Vinyl pressings
by Roger Williams · 1966
Born Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1966, 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.
K 10128Run-out etching side A, variant 1
K 9888Run-out etching side B, variant 1
K 10128 TIRun-out etching side A, variant 2
K 9888 TIIRun-out etching side B, variant 2
K 10128-12A runout, variant 1
K 9888-13B runout, variant 1
p K-10128-12A runout, variant 2
p K-9888-8B runout, variant 2
p K 10128 1Run-out side A
p K 9888 1Run-out side B
K-10128Label A
K-9888Label B
K 10128-6 SRunout Side A Etched
K 9888-6 SRunout Side B Etched
K-10128Side A Label
K-9888Side B Label
MSV.7602
MSV.7603
MSV-7602-1TSide A Runout
MSV-7603-1TSide B Runout
MSV.7602Side A Label
MSV.7603Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Kapp Records K-4082First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Kapp Records K 767First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | London Records HLR 10077 / London American Recordings HLR 10077First year7" | 7" |
| 1966 | US | Kapp Records K-767First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Kapp Records K-767First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Kapp Records K-767First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Kapp Records K-767First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1966 | UK | London Records HLR 10077 / London American Recordings HLR 10077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Costa Rica | Kapp Records K-7677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Mexico | Kapp Records K 20147", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Kapp Records K7677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | London Records PD.91437" · Colored vinyl | 7" · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of Born Free are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Kapp Records K-767.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K-767, HLR 10077, K-4082, K 767) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 10128 and K 9888. 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.
