Vinyl pressings
by Ruth Copeland · 1971
I Am What I Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, 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.
SMAS-1-9802-F2 ─◁Runout side A, variant 1
SMAS-2-9802-F8 #2 ─◁Runout side B, variant 1
SMAS-1-9802-F2 #2─◁Runout side A, variant 2
SMAS-2-9802-F8 ─◁Runout side B, variant 2
SMAS 1 9802 F1² #1 0Side A runout etched, variant 1
SMAS 2 9802 F9 #1 0Side B runout etched, variant 1
SMAS 1 9802 F1² #1 0Side A runout etched, variant 2
SMAS 2 9802 F6 0Side A runout etched, variant 2
1-9802-F-4- ⥛ ✲Side A runout etched
2-9802-F-5- ⥛ ✲Side B runout etched
SMAS 1-9802Side A label
SMAS 2-9802Side B label
SMAS-1-9802-F2 ─◁Etched, Side A runout
SMAS-2-9802-F8 ─◁Etched, Side B runout
SMAS-1-9802Side A label matrix no.
SMAS-2-9802Side B label matrix no.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Invictus SIVL-934465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Invictus IZP-80468First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Invictus IZP-80468First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Invictus SMAS-9802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Invictus SMAS-9802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Invictus SMAS-9802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Invictus SMAS-9802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Invictus 2 C 062-93361 / Invictus 2 C 064-93.361LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Philippines | Invictus SMAS-9802LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Invictus 1 J 062-93.361LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Uruguay | Capitol Records ST 50541LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Japan | P-Vine Records PLP-6679LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Demon Records DEMREC393LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of I Am What I Am are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1971 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, Japan. One of them is Invictus SMAS-9802, released November 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMAS-9802, SIVL-934465, IZP-80468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMAS-1-9802-F2 ─◁ and SMAS-2-9802-F8 #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.
