Vinyl pressings
by Keith Jarrett · 1972
Birth was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
PR ST-A-722503 A AT/GPSide A runout, variant 1
PR ST-A-722504 A AT/GPSide B runout, variant 1
PR ST A 722503 A AT/GPSide A runout, variant 2
PR ST-A-722504 A AT/GPSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-722503A (2) AT/GP △16941 PRSide A, etched
ST-A-722504AA (1) AT/GP △16941-X PRSide B, etched
ST-A-722503-MOSide A, label
ST-A-722504-MOSide B, label
ST-A-722503 AAA-1-11 AT/GP PR DRunout, Side One, etched
ST-A-722504 AAA-1 AT/GP PR DRunout, Side Two, etched
ST-A-722503RILabel, Side One
ST-A-722504RILabel, Side Two
A-13967-A AT PRSide A, etched
A-13968-A AT PRSide B, etched
A-13967 PRLabel, side A
A-139678 PRLabel, side B
K 40401 1Side A
K 40401 2Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Italy | Atlantic K 40401 (SD 1612)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-8258AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1612First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic 1612LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic 1612First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1612First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1612First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Atlantic SD 1612LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Atlantic SD 1612LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-192 / Hispavox HATS 421-192 (LS)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1612LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Birth are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Italy, Japan. One of them is Atlantic SD 1612.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 1612, 1612, K 40401 (SD 1612), P-8258A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PR ST-A-722503 A AT/GP and PR ST-A-722504 A AT/GP. 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.
