Vinyl pressings
by Jimi Hendrix · 1971
Freedom 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.
17 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 10 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.
N 19473-S-10 T11stamped in deadwax A side
N19480-S-1C T11stamped in deadwax B side
(N19473)SA side label matrix
(N19480)SB side label matrix
N 19473-S -1A P 1VA Side Runout (stamped)
N 19480-S -1A P VB Side Runout (stamped)
(N19473)SA Side Label
(N19480)SB Side Label
N-19473-1A S SA Side Runout (etched)
N-19480-1B S SB Side Runout (etched)
(N19473)SA Side Label
(N19480)SB Side Label
N-19473-S RE-1-1 STERLING RL TII 1000A Side Runout (etched)
N-19480-S RE-1-2 STERLING RL TII 1000B Side Runout (etched)
(N19473RE1)A Side Label
(N19480RE1)B Side Label
(N19473)SA side label (stereo)
(N19473)B side label (mono)
N-19473-1A S -SA side etching
N-19473-1B DJ SB side etching
STERLINGStamped both sides
(N19473RE1)SPrinted both labels
1000 N-19473-S RE-1 1A RL SSA side etching
1000 N-19473-S RE-1 1B RLB side etching
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 | Canada | Reprise Records 1000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2121 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2121 0407", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2121 040First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2121 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | Polydor 2121 040First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Polydor DP 1804First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Polydor DP 1804First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Polydor 2121 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Norway | Polydor 2121 040 / Polydor 2121.040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3261First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 1000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 1000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 1000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 1000First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Classic Records, Inc. RTH-10077", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided · Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided · Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label N-456Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided |
| ? | South Africa | Polydor PS.1507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Freedom are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1971 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Reprise Records 1000.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1000, 2121 040, DP 1804, PRO-3261) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N 19473-S-10 T11 and N19480-S-1C T11. 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.
