Vinyl pressings
by Lily Tomlin · 1971
This Is A Recording was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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.
POLP 80177 - 1C [MR logo] △15719 (3) STERLING LHSide A runout - variant 1
POLP 80178 - 1C [MR logo] △15719-X (8) STERLING LHSide B runout - variant 1
POLP 80177 - 1C [MR logo] △15719 (4) STERLING LHSide A runout - variant 2
POLP 80178 - 1C [MR logo] △15719-X (4) STERLING LHSide B runout - variant 2
POLP 80177-2A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
POLP 80178-3A STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
POLP 80177-2A STERLING PSide A runout, variant 2
POLP 80178-1A P STERLING LHSide B runout, variant 2
POLP 80177-3A STERLING LHRunout A
POLP 80178-1B STERLING TRunout B
POLP 80177Label A
POLP 80178Label B
22 24-4055-A-1FRunout Side A
22 24-4055-B-1FRunout Side B
STERLINGStamped Side A
IAM (in triangle)Stamped Sides A & B
24-4055-A-K1 A-1<-> ◄ STERLINGSide A runout
24-4055-B-K1 A-1<-> ◄ STERLINGSide B runout
24-4055-A-1F 22Side A Etched
STERLING IAM[In a triangle]Side A Stamped
PD-4055-B-1G 22Side B Etched
POLP 80177Side A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2425064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 2489-026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor P 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4055First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor 2425 064LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Polydor 2425 064LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Polydor 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Polydor 24-4055LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Polydor 24-4055 / Polydor 2425 064LP, Album | LP, Album |
24 vinyl pressings of This Is A Recording are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 24-4055.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24-4055, P 24-4055, 2489-026, 2425 064) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP 80177 - 1C [MR logo] △15719 (3) STERLING LH and POLP 80178 - 1C [MR logo] △15719-X (8) STERLING LH. 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.
