Vinyl pressings
by Malo · 1973
Evolution was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BS 2702 40456-1F P Λ PSide A, etched, except P Λ P stamped
BS 2702 40457-1D Λ PSide B, etched, except Λ P stamped
S40,456Side A, label
S40,457Side B, label
BS 2702 40456 1A B2Variant 1, runout side A, B2 etched
BS 2702 40457 1B B6Variant 1, runout side B, B6 etched
BS 2702 40456 1FVariant 2, runout side A
BS 2702 40457 1DVariant 2, runout side B
BS 2702 40456-1E 1 T A4Runout side A
BS 2702 40457-1E 1 T B2Runout side B
S40,456Label side A
S40,457Label side B
BS 2702 40456 1FSide A (Hand Etched)
BS 2702 40457 1FSide A (Hand Etched)
S40,456Side A (On The Label)
S40,457Side B (On The Label)
P BS-2702 40456-RE 1.G I DSide A runout
P BS 2702 40457-RE-1F I ASide B runout
S40,456 RE-1Side A label
S40,457 RE-1Side B label
BS 2702 40456-1B A ~ 2 A 2Runout Side A [Etched]
BS 2702 40457-1B B ~ 2 A 2Runout Side B [Etched]
S40,456Label Side A
S40,457Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records 50-14-067First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records WBLP-5042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | El Salvador | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 221 / Warner Bros. Records (BS 2702)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 221 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 221 / Warner Bros. Records (BS 2702)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records K 46221First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8332WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P8332WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-626 / Warner Bros. Records GX 01-626First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 2702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Panama | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Panama | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records WEA. 10506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2702LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
27 vinyl pressings of Evolution are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2702.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2702, 50-14-067, WBLP-5042, WB 46 221) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS 2702 40456-1F P Λ P and BS 2702 40457-1D Λ P. 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.
