Vinyl pressings
by Spirit · 1973
Spirit was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
P AL 31458-1A P oA side runout stamped, variant 1
P BL-31458-1A P oB side runout stamped, variant 1
P AL 31459-1B o PC side runout stamped, variant 1
P BL-31459-1D PD side runout stamped, variant 1
o P AL 31458-3A 1TSide A runout, stamped ["1T" is etched], variant 1
o P BL 31458-1B 1TSide B runout, stamped ["1T" is etched], variant 1
o P AL 31459-1B 1TSide C runout, stamped ["1T" is etched], variant 1
o P BL 34159-1B 1TSide D runout, stamped ["1T" is etched], variant 1
o P AL 31458-1A S A4Runout side A, variant 1
o P BL-31458-1A S A4Runout side B, variant 1
o P AL 31459-1B S 2Runout side C, variant 1
o P BL-31459-1D S A \Runout side D, variant 1
A MX169984 ELPS3675-1Runout side A stamped
A MX169985 ELPS3675-2Runout side B stamped
A MX169986 ELPS3675-3Runout side C stamped
A MX169987 ELPS3675-4Runout side Dstamped
EAL-31458-1A C2-HD DELRunout Side A
EBL-31458-1A C2-HD DELRunout Side B
EAL-31459-1A C2-HD DELRunout Side C
EBL-31459-1A C2-HD DELRunout Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Epic 2ELPS-0010 / Epic 2ELPS 0010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic KEG 31457First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic KEG 31457First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 67263 / Epic (KGE 31457)(from 65015)First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KEG 31457First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KEG 31457 / Epic PEG 31457LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KEG 31457First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Epic KEG 31457First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KEG 31457 / Epic PEG 31457LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Epic EPC 67263LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | Epic KEG 31457 / Epic PEG 31457LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Epic PEG 31457LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Epic KEG 31457 / Epic E 31458/59LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Spirit are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1973 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Epic KEG 31457.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KEG 31457, 2ELPS-0010, EPC 67263) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 31458-1A P o and P BL-31458-1A P o. 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.
