Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1970
USA Union 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.
26 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 14 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.
POLP 80083-1A LHSide A, variant 1
POLP 80084-1A LHSide B, variant 1
POLP 80083-3A LH STERLINGSide A, variant 2
POLP 80084-1A LH STERLINGSide B, variant 2
POLP 80083-1C [MR logo] △15149 STERLING LHA-Side Runouts, Etched/Stamped
POLP 80084-1C [MR logo] △15149-X STERLINGB-Side Runout, Etched/Stamped
(POLP 80083)A-Side Label
(POLP 80084)B-Side Label
T 1 POLP 80083-1B STERLING LH A1BSide A Runout Etched, "STERLING" stamped
T 1 POLP 80084-1A 80084 STERLING LH A2Side B Runout Etched, "STERLING" stamped
(POLP 80083)Side A Label
(POLP 80084)Side B Label
P POLP 80083-1A STERLING LH E 3Side A runout, variant 1
P POLP 80084 -1A STERLING LH 3 3Side B runout, variant 1
P POLP 80083-1A STERLING LH D 3Side A runout, variant 2
P POLP 80084 -1A STERLING LH C 5 3Side B runout, variant 2
POLP 80083-1C A15149 STERLINGSide 1 Etched
POLP 80084-1C A15149X STERLINGSide 2 Etched
2425020 A//1▽420 1 1 9Side A runout stamped
2425020 B//2▽420 1 2 3Side A runout stamped
2425-020 ASide A Label
2425-020 BSide B Label
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 | Australia | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2425 020LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2425020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2425 020 / Polydor 1 LP - 2425020 LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor MP 2137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Polydor MP 2137First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Mexico | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Mexico | Polydor 2425 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2486018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2425 020 / Polydor 2425.020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9358LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9358LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2425 020LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 2425 020 / Polydor 1 LP - 2425020 LLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Polydor 24 25 020LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of USA Union are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1970 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor 24-4022.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24-4022, 2425-020, 2425 020, 2425020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP 80083-1A LH and POLP 80084-1A LH. 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.
