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Earthbound by King Crimson, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Earthbound

by King Crimson · 1972

40 pressings14 countriesJazz-RockProg RockRock

Earthbound 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Earthbound

13 pressings came out in 1972, 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.

UK

1972
Label and catalog number
Island Records HELP 6
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

HELP 6 A - 3 UA-side runout, variant 1

HELP 6 B - 1 UB-side runout, variant 1

I3 HELP 6 A - 3 UA-side runout, variant 2

I3 HELP 6 B - 1 UB-side runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1972
Label and catalog number
Island Records HELP 6
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

11 1 HELP 6 A-1U MLVariant 1: side A runout, stamped

2 HELP 6 B-1U MGVariant 1: side B runout, stamped

1 HELP 6 A-2U GDVariant 2: side A runout, stamped

1 HELP 6 B-1U PGVariant 2: side B runout, stamped

Full details of this pressing

UK

1972
Label and catalog number
Island Records HELP 6
Format
LP, Album, Misprint
Runout / matrix

HELP 6 A-1U MOA-Side, stamped, var. 1

HELP 6 B-1U AD 2B-Side, stamped, var. 1

HELP 6 A-3UA-Side, stamped, var. 2

HELP 6 B-1UB-Side, stamped, var. 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1972
Label and catalog number
Island Records HELP 6
Format
LP, Album, Misprint
Runout / matrix

HELP 6 A-1U GT 2A-Side, stamped, var. 1

HELP 6 B-1U GII 2B-Side, stamped, var. 1

Full details of this pressing

Italy

June 1972
Label and catalog number
Island Records ILPS 19201
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

ILPS 19201-1Side 1 runout stamped

ILPS 19201-2Side 2 runout stamped

8-6-72Side 1 runout etched

8-6-72Side 2 runout etched

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 40 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s24 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1972AustriaIsland Records 86 254 ETFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972FranceIsland Records 6427 015First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972GermanyIsland Records 86 254 ETFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972NetherlandsIsland Records 86 254 HT / Island Records 86254 HTFirst yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972New ZealandIsland Records SIL-34657 / Island Records IL-34657First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972SpainIsland Records 86.254-HFirst yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972SwedenIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, Album, MisprintLP, Album, Misprint
1972UKIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, Album, MisprintLP, Album, Misprint
1972UKIsland Records HELP 6First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972ItalyIsland Records ILPS 19201First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1973AustraliaIsland Records L 25006 / Island Records HELP 6LP, AlbumLP, Album
1973AustraliaIsland Records IL-1007 / Island Records HELP-6LP, AlbumLP, Album
All 24 pressings from the 1970s
1980s6 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980SpainPolydor 24 75 699LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980SpainPolydor 23 10 646LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1982UKEditions EG EGED 1 / Polydor 2335 239LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1983JapanEditions EG 25MM 0265 / Polydor 25MM 0265LP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1983JapanEditions EG 25MM 0265 / Polydor 25MM 0265LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1983TaiwanNice Sound Records AR5150LP, AlbumLP, Album
2020s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2022UKDiscipline Global Mobile KCLP11 / Panegyric KCLP11LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown9 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?FrancePolydor 2344 074LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?FrancePolydor 2344 074LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyPolydor 2344 074LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyIsland Records 86 254 ETLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?GermanyPolydor 2344 074LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?ItalyPolydor 2486 198LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?ItalyPolydor 2486 198LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?ItalyIsland Records ILPS 19201LP, Album, Reissue, RepressLP, Album, Reissue, Repress
?SwedenIsland Records HELP 6LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. A121st Century Schizoid Man11:45
  2. A2Peoria7:30
  3. A3The Sailor's Tale4:45
  4. B1Earthbound7:08
  5. B2Groon15:30

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Earthbound are there?

40 vinyl pressings of Earthbound are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1972 and 2022.

When was Earthbound first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, Italy, Austria, France and more. One of them is Island Records HELP 6.

How do I tell if my copy of Earthbound is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HELP 6, ILPS 19201, 86 254 ET, 6427 015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HELP 6 A - 3 U and HELP 6 B - 1 U. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Earthbound on vinyl worth?

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.

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