Vinyl pressings
by Richie Havens · 1980
Connections was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
B 14683 6E242 A4 AR TD Junl O-2 SM 2-1Side A runout, variant 1
6E242 B SPSide B runout, variant 1
B 14683 6E242 A4 AR TD Junl O-2 SM 2-3Side A runout, variant 2
6E242 B SPSide B runout, variant 2
6E 242 A4 AR TD JWNL 0-2 SM-2-1 B14683Etched in runout, Side A
6E 242 B SP 1-3Etched in runout, Side B
6E-242-A-SPPrinted on label, Side A
6E-242-B-SPPrinted on label, Side B
B14683 6E242 A4 AR TDJUN4A Side Runout, Etched
B14684 6E242B-3 ARB Side Runout, Etched
6E-242-A (AR) FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLYA Side Label
6E-242-B (AR) FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLYB Side Label
OR MX191561 6E242-1Side A
OR MX191562 6E242-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Elektra 208812First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Argentina | Elektra 208812First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra 6E-242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Elektra 32.046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 52186 / Elektra ELK 52 186First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 52186First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Italy | Elektra W 52186First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10810EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10810EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Elektra S 90.269 / Hispavox S 90.269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Elektra S 90.269First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 186 / Elektra 6E-242LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Elektra ELK 52 186LP | LP |
26 vinyl pressings of Connections are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-242.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-242, 208812, 32.046, ELK 52 186) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B 14683 6E242 A4 AR TD Junl O-2 SM 2-1 and 6E242 B SP. 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.
