Vinyl pressings
by Rare Bird · 1972
Epic Forest was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
2442101 A//1 1 1 2Side A Variant 1, stamped
24421021 B//1 1 1 2Side B Variant 1, stamped: Third "2" is crossed off and the second "1" is hand etched
2442101 A//1 1 1 3Side A Variant 2, stamped
24421021 B//1 1 1 3Side B Variant 2, stamped: Third "2" is crossed off and the second "1" is hand etched
2442101 A//1 11 3Side A runout
2442102̶1 B//1 11 3Side B runout
PD 5530-A-1C (MR) Δ17819 (2) STERLINGA runout
PD 5530-B-1C (MR) Δ17819-X (1) STERLINGB runout
PD 5530 AA label
PD 5530 BB label
PD-5530-A-1A STERLING IAMSide A runout
PD-5530-B-1ASide B runout
PD-5530-A-1A IAM STERLINGSide A runout, etched except IAM (in triangle) and STERLING stamped, Variant 2
PD-5530-B-1A IAMSide B runout, etched excexcept IAM (in triangle) stamped, Variant 2
STERLING PD-5530-A-1BRunout side A
STERLING 66 PD-5530-B-1BRunout side B
PD 5530 ALabel side A
PD 5530 BLabel side B
STERLING PD-5530-A-1BRunout side A
STERLING PD-5530-B-1BRunout side B
PD 5530 ALabel side A
PD 5530 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2679 018 / Polydor 2478 057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2478058First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Israel | Polydor 2478 057First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2442 101 / Polydor 2814-011First yearLP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM | LP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2442 101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2442 101 / Polydor 2814 011LP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, All Media, Album, Deluxe Edition, Repress, Stereo | LP, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, All Media, Album, Deluxe Edition, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2442 101 / Polydor 2814-101LP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | LP, Album, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2442 101 / Polydor 2814 011LP, Album, Stereo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530 / Polydor 2383 151First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530 / Polydor 2383 151First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530 / Polydor PD-5530First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530 / Polydor PD-5530First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 5530 / Polydor 2383 151First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2679 018LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
16 vinyl pressings of Epic Forest are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Germany, Israel. One of them is Polydor 2442 101.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2442 101, PD 5530, 2679 018, 2478 057) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2442101 A//1 1 1 2 and 24421021 B//1 1 1 2. 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.
