1 Runout Etched
7E1012B-2 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74Side 2 Runout Etched
7E 1012 A-5 SP [SRC Logo]Runout side A variant 1
7E 1012 B-5 SP [SRC Logo]Runout side B variant 1
7E 1012 A 5 SRC SP 1-1Runout side A variant 2
7E 1012 B-5 SP SRC 2-1 ESR-TD 12-13-74Runout side B variant 2
S 1 7E 1012A-1CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74A-Side Etched Variant 1
S 1 7E1012B-2 CSM ESR-TD 7-23-74B-Side Etched Variant 1
1 7E1012A-1 CSM ESR-TD 7-23-74A-Side Etched Variant 2
1 7E1012B-2 CSM ESR-TD 7-23-74B-Side Etched Variant 2
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 | Australia | Elektra 7E-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | Elektra 7E-1012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | Elektra 3-03-404-020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra 7ES 1012 / Elektra 7ES-1012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra 7ES 1012 / Elektra 7ES-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra 7ES 1012 / Elektra 7ES-1012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Elektra 7ES 1012 / Elektra 7ES-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 007 / Elektra 7E-1012First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 007 / Elektra 7E-1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Greece | Elektra 413First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Elektra P-8542EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS 1012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Teal Records EKC 6043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Elektra K 52007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Elektra K 52007First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | Elektra K 52007LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7E-1012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-614 / Elektra MFSL 1-614LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Elektra 7E 1012LP | LP |
| ? | Canada | Elektra 7ES 1012 / Elektra 7ES-1012LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Elektra ELK 52 007 / Elektra (7 E - 1012)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra 7E-1012LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | US | Elektra 7E-1012LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
38 vinyl pressings of Verities & Balderdash are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra 7E-1012, released July 23, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7E-1012, K 52007, 3-03-404-020, 7ES 1012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 1 7E 1012 A CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74 A 31 and S 1 7E 1012 B-2 CSM ESR-TD-7-23-74. 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.
