Vinyl pressings
by The Fifth Dimension · 1975
Earthbound was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
ABCD-897-A ⑥ >Runout Side A, variant 1
ABCD-897-B ⑤ >Runout Side B, variant 1
ABCD- 897- A - ARE-I ②A-side runout etched, variant 2
ABCD- 897 -B ② A 4 ✔ 5B-side runout etched, variant 2
ABCD-897-A RE-1 ⑦Runout A - Variant 1
ABCD-897-B ⑦ 6-12-75Runout B - Variant 1
ABCD-897-A RE-1 ⑧Runout A - Variant 2
ABCD-897-B ⑧7 6-12-75Runout B - Variant 2
1 S ABCD-897-A- A RE-1 A 2Runout A - Variant 1
1 S ABCD-897-B (2 INSIDE A CIRCLE)Runout B - Variant 1
R121719ARunout Side A, variant 1
R121719BRunout Side B, variant 1
ABCD-897-ALabel Side A
ABCD-897-BLabel Side B
ABCD-897-A 1B RE-1 ① ARunout A Side etched
ABCD-897-B ② ARunout B Side etched
T1 ABCD-897-A RE-1 ➃ A 3Side A runout variant
T1 ABCD-897-B ➂ > A 3Side B runout variant
ABCD-897-A 1B RE-1 ① ARunout Side A
ABCD-897-B ② ARunout Side B
T1 ABCD-897-A RE-1 ➃ A 3Runout Side A variant
T1 ABCD-897-B ➂ > A 3Runout Side B variant
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia & New Zealand | ABC Records ABCD-897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | ABC Records ABCD-897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | ABC Records ABCD-897LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Germany | ABC Records 89619 XOTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 402First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Probe IPS-80307First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Probe IPS-80307First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Mexico | ABC Records EDI-60221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Philippines | Probe ABCD-897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5135First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABCD-897First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABCD-897 / ABC Records ABCD 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABCD-897First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABCD-897First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | ABC Records ABCD-897 / ABC Records ABCD 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
22 vinyl pressings of Earthbound are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1975 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD-897, released July 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD-897, ABCL 5135, 89619 XOT, ABC 402) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABCD-897-A ⑥ > and ABCD-897-B ⑤ >. 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.
