Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1970
Empty Rooms was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 13 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.
583580 A//1 ▽420 1 1 5Variant 1 Side A runout stamped
583580 B//1 ▽420 1 2 4Variant 1 Side B runout stamped
583580 A//1 ▽ 420 1 2 2Variant 2 Side A runout stamped
583580 B//1 ▽ 420 1 1 2Variant 2 Side B runout stamped
583580 A//1 ▽420 1 1 2Side A, runout, stamped, variant 1
583580 B//1 ▽420 1 1 2Side B, runout, stamped, variant 1
583580 A//1 ▽420 1 1 1Side A, runout, stamped, variant 2
583580 B//1▽420 1 2 2Side B, runout, stamped, variant 2
2425 051ASide A label
2425 051BSide B label
POLP 80047-1 RL STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
POLP 80048-1 RL T 1Side B runout, variant 1
POLP 80047-1 RL STERLING A4 T 2Side A runout, variant 2
POLP 80048-1 B T 1Side B runout, variant 2
SKAO-1-93161-W1 #1 0Side A runout
SKAO-1-93161-W1 #2 0Side B runout
ST-1-93161Side A label
ST-2-93161Side B label
P POLP 80047 STERLING RLA-side runout, variant 1
P POLP 80048 STERLING RLB-side runout, variant 1
POLP 80047 STERLING RL CP+A-side runout, variant 2
POLP 80047 STERLING RLB-side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Unknown | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 583 580First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425.051First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor MP 2087First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor MP 2087First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Mexico | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Mexico | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2424 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | Polydor 2425 051First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 583 580LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Polydor 2424051LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Polydor 2425 051LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Polydor 2425 051LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France & Benelux | Polydor 2425051 TLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2425 051LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
30 vinyl pressings of Empty Rooms are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1970 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 583 580, released March 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 583 580, 2425 051, 24-4010, 2425.051) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 583580 A//1 ▽420 1 1 5 and 583580 B//1 ▽420 1 2 4. 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.
