Vinyl pressings
by Mike Harrison · 1975
Rainbow Rider 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.
9 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 9 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-9359-A 1B SXT KENDUNSide A runout, variant 1
ILPS-9359-B 1B SXT KENDUNSide B runout, variant 1
ILPS 9359-A 1B SX KENDUN :E .. 1 SSide A runout, variant 2
ILPS -9359-B Rel 1A SX KENDUN A .C .. SSide B runout, variant 2
EAR 21001 A1 A 2 ARUNside A
EAR 21001 B4(crossed out)5 A 3side B
1s ILPS 9359-A 1BSide A, etched
s ILPS 9359-B Re1 1A ASide B, etched
KENDUNBoth Sides, stamped
EAR 37007 A [AREACEM Logo]A-Side Runout Etching
EAR 37007 B1 [AREACEM Logo]B-Side Runout Etching
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 L35648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9359First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Goodear Records 37 007 / Goodear Records Ear 37.007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Goodear Records EAR 5007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Goodear Records EAR 7002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Goodear Records L35648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Goodear Records DEL 28003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Goodear Records EAR 7002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Island Records ILPS 9359First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Line Records 6.23987 AO / Line Records LLP 5009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00430JLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00430JLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of Rainbow Rider are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1975 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9359.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9359, EAR 7002, L35648, 37 007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS-9359-A 1B SXT KENDUN and ILPS-9359-B 1B SXT KENDUN. 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.
