Vinyl pressings
by Isaac Hayes · 1973
Joy 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.
12 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
STXS-0723-1 2 ES-01355 1B - L.NIX - SSA Runout
STXS-0723-1 1 ES-01356 1A - L.NIX - SB Runout
ES-01355A Label
ES-01356B Label
STXS-0725-14 T ES-01355-1 -L.NIX- TIIRunout A
STXS-0724-14 ES-01356-1 -L. NIX- TIRunout B
ES-01255Label A
ES-01256Label B
STXS-0723-2 ES-01355 PP --L.NIX--Runout side A etched
STXS-0724-2 ES-01356 PP --L.NIX--Runout side B etched
ES-01355-PLLabel side A
ES-01356-PLLabel side B
STXM-0725-2 EM-01357 PP --L.NIX--
STXS-0723-2 ES-01355 PP --L.NIX--
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 | Enterprise ENA 9085First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Stax 2025 220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Stax 2025 220First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Stax 2025 220First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA 9085First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA 9085First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA 9085First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA-9085First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA-9085First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Not On LabelFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA-9085First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | Enterprise ENA-9085First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | Stax 2025 2207", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Colombia | Stax 20252207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Greece | Stax 20252207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stax BO 1527", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Stax STX 10497", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Stax STX-10497", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of Joy are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Enterprise ENA-9085, released November 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENA-9085, ENA 9085, 2025 220) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXS-0723-1 2 ES-01355 1B - L.NIX - SS and STXS-0723-1 1 ES-01356 1A - L.NIX - S. 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.
