Vinyl pressings
by Jack Bruce · 1972
At His Best 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.
8 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
POLP - 80341 - IC MR △ 17313 STERLINGVariant 1: Runout side A
POLP - 80342 - IC MR △17313-X STERLINGVariant 1: Runout side B
POLP - 80343 - IC MR △17313 Jerry PynesVariant 1: Runout side C
POLP - 80344 - IC MR △17313-X ( 2X) Jerry PynesVariant 1: Runout side D
POLP - 80341 - IC MR △⃫17313 STERLINGRunout side A
POLP - 80342 - IC MR △⃫17313-X STERLING Jerry PynesRunout side B
POLP - 80343 - IC MR △⃫17314 ( I ) Jerry PynesRunout side C
POLP - 80344 - IC MR △⃫17314-X Jerry PynesRunout side D
22 PD-2-3505 POLP-80341 STERLING RLSide A, etched (STERLING stamped)
22 PD-2-3505 POLP-80342Side B, etched
22 PD-2-3505 POLP-80343Side C, etched
22 PD-2-3505 POLP-80344Side D, etched
POLP - 80341 - 1A IAM STERLINGRunout side A
POLP - 80342 - 1A #2 IAM STERLINGRunout side B
POLP - 80343 - 1A IAM STERLINGRunout side C
POLP - 80344 - 1A IAM STERLINGRunout side D
POLP- 80341 - 1C MR 7 △17313 STERLINGRunout side A
POLP- 80342 - 1C MR 7 △17313-X STERLING Jerry PynesRunout side B
POLP- 80343 - 1C MR △17314 Jerry PynesRunout side C
POLP- 80344 - 1C MR △17314-X Jerry PynesRunout side D
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 | Canada | Polydor 2662 011First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD2-3505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505 / Polydor PD-3505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 3505First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | RSO 2659 024LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RSO 2658 104LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2479 107LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Italy | RSO 2671 104 LLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
12 vinyl pressings of At His Best are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is Polydor PD 3505, released November 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 3505, PD2-3505, 2662 011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP - 80341 - IC MR △ 17313 STERLING and POLP - 80342 - IC MR △17313-X STERLING. 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.
