Vinyl pressings
by Loudon Wainwright III · 1972
Album III 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.
16 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
AL 31462-1C STERLING LH 2 Λ9 T1 o PA side runout, variant 1
BL 31462-1A STERLING 2 LH oB side runout, variant 1
AL 31462-1A STERLING LH 2 C 3 P oA side runout, variant 2
BL 31462 -1B STERLING 3 LH D 2 oB side runout, variant 2
T1 ○ P AL 31462 - 1C STERLING LH 2Side A runout, variant 1
○ T1 BL 31462 - 1HSide B runout, variant 1
AL 31462-1J T1 ○ ASide A runout, variant 2
○ T1 BL 31462 - 1H A3Side B runout, variant 2
AL 31462A Side Label
BL 31462B Side Label
º T AL 31462-1A STERLING LHA Side Etch exc º, Sterling stamps
º T BL 31462-1A STERLING LHB Side Etch exc º, Sterling stamps
AL 31462-1A STERLING LHSide A runout
BL 31462-1A STERLING LHSide B runout
AL 31462-1A STERLING LHRunout A side etched [STERLING stamped]
BL 31462-1A STERLING LHRunout B side etched, [STERLING stamped]
AL 31462A Side Label
BL 31462B Side Label
S X o AL 31462 - 1A STERLING 2 LH A 3Runout side A
S o X BL 31462 - 1B STERLING 3 LH A 3Runout side B
AL 31462Label side A
BL 31462Label side 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 | Australia | CBS SBP 234238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL-148First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL-148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS S 65238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | CBS S 65238 / Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | CBS 65238 / CBS S 65238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia C 31462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia C 31462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia KC 31462 / Columbia C 31462First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Edsel Records ED 168LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Columbia KC 31462 / Columbia P757508LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS 65238LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 31462 / Columbia 31462LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Album III are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1972 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia KC 31462.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 31462, C 31462, S 65238, 65238) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 31462-1C STERLING LH 2 Λ9 T1 o P and BL 31462-1A STERLING 2 LH o. 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.
