Vinyl pressings
by R. Dean Taylor · 1970
I Think, Therefore I Am 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 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.
HS-1819-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶ Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶1̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶Runout A etch / Z4RS... stamped
HS-1820-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶ Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶2̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶Runout B etch / Z4RS... stamped
HS-1819-3Matrix A, on label
HS-1920-3Matrix B, on label
̶Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶1̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶ HS 1819-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 ̶R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶Runout side A
̶Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶2̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶ HS 1820-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 ̶R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶Runout side B
HS 1819-3Label side A
HS 1820-3Label side B
Z4RS-5121-1 HS 1819-3Runout, side A, variant 1
Z4RS-5122-1 HS 1820-3Runout, side B, variant 1
Z4RS-5121-1 HS 1̶8̶2̶0̶-̶3̶ 1819-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I A 4 RS-522Runout, side A, variant 2
Z4RS-5122-1 HS 1820-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I L 4 A RS-522Runout, side B, variant 2
Z4RS-5121-1 B HSide One, stamped
HS-1819-3 RS-522 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide One, etched
Z4RS-5122-1 B HSide Two, stamped
HS-1820-3 RS-523 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide Two, etched
Z4RS-5121-1 HS1819-3Matrix A, on label
Z4RS-5122-1 HS1820-3Matrix B, on label
Z4RS-5121-1 CSide One: Stamped
RS-522 HS 1819 -3Side One: Etched
Z4RS-5122-1 CSide Two: Stamped
RS-522 HS 1820 -3Side Two: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO-10062First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Rare Earth RS 522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Rare Earth SWG-7511First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STMLM.6080First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Rare Earth RS522 / Rare Earth RS 522First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Rare Earth RS522 / Rare Earth RS-522First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Rare Earth RS522 / Rare Earth RS 522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Rare Earth RS522 / Rare Earth R 522First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Rare Earth RS522 / Rare Earth R 522First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11185 / Tamla Motown IE 062 ◦ 92591LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Rare Earth RSL ST 61004 / Rare Earth RS522LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Rare Earth 1 C 062-92 591LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Mexico | Tamla Motown STAM-284LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of I Think, Therefore I Am are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is Rare Earth RS522, released December 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS522, STMLO-10062, RS 522, STMLM.6080) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HS-1819-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶ Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶1̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶ and HS-1820-3 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 12-14-70 R̶S̶-̶5̶2̶2̶ Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶5̶1̶2̶2̶-̶1̶ ̶D̶. 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.
