Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Hammond · 1973
The Prophet was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
VAN GELDERRunout groove side A & B, stamped
RVG 98770 · A · RE - 2 ⌂Variant 1, Side A, etched
RVG 98770 · B · ⌂Variant 1, Side B, etched
RVG 98770 · A · RE - 1 ⌂Variant 2, Side A, etched
KU-10-S1Side 1 runout
KU-10-S2Side 2 runout
RVG 98770-ASide 1 label
RVG 98770-BSide 2 label
RVG∙98770 A∙ RE∙3 ∙ VAN GELDERSide A etched, VAN GELDER stamped variant 1
RVG∙98770∙B-1 VAN GELDERSide B etched, VAN GELDER stamped variant 1
RVG 98770 A RE•3 • VAN GELDERSide A etched, VAN GELDER stamped variant 2
RVG 98770 B-2• VAN GELDERSide B etched,, VAN GELDER stamped variant 2
RVG 98770 A - 5 VAN GELDERSide 1 etched, VAN GELDER stamped
RVG 98770 B - 3 VAN GELDERSide 2 etched, VAN GELDER stamped
RVG·98770 A·RE·3 KU-1-10Runout side A etched
RVG·98770·B-1 KU-2-10 #1Runout side B etched
VAN GELDERRunout side A&B stamped
(RVG 98770 A)Label side A
Van GelderSide 1 runout - stamped
Van GelderSide 2 runout - stamped
RVG 98770-A - 5Side 1 label - etched
RVG 98770-B - 3Side 2 label - etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Brazil | Kudu OW 557 / One Way OW 557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Kudu KU-10 / CTI Records KU 10First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Europe | Kudu CTI 6505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Kudu SR 3341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-10First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Kudu CIC 6031LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Prophet are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Brazil, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Kudu KU-10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KU-10, OW 557, CTI 6505, SR 3341) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VAN GELDER and RVG 98770 · A · RE - 2 ⌂. 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.
