Vinyl pressings
by Milt Jackson · 1967
Born Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 2 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.
LS 86045A - M2 C1Side A runout, variant 1
LS 86045B - M1 - C71Side B runout, variant 1
LS 86045A- M2 D1Side A runout, variant 2
LS 86045B- M1 - D 111Side B runout, variant 2
2/86045 A1 MR 1Runout A stamped / etched
2/86045 B1 MR 1Runout B stamped / etched
2/86045 A 1Side A
2/86045 B 1Side B
2/86045 A 1 MR 1Runout side 1
2/86045 B 1 MR 1Runout side 2
220 037 1Y//2∇420 1 1Runout side A
220 037 2Y//1∇420 1 1Runout side B
220 037 1YLabel side A
220 037 2YLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | UK | Limelight SLML 4028 / Mercury 220 037 LMYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Mercury LML.4028 / Limelight Series LML 4028First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Limelight LS86045 / Limelight LS-86045First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Limelight LM 82045First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Limelight LM-82045 / Limelight LM82045First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1967 | US | Limelight LS-86045First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | Canada | Mercury LM 82045LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Canada | Limelight LS 86045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Limelight LM 82045LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Canada | Limelight LS86045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Mercury SM-7251LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Limelight LS 86045 / Limelight LS86045LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Japan | Fontana BT-2004 / Limelight LS-86045LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Limelight LS 86045 / Limelight LS86045LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Born Free are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1967 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK. One of them is Limelight LS86045.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LS86045, LM 82045, LM-82045, LS-86045) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LS 86045A - M2 C1 and LS 86045B - M1 - C71. 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.
