Vinyl pressings
by Ornette Coleman · 1970
The Art Of The Improvisers 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.
9 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 4 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-A-701965 AA AT MR aB Δ15031Runout etching side A
ST-A-701966 AA LW AT MR aB Δ15031X WRunout etching side B
ST-A-701965-MOLabel caption side A
ST-A-701966-MOLabel caption side B
ST-A-701965 A AT DR aB WRunout etching side A
ST-A-701966 A LW AT aB aB WRunout etching side B
ST-A-701965-PRLabel caption side A
ST-A-701966-PRLabel caption side B
ST.A.701965 A-1-1 AT AB WRunout side A
ST-A-701966B 1-1 AT JPRunout side B
ST-A-701965RILabel, side A
ST-A-701966RILabel, side B
ST-A701965-1A CTH 2 TRunout etching side A
ST-A701966-1A CTH 1 TRunout etching side B
ST-A-701965CTHLabel caption side A
ST-A-701966CTHLabel caption side B
ST·A · 70196E A AT aB WSide A runout
ST·A · 701966 - A Lw AT aB WSide B runout
ST-A-701965 PRLabel, side A
ST-A-701966 PRLabel, side B
A-13429 PRLabel, side A
A-13430 PRLabel, 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 | Canada | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Atlantic SD 1572 / Atlantic AST-ST 06091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9294First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic 1572First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1572First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Italy | Atlantic K 40112 / Atlantic SD 1572LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-8006ALP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-8006ALP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Atlantic 2400 109 / Atlantic 2400109LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Atlantic 2400109LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Atlantic 90978-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 40112 / Atlantic SD 1572LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1572LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of The Art Of The Improvisers are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Italy, South Africa. One of them is Atlantic SD 1572.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 1572, 1572, ATC 9294) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-701965 AA AT MR aB Δ15031 and ST-A-701966 AA LW AT MR aB Δ15031X W. 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.
