Vinyl pressings
by Spirit · 1973
The Best Of 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.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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 P AL-32271-1ARunout side A, stamped, variant 1
P BL 32271-1A PRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
0 P AL-32271-1C PRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
0 P BL-32271-1C PRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
o P AL-32271-1B 1T CRunout A stamped, 1T etched [variant 1]
o P BL 32271-1D 12 1T BRunout B stamped, 1T etched [variant 1]
o P AL-32271-1B 1T C 20Runout A stamped, 1T, 20 etched [variant 2]
o P BL 32271-1D 12 1T BRunout B, stamped, 1T etched [variant 2]
0 P AL-32271-1C 1 C 2 DRunout side A, stamped
0 P BL-32271-1C 2 A17Runout side B, stamped
P AL-32271-1ARunout side A, stamped variant 2
P BL-32271-1DRunout side B, stamped variant 2
o P AL-32271-1C I B̷ ARunout Side A
o P BL 32271-1C I S A4Runout Side B
AL 32271Matrix side A, on label
BL 32271Matrix side B, on label
EPC S 65585 A1 Λ 4Side A, runout, stamped, variant 1
EPC S 65585 B1 ∴ 1Side B, runout, stamped, variant 1
EPC S 65585 A1 5 ΛSide A, runout, stamped, variant 2
EPC S 65585 B2 5 ΛSide B, runout, stamped, variant 2
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 ELPS 3669First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic KE 33271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic KE 33271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic KE 32271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Europe | Epic EPC 65585First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Epic SBPC 474138First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Epic EPC 65585 / Epic S EPC 65585First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KE 32271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Epic KE 32271First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KE 32271First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Epic KE 32271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Epic FRM-32271 / Friday Music FRM-32271LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2019 | Europe | Epic KE 32271 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP2386LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Epic KE 33271LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Epic EPC 32516LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic PE 32271LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Epic KE 32271LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic 32271 / Epic KE 32271LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic KE 32271LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic 32271 / Epic KE 32271LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Spirit are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic KE 32271.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KE 32271, EPC 65585, ELPS 3669, KE 33271) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P P AL-32271-1A and P BL 32271-1A P. 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.
