Vinyl pressings
by Shuggie Otis · 1971
Freedom Flight 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.
5 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.
PAL 30752 1-CSide A, Etched [Var 1]
PBL 30752 1-CSide B, Etched [Var. 1]
o PAL 30752 1-C A1Side A, Etched exc. o A1, stamped [Var. 2]
o PBL 30752 1-C VSide B, Etched exc. o V, stamped [Var. 2]
PAL 30752 1-A T1 oSide A runout variant 1
PBL 30752 1-A T1 oSide B runout variant 1
PAL 30752 1-C T oSide A runout variant 2
PBL 30752 1-2 T1 oSide B runout variant 2
/ PAL 30752 1-B ASide A runout
S / PBL 30752 1-B o A2Side B runout
AL 30752Side A label
BL 30752Side B label
S 26566 - A [Unidentified signature]Runout side A
S 26566 - B [Unidentified signature]Runout side B
BN 26566-1Label side A
BN 26566-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Epic E 30752First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Epic BN 26566First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Epic E 30752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Epic E 30752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Epic E 30752First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Epic BN 26566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic EPIA 53026LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic EPIA 53026LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Venezuela | CBS CS-97.206LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1973 | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1973 | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1339 / Epic MOVLP1339LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | 8th Records ETH743879 / Epic P743879LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Epic 19439882051 / Epic GET 51457-LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | USA & Europe | Get On Down 19439882061 / Epic GET 51457-LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic P 743879LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| ? | US | Epic E 30752LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Freedom Flight are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1971 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Epic E 30752.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E 30752, BN 26566) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 30752 1-C and PBL 30752 1-C. 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.
