Vinyl pressings
by Judy Collins · 1968
Both Sides Now was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EK-45639A-CTH TIIIIIIISide A Runout [Hand-Etched], variant 1
EK-45639-CTH TIIIISide B Runout [Hand-Etched], variant 1
EK-45639A-CTH TIIIISide A Runout [Hand-Etched], variant 2
EK-45639B-CTH TIIIISide B Runout [Hand-Etched], variant 2
p(stamped/inverted) EKM 45639A-CP-1(scribed)A side deadwax
p(stamped/inverted) EKM 45639B-CP(scribed)B side deadwax
EK-45639A-SPA Runout
EK-456391B-SPB Runout
EK-45639A-SPA Runout (Variant 1)
EK-45639B-SPB Runout (Variant 1)
EK-45639-ALabel side A
EK-45639-BLabel side B
EK-45639-ALabel side A
EK-45639-BLabel side B
EKM-45639A-ARPRunout, Side A, Etched
EK-45639B-ARPRunout, Side B, Etched
ARPRunout, Side A&B, Stamped
EK-45639-ALabel side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Astor AP-1565First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Brazil | Elektra EKCS 15.001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Elektra EK 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Metronome J 797First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Japan | Elektra JET-1878(S)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Elektra JET-1878First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Japan | Elektra JET-1878(S)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Elektra EK.45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | Elektra EK 005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | Elektra TOS 653First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Metronome J45-797First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Metronome J45-797First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-456397", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EK-45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Italy | Vedette Records VRN 341047", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Elektra ELK 456397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Japan | WEA WQJP-115 / EightBanRecord WQJP-1153", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Single, Stereo | 3", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Viking EK.456397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Elektra EK-456397", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
27 vinyl pressings of Both Sides Now are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1968 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EK-45639, released October 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EK-45639, AP-1565, EKCS 15.001, EK 45639) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EK-45639A-CTH TIIIIIII and EK-45639-CTH TIIII. 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.
