Vinyl pressings
by Ralph Towner · 1974
Diary was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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-ECM 1032-ASide A Runout (Variation 1)
ST-ECM 1032-BSide B Runout (Variation 1)
ST-ECM 1032-A¹Side A Runout (Variation 2)
ST-ECM 1032-B¹Side B Runout (Variation 2)
ECM-1032-A2 390/5Runout A variant 1, etched
ECM-1032 B 390/5-BRunout B variant 1, etched
ECM-1032-A2 xx 390/5 PSRunout A variant 2
ECM-1032B [scratched out illegible] MO #3 xx 390/5-BRunout B variant 2
ECM-1-1032-AS-CP-4 MASTERDISK PSide A
ECM-1-1032-BS-CP-7 MASTERDISK 2 PSide B
ECM-1-1032-AS-CP-2 MASTERDISK PSide A Runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1032-BS-CP-7 MASTERDISK 2 PSide B Runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1032-AS-CP-6 MASTERDISKSide A Runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1032-BS-CP-6 MASTERDISKSide B Runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1032-AS-CP-2 MASTERDISK PSide A Runout
ECM-1-1032-BS-CP-4 MASTERDISK 0 PSide B Runout
ECM-1-1032 ASide A Label
ECM-1-1032 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1032 STFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1032 STLP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Japan | ECM Records PA-7090First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ECM Records ECM 1032 STFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ECM Records ECM 1032 STFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ECM Records ECM 1032 ST / ECM Records 2310 450First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ECM Records ECM 1032 STFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | ECM Records ECM-4007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | ECM Records PA-25521LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1032 STLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
11 vinyl pressings of Diary are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1974 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Germany, US, Japan. One of them is ECM Records ECM 1032 ST.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM 1032 ST, ECM-1-1032, PA-7090) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-ECM 1032-A and ST-ECM 1032-B. 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.
