Vinyl pressings
by The Esso Trinidad Steel Band · 1971
Esso was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
T 1 WS-1917 39875-1-2 BGSide A runout etched
T 1 WS-1917 39876-1-2 BGSide B runout etched
S39875Side A label
S39876Side B label
WS-1917 39875-1-2 BGSide A runout etched
WS-1917 39876-1-2 BGSide B runout etched
S39875Side A label
S39876Side B label
Ƨ I WS-1917-A 30975-1B BG A 2A-Side Runout Etching
Ƨ I WS-1917-B-30976-1A BG A2B-Side Runout Etching
S39875A-Side Label
S39876B-Side Label
WS-1917-A 39875-1ASide A runout
WS-1917-B-39876-1ASide B runout
S39875Side A label
S39876Side B label
WS-1917-A 39875-1A BGSide A runout
WS-1917-B-39876-1A BGSide B runout
S39875Side A label
S39876Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 105First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records WS 1917LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Esso are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WS 1917.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS 1917, WB 46 105) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 1 WS-1917 39875-1-2 BG and T 1 WS-1917 39876-1-2 BG. 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.
