Vinyl pressings
by Millie Jackson · 1976
Free And In Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
SP-16709-A-mw-EX MR △20485(2) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
SP-16709-B-mw-EX MR △20485-X(2) STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
SP-1-6709-A-mw-EX MR △20485(3) STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
SP-1-6709-B-mw-EX MR △20485-X(3) STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
22 SP-1-6709-A-AD STERLINGA-side runout, variant 1
22 SP-1-6709-B-AD STERLINGB-side runout, variant 1
22 SP-1-6709-A-AD MI STERLINGA-side runout, variant 2
22 SP-1-6709-B-AD STERLINGB-side runout, variant 2
SP-1-6709-A-1-PRC 1-1 STERLING PRCRunout A
SP-1-6709-B-PRC-1 1-1 STERLING PRCRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Spring Records SP-1-6709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Polydor 2391 215 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Spring Records SP-1-6709 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Spring Records 2391215 / Spring Records 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2391 215First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6709 / Spring Records SP 1 6709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6709First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Spring Records SP-1-6709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Southbound SEW 032LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Free And In Love are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1976 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Spring Records SP-1-6709, released April 1, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-1-6709, 2391 215, 2391215, 2391 215 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-16709-A-mw-EX MR △20485(2) STERLING and SP-16709-B-mw-EX MR △20485-X(2) STERLING. 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.
