Vinyl pressings
by Memphis Slim · 1971
Born With The Blues 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.
2 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year. 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.
U-3147 / LPS 5004-1 REA-Side Runout - Etched
U 3148 / LPS 5004-2B-Side Runout - Etched
T 2 (backwards) SL 179901 JEWEL LPS 5004-1 DJA-Side Runout (variant 1) - Etched
T 1 SL 179901 JEWEL LPS 5004-1 DJB-Side Runout (variant 2) - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Jewel Records LPS 5004First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Jewel Records LPS 5004First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Mr. Pickwick MPD 192LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Bellaphon BI 15178LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Inner City Records IC1011 / Inner City Records 1011LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Inner City Records IC1011 / Inner City Records 1011LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Israel | Embassy Music EMB 35644LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Dol DOL1474LP, Reissue, Album | LP, Reissue, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Pico 3669LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Calumet C-3669LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | CARSON C-3669LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | CBS 65644LP | LP |
12 vinyl pressings of Born With The Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1971 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US. One of them is Jewel Records LPS 5004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS 5004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, U-3147 / LPS 5004-1 RE and U 3148 / LPS 5004-2. 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.
