Vinyl pressings
by Nina Simone · 1970
Black Gold was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
XPRS- 7172 - - 1S A4A RVariant 1: side A runout
XPRS- 7173 - - 1S A8B RVariant 1: side B runout
XPRS- 7172 - - 4S A1A RVariant 2: side A runout
XPRS- 7172 - - 4S A8B RVariant 2: side B runout
XPRS-7172- - 3S HSide A runout
XPRS-7173- - 3S HSide B runout
XPRS-7172A label matrix
XPRS-7173B label matrix
XPRS-7172--2S IRunout Side A, var. 1
XPRS-7173--2S IRunout Side B, var. 1
XPRS-7172--2S I B4Runout Side A, var. 2
XPRS-7173-6S I B1Runout Side B, var. 2
XPRS- 7172 - - 1S C1 A RRunout, side A
XPRS- 7173 - - 1S A4D RRunout, side B
XPRS-7172Label, side A
XPRS-7173Label, side B
ZKAY 17118 1ASide A runout
ZKAY 17119 1ASide B runout
ZKAY 17118Label side A
ZKAY 17119Label side B
XPRS-7172--S2 B2A4Runout Side A
XPRS_7173_6S A1A1A2Runout Side B
XPRS-7172Label Side A
XPRS-7173Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | RCA Victor 740.679 / RCA Victor LSP 4.248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Netherlands | RCA SF 8142First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LSP 4248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | RCA Victor 38-174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | RCA Victor 38-462 / RCA Victor LSP 4248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | RCA Victor LSP-4248First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | RCA SHP-6180LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248 (XPRS-7173)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2011 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP195LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4248LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP195 / RCA LSP-4248LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | India | RCA Victor LSP-4248LP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of Black Gold are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1970 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Italy, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4248, released February 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4248, 740.679, SF 8142, LSP 4248) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XPRS- 7172 - - 1S A4A R and XPRS- 7173 - - 1S A8B R. 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.
