Vinyl pressings
by James Gang · 1971
Thirds was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ABC X-721-A 15824 (4) "With Love From Jessica And?"Side A (variant 1)
ABC x-721-B 15824-X (2) "With Love From Jessica And?"Side B (variant 1)
ABCX-721-A Re 1 [stamped Artisan logo] "With Love From Jessica and ?"Side A (variant 2)
ABCX-721-B Re 1 [stamped Artisan logo]Side B (variant 2)
ABCX-721-ASide A
ABCX-721-BSide B
ABCX-721-A-Re-1 [Artisan Logo]Runout side A etched/stamped
ABCX-721-B-Re-1 [Artisan Logo]Runout side B etched/stamped
ABC X-721-A Re1 [Artisan Logo] "With Love From Jessica and ?"Runout A, variant 1
ABC X-721-B -Z-1 [Artisan Logo] "With Love From Jessica and ?"Runout B, variant 1
ABCX-721-A-3 [Artisan Logo] "With Love From Jessica and ?"Runout A, variant 2
ABCX-721-B-Z-1 [Artisan Logo] "With Love From Jessica and ?"Runout B, variant 2
ABCX 721A-1ASide A Runout, variant 1
ABCX 721B-1ASide B Runout, variant 1
ABCS 721A-1BSide A Runout, variant 2
ABCS 721-B-1ASide B Runout, variant 2
ABCX-721-A-1, "With Love From Jessica And ?"Runout Side A (Variant 1)
ABCX-721-B-1, "With Love From Jessica And ?"Runout Side B (Variant 1)
ABCX-721-A (MR) Artisan Symbol Triangle 15824 (2) "With Love From Jessica And ?"Runout Side A (Variant 2)
ABCX-721-B Artisan Symbol (MR) "With Love From Jessica And ?" Triangle 15824-X (3)Runout Side B (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Probe SPBA 3016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | ABC Records ABCSX-721First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records ABCX-721 / ABC/Dunhill Records ABCX 721First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records ABCX-721 / ABC/Dunhill Records ABCX 721LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1971 | France | Probe 2C062-92421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Probe 1C 062 - 92 421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Probe 3C 062-92421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Probe 3C 062-92421LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1971 | Japan | ABC Records SR 649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | ABC Records SR 649First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062 - 92 421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP.8005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Philippines | ABC Records ABCX-721First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Stateside SCSL-3043First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | South Africa | ABC-Paramount ABC 136 (ABCX 721)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3770 / Pickwick SPC 3770LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Pickwick SPC 3770LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4055 / ABC Records ABCX-721LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | ABC Records ABCX-721LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
54 vinyl pressings of Thirds are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1971 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCX-721.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCX-721, ABCX 721, SPB 1038, SPBA 3016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABC X-721-A 15824 (4) "With Love From Jessica And?" and ABC x-721-B 15824-X (2) "With Love From Jessica And?". 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.
