Vinyl pressings
by The Classics IV · 1969
Traces was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
LP-12429-A-AEtched Side 1
LP-12429-2Etched Side 2
LP 12429 SIDE 1 I +I Λ1Side A runout; variant 2
LP 12429 SIDE 2-1 GP +I Λ2Side B runout; variant 2
LP-12429-1 114 AudioMatrixA Side Etch exc AudioMatrix stamp
LP-12429-2 114 AudioMatrixB Side Etch exc AudioMatrix stamp
LP-1-12429-1Side A etched
LP-1-12429-2 (2)Side B etched
\\4 3-21-69 LP 12429-1Side A runout, etched, variant 1
\\4 LP-12429-2 3-20-69Side B runout, etched, variant 1
LP 12429-1 / 3-21-69 XH ASide A runout, etched, variant 2
LP-12429-2 K 3-21-69Side B runout, etched, variant 2
LP 12429 SIDe 1 | +I A2A-Side Runout, Etched; "I" and "A2" are stamped
LP 12429 SIDe 2-1 GP +I A2B-Side Runout, Etched; "I" and "A2" are stamped
o T 1 LP 12429 SIDE 1 -1C ൫ A 1Side A, runout
LP-12429 SIDE 2 1B Ⓡ o A 3Side B, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Imperial SIRL-933,353 / Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Australia | Imperial IRL-33,353First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Canada | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Guatemala | Imperial LST-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Italy | Liberty LIB/LP 924First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Liberty LP-8726First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Japan | Liberty LP-8726First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Imperial SIRL-933,353 / Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Philippines | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2306LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Brazil | Liberty FLP-35077LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Venezuela | United Artists Records, Inc. LPS-88085LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Imperial GXC 69LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Imperial GXC 69LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Sunset Records SUS-96187 / Sunset Records SLS 9 6187LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Traces are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Australia, Canada, Guatemala and more. One of them is Imperial LP-12429.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP-12429, SIRL-933,353, IRL-33,353, LST-12429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP-12429-A-A and LP-12429-2. 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.
