Vinyl pressings
by King Crimson · 1975
USA 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.
24 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 18 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.
ILPS 9316 A-1A-side runout, stamped - variant 1
ILPS 9316 B-1B-side runout, stamped - variant 1
ILPS 9316 A-1 R 1A-side runout, stamped - variant 2
ILPS 9316 B-1 P 1B-side runout, stamped - variant 2
ST-A-753337 BB (MR) AT/GP △19791 (1) PR ST-A-7533Side A, variant 1
ST-A-753338-CC (MR) △19791-X PRSide B, variant 1
ST-A-753337 BB (MR) AT/GP △19791 (2) PR ST-A-7533Side A, variant 2
ST-A-753338-CC (MR) AT/GP △19791-X ③Side B, variant 2
ST-A-7533 ST-A 753337 B AT/GP PRVariant 1: Side A runout
ST-A-7533 38 C AT/GP PRVariant 1: Side B runout
ST-A-7533 ST-A 753337 B AT/GP (PR) PVariant 2: Side A runout
ST-A-7533 38 C AT GP PRVariant 2: Side B runout
ST-A-7533 ST-A 753337 B AT/GP PRCSide A runout, variant 1
ST-A-7533 38 C AT/GP PRCSide B runout, variant 1
ST-A 753337 B BB+AT/GP-1 PRC ST-A7533Side A runout, variant 2
ST-A 7533 38- CCC+1-11 AT GP PRCSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-753337-SP
ST-A-753338-SP
1SMX.47181 2ASide A Etched
1SMX.47182 2ASide B 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 | Australia | Island Records L 35520First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Austria | Island Records 88 816 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Chile | Atlantic SD-18136 / Asfona SD-18136First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 6396 043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 88 816 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Island Records 2J 062-98098 / Island Records MT4200LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | Greece | Island Records 2J 062-98098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19316First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19316First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Atlantic P-8565AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Atlantic P-8565AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | Atlantic GWEA-5169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Island Records 88 816 XOT / Island Records ILPS 9316First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-6395ALP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 24 75 703LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 523LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 25MM 0269 / EG 25MM 0269LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Editions EG EGKC 9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Japan | Discipline Global Mobile IEPS-9316 / Wowow Entertainment, Inc. IEPS-9316LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | UK | Discipline Global Mobile KCLP12 / Panegyric KCLP12LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Unknown | Panegyric KCLLPX152LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Panegyric KCLLPC152LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Editions EG EGKC9LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Polydor 2310 523LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Island Records 6396 043LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Portugal | Island Records 5009 316LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302 067 / Polydor 2302-067LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302-067LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302-067LP, Album | LP, Album |
53 vinyl pressings of USA are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1975 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9316.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9316, SD 18136, L 35520, 88 816 XOT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9316 A-1 and ILPS 9316 B-1. 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.
