Vinyl pressings
by Mort Shuman · 1972
Amerika was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
6332 092 1 380Runout A side, variant 1
6332 092 2 380Runout B side, variant 1
6332 092 1 380 D22Runout A side, variant 2
6332 092 2 380 D15Runout B side, variant 2
6332 092 1 380 B11Runout stamped A side
6332 092 2 380 A32Runout stamped B side
6332-092A-2Y 1AA stamped
6332-092B-3Y 1AB stamped
6332-092A-2YA stamped
6332-092B-3YB stamped
6332-092A Y.C.A stamped
6332-092B Y.C.B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Philips 6332 092 / Philips 6332.092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Philips 6332 092 / Philips 6332.092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Philips 6332 092First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Philips 6332 092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Philips 6332 092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Philips 6332143LP | LP |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Philips 6332 143LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Philips PHS 700-005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Philips PHS 700-005LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Philips FDX-274LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 6325 220LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Philips 6332 092LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Philips 6332 092LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 6332 143LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Amerika are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in France, Canada. One of them is Philips 6332 092.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6332 092) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6332 092 1 380 and 6332 092 2 380. 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.
