Vinyl pressings
by It's A Beautiful Day · 1973
...Today 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.
9 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
PAL 32181 1B 0 I E J XS ISide A runout, var 1
PBL 32181-1B 0 Sx C ISide B runout, var 1
1 PAL 32181 1B 0 B2 SXSide A runout, var 2
1 PBL 32181 1A 0 Sx C3Side B runout, var 2
PAL 32181 1B 0 I SXT C6Side A runout
PBL 32181-1B 0 B3 SXTSide B runout
AL 32181Side A label
BL 32181Side B label
A MX169526 SBP234316-1A runout
A MX169525 SBP234316-2B runout
KC 32181A label
KC 32181B label
BL 32181-1A 0 C2-GSide A, etched
AL 32181-1A 0 C2-OKSide B, etched
AL 32181A label
BL 32181B label
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 | Australia | CBS SBP234316First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia KC 32181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | CBS CBS S 65483First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS CBS 65483First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | CBS S 65483First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Venezuela | CBS MOT-60.010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83908 / CBS 83908LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of ...Today are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia KC 32181.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 32181, CBS 65483, S 65483, SBP234316) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 32181 1B 0 I E J XS I and PBL 32181-1B 0 Sx C I. 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.
