Vinyl pressings
by Jesse Colin Young · 1978
American Dreams was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
6E-157 A - SP KENDUN-B JGSide A runout, variant 1
6E-157-B SP KENDUN-B JG 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout, variant 1
6E-157 A - SP 1-1 KENDUN-B JGSide A runout, variant 2
6E-157-B SP KENDUN-B JG [SRC logo] 1-3Side B runout, variant 2
6E-157 A-2-1-1 PRC JG KENDUN-ASide A runout etched, KENDUN-A stamped
6E-157 B-2-1-111 PRC JG KENDUN-ASide B runout etched, KENDUN-A stamped
6E-157 A - SP JGSide A Runout, etched
6E-157-B SP JG 1-1Side B Runout, etched
KENDUN-BBoth Sides, stamped
[SRC logo]Side B, stamped
6E-157 A-2-1-1 PRC JGRunout Side A etched
6E-157 B-2-1-111 PRC JGRunout Side B etched
K52105-A 1 E.G.. S-8Side A runout
K52105-B 1 E.G.. S-8Side B runout
K 52105 A*Side A label
K 52105 B*Side B label
MX189245 6E157-1Runout Side A - stamped
MX189246 6E157-2Runout Side B - stamped
MX189245Label Side A
MX189245Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Elektra ELK 52 105First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10598EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10598EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Elektra K 52105 / Elektra 6E - 157First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-157First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Elektra 6E-157LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of American Dreams are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-157.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-157, K 52105, ELK 52 105, P-10598E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-157 A - SP KENDUN-B JG and 6E-157-B SP KENDUN-B JG 1-1 [SRC logo]. 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.
