Vinyl pressings
by Jade Warrior · 1974
Floating World 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.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ILPS-9290 A-1U LH 4 STERLINGSide A, etched U and sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
ILPS 9290 B-2U LH 2 STERLINGSide B, etched U and sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
ILPS.9290-ALabel, A-side
ILPS.9290-BLabel, B-side
ILPS 9290 A-1 [U G STERLING (stamped)] LH 4Side A, etched
ILPS 9290 B-2 [U R STERLING (stamped)] 2 LHSide B, etched
ILPS.9290-ACenter label, A-side
ILPS.9290-BCenter label, B-side
ILPS-9290 1A SX KENDUNSide A, variant 1 etched/stamped
ILPS-9290B 1B SX KENDUNSide B, variant 1 etched/stamped
ILPS-9290A 1A KENDUN SX TSide A, variant 2 etched/stamped
ILPS 9290 B 1B SXT KENDUN C 1 BSide B, variant 2 etched/stamped
1 ILPS-9290-A RE-1 KENDUN-B 1A B
1 ILPS-9290-B RE-1 KENDUN-B 1B B
1 S ILPS-9290-A RE-1 KENDUN-B 1ARunout, A-side variant 1
1 S ILPS-9290-B RE-1 KENDUN A 1A ARunout, B-side variant 1
S 1 ILPS-9290A 1B KENDUN C A2Runout, A-side variant 2
S 1 ILPS 9290 B 1B KENDUN C A2Runout, B-side variant 2
ILPS-9290 1A SX KENDUNRunout, side A
ILPS-9290B 1B SX KENDUNRunout, side B
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 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Island Records 88.372-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9290LP, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9290First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9290LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9290LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9290LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Antilles AN7045LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Antilles AN-7045 / Island Records ILPS 9290LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Floating World are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, South Africa, Spain. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9290, 88.372-I) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS-9290 A-1U LH 4 STERLING and ILPS 9290 B-2U LH 2 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.
