Vinyl pressings
by New England · 1980
Explorer Suite was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 5 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.
STERLINGSide A/B Runout - Stamped
6E-307 A 1AR SP 0-1SM1-2 B-15273Side A Runout - Etched, variant 1
6E-307 B2 SP (SRC logo, stamped) 1-3Side B Runout - Etched, variant 1
6E-307 A 2 SP SRC 1-1 STERLINGSide A Runout - Etched, variant 2
6E 307 A 1AR B-15273Side A Runout - Etched
6E 307 B 1AR B-15274Side B Runout - Etched
STERLINGSide A/B Runout - Stamped
6E 307 A2 SP [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLINGVariant 1: A-Side etch, exc "SRC" & "STERLING"
6E 307 B2 SP [SRC logo] 1-1SM1-1 STERLINGVariant 1: B-Side etch, exc "SRC" & "STERLING"
6E 307 A IAR B-15273 STERLING TJSide A runout
6E 307 B IAR B-15274-1 STERLING TJSide B runout
ELK 52269 A MT 410 W 212Runout Side 1, etched
ELK 52269 B MT 410 W 212Runout Side 2, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X6E-307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 52269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 52269First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10952EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10952EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Portugal | Elektra ELE 52269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-307First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-307First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Explorer Suite are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Canada, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-307.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-307, X6E-307, 52269, P-10952E) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING and 6E-307 A 1AR SP 0-1SM1-2 B-15273. 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.
