Vinyl pressings
by Judy Collins · 1979
Hard Times For Lovers was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
6E-171 A-2 PRCW - 1Side A runout, variant 1
6E-171 B-3 PRCW - 11 - 11Side B runout, variant 1
6E-171 A-3 PRCW 1Side A runout, variant 2
6E-171 B-3 PRCW - 1Side B runout, variant 2
6E-171 A-1 SP 1-3Side A runout, variant 1
[SRC Logo] 6E-171 B SP 1-3Side B runout, variant 1
6E-171 B̶ A-8 SP 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
[SRC Logo] 6E-171 B-1 SP 1-3Side B runout, variant 2
6E-171 A-4 PRC-1-IIISide A etched
6E-171 B-4 PRC-1-1Side B etched
6E-171 A-9 AR B-13969Side A runout, etched
6E-171 B-7 AR B13970Side B runout, etched
6E-171-ASide A label
6E-171-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Elektra 208611First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Elektra 6E-171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Belgium | Elektra ELK 52 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Elektra 32020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra 6E-171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Elektra ELK 52 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Elektra W52121First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1979 | Italy | Elektra W52121 / Elektra W 52121First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10635EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Elektra P-10635EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 52 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Elektra 6E-171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | Elektra LP-S-58-17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Korea | Elektra OLW-064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Hard Times For Lovers are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-171.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-171, K52121, 208611, ELK 52 121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-171 A-2 PRCW - 1 and 6E-171 B-3 PRCW - 11 - 11. 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.
