Vinyl pressings
by Terry Reid · 1973
River 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.
ST-A-732763A ATGP PR △ 17726(1)Side A etched runout
ST-A-732764A ATGP PR △17726-XSide B etched runout
ST-A-732763 PRSide A label
ST-A-732764 PRSide B label
ST-A-732763AAA-1 AT GP PR DSide A etched runout
ST-A-732764AAA-1 AT GP PR DSide B etched runout
ST-A-732763RISide A label
ST-A-732764RISide B label
ST-A-732763AA ATGP △17726(1) PRSide A, runout, etched
ST-A-732764A ATGP △17726-X (1) PRSide B, runout, etched
ST-A-732763AA HTGP △17726(1) PRSide A, runout, etched (variant)
ST-A-732764AA HTGP △17726(1) PRSide B, runout, etched (variant)
ST-A-732763A - AT GP PRSide A runout
ST-A-732764A AT GP PRSide B runout
ST-A-732763 PRSide A label
ST-A-732764 PRSide B label
K 40340 A1A Side Stamped
K 40340 B1B Side Stamped
RAYSA Side Etched
K 40340 A1 RAYSSide A runout, variant 1
K 40340 B1Side B runout, variant 1
K 40340 A1 3 A RAYSSide A runout, variant 2
K 40340 B1 5 ASide B runout, 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 | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 340 / Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 340 / Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 7259 / Atlantic SD7259First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Atlantic K 40340First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1973 | UK | Atlantic K 40340 / Atlantic SD 7259First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M108LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Russia | Endless Happiness HE73011LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
13 vinyl pressings of River are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 7259.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 7259, K 40340, ATL 40 340) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-732763A ATGP PR △ 17726(1) and ST-A-732764A ATGP PR △17726-X. 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.
