Vinyl pressings
by Sandy Bull · 1969
E Pluribus Unum was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
o XSV144550-1C V SD 6513 A p A 1Side A stamped (variant 1)
o VSD-6513B XSV144551-1C 1 p B 3Side B stamped (variant 1)
o XSV144550-1B V SD 6513 A | A 3Side A stamped (variant 2)
o XSV144551-1B V SD 6513 B | A 2Side B stamped (variant 2)
XSV144550-1B V SD 6513 A 1 S A3 oRunout A
XSV144551-1B V SD 6513 B 1 S A2 oRunout B
XSV 144550Label A
XSV 144551Label B
XSV144550-1A VSD 6513 A P A 2Side A Stamped
0 VSD-6513B XSV144551-1C P B 2Side B Stamped
SVRL 19040 1Y//1 420 11 1A-side runout, stamped
SVRL 19040 2Y//1 420 11 2B-side runout, stamped
SVRL 19040 1YA-side label
SVRL 19040 2YB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Vanguard VSD 6513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Vanguard 19 011First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Vanguard SVRL 19040 / Vanguard SVRL.19040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-6513 / Vanguard VSD 6513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-6513LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-6513 / Vanguard VSD 6513First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-6513 / Vanguard VSD 6513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | Vanguard 1 C 052-91 292LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Sutro Park SP1002LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Vanguard VSD•6513 / Vanguard VSD 6513LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Vanguard VSD - 6513LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of E Pluribus Unum are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1969 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, France. One of them is Vanguard VSD-6513.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD-6513, SVRL 19040, VSD 6513, 19 011) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o XSV144550-1C V SD 6513 A p A 1 and o VSD-6513B XSV144551-1C 1 p B 3. 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.
