Vinyl pressings
by Nancy Wilson · 1968
Easy was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, 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.
ST-1-2909-A1 ["IAM" in a triangle]Runout side A etched
ST-2-2909-A1 ["IAM" in a triangle]Runout side B etched
ST1-2909Side A label
ST2-2909Side B label
ST-1-2909 A-8Side A stamped (variant 1)
ST-2-2909 A-8Side B stamped (variant 1)
ST-1-2909-A-3- 1 ✲Side A runout; etched (variant 2)
ST-2-2909-A-3- 1 ✲Side B runout; etched (variant 2)
ST 1 2909 A4 0Side A etched
ST 2 2909 A4 0Side B etched
ST-1-2909 A1Side A stamped
ST-2-2909 A2Side B stamped
ST1 2909-A6 G 1Side A stamped runout
ST2 2909-A6 M 1Side B stamped runout
ST1-2909Side A label
ST2-2909Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Capitol Records T-2909First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Brazil | Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records T-2-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 74 448First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 74 448LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1968 | Japan | Capitol Records CP-8460 / Capitol Records ST-2909LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Colored vinyl |
| 1968 | Japan | Capitol Records CP-8460First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1968 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records T 2909First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records ST 2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST 2909 / Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST-2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST-2909 / Capitol Records ST2909First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S-5116 / World Record Club S-5116LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records SM-11802LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Easy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1968 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST 2909.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 2909, ST-2909, T 2909, T-2-2909) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-2909-A1 ["IAM" in a triangle] and ST-2-2909-A1 ["IAM" in a triangle]. 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.
