Vinyl pressings
by South Shore Commission · 1975
Free Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 8 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.
S51330A-Side Label
S51325B-Side Label
S51330-1F SHELLY TM/JR 3-21-75 43660A-Side Etching
S51325-1F SHELLY TM/JR 3-21-7543685 ƧB-Side Etching
S51325-1C PP TM/JREtched on A-side
S51330-1C PP TM/JREtched on B-side
S 51325Printed on A-side label
S 51330Printed on B-side label
S51330A Side label
S51325B Side label
S51330-1B TM/JR LatheEtched Side A
S51325-1A TM/JREtched Side B
S51330Label side A
S51325Label side B
S51330Label side A
S51325Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Wand WND 11287First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | France | Vogue 45. S. 12139 / Vogue 45. S. 12 139First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | Scepter Records M 25.664First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Greece | Philips 6071702First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Japan | Scepter Records UP-492-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Panama | Onda Nueva Records 1631First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Pye International 7N 25688First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Pye International 7N 25688First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Pye International 7N 25688First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Pye International 7N 25688First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | US | Wand WND11287 / Wand WND 11287First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Wand WND 11287First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Wand WDJ-11287First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Wand WND 11287First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1975 | US | Wand WND-11287First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | US | Wave Classics WC 50009-112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1996 | US | Wave Classics WC 50009-112", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Half Moon Records HM-001 / Scepter Records HM-00112", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Free Man are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1975 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Wand WND11287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WND11287, WND 11287, WND-11287, WDJ-11287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S51330 and S51325. 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.
