Vinyl pressings
by King Crimson · 1975
The Young Persons' Guide To King Crimson was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
S 89495 A-1 76 Made in GermanySide A, runout, stamped
S 89495 B-1 76 Made in GermanySide B, runout, stamped
S 89496 A-1 76 Made in GermanySide C, runout, stamped
S 89496 B-1 76 Made in GermanySide D, runout, stamped
89.495-XD-A-1N¹Side A runout etched
89.495-XD-B-1N¹Side B runout etched
89.496-XD-A-1N¹Side C runout etched
89.496-XD-B-2N¹Side D runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 89 497 XCT / Island Records 89 495 XTFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Mexico | Island Records LAD 011First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | South Korea | High Stereo Light 90065LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1975 | Spain | Island Records 89497-XDFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Island Records 753455 / Island Records 753456LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Australia | Island Records L 45653/4 / Island Records ISLD 7LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Island L4563/4 / Island (ISLD 7)LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records L 45653/4 / Island Records ISLD 7LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic 2SDS 900LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic 2SDS 900LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic 2SDS 900LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | France | Island Records 6641 356LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | Island Records 2J 162 - 98511/12LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | Island Records 2j 162 - 98511/12LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-5532~3ALP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2612 035LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 26 75 205 / Polydor 23 35 136LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 26 12 035 / Polydor 23 35 136LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 35MM 0270/1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | South Korea | Polydor 2335 136~7(2625 035)LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | Editions EG EGKC 10LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Editions EG EGKC 10LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Editions EG EGKC 10LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2625 035LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2625 035LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | EG EGKC 10LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2625 035LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | Atlantic P-4643~ALP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 2612 035LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2625 035LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2612 035LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2612 035LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2612 035LP, Compilation, Mispress, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Mispress, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of The Young Persons' Guide To King Crimson are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1975 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Germany, Mexico, Spain. One of them is Island Records 89 497 XCT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 89 497 XCT, LAD 011, 89497-XD) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 89495 A-1 76 Made in Germany and S 89495 B-1 76 Made in Germany. 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.
