Vinyl pressings
by The Impressions · 1975
First Impressions 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.
10 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 8 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.
S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1A A3Runout A, variant 1
S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1B A5Runout B, variant 1
1 S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1A A2Runout A, variant 2
1 S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1B A4Runout B, variant 2
Cu-5003 T \ 41100-RE1-1A A 3Runout side A, etched (variant 1)
T \ Cu-5003 41101-RE1-1B A 2Runout side B, etched (variant 1)
Cu-5003 T\ 41100-RE1-1A B 5Runout side A, etched (exc. "B" stamped; variant 2)
T\ Cu-5003 41101-RE1-1B B 4Runout side B, etched (exc. "B" stamped; variant 2)
CU-5003 41100-RE1-A̶ PRunout side A, etched
CU-5003 41101-RE1-A̶ PRunout side B, etched
(S41,100)Label side A
(S41,101)Label side B
K·56143·A2 ALLENSide A Runout
K·56143·B1Side B Runout
K 56143 ASide A Label
K 56143 BSide B Label
MX175754
MX175755
S46100-1A-2G:Side A runout
S46101-1A-2G:Side B runout
S41,100 RE-1Side A label
S41,101 RE-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records CU 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Curtom CU 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Curtom W 56143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Turkey | Warner Bros. Records K 56134 / Warner Bros. Records 673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Curtom K 56143First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Curtom CU 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Curtom CU 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Curtom CU 5003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Curtom P-10042WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Curtom / Continental 3-01-404-077LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Chile | Astral CU 5003 / Warner Bros. Records CU 5003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | RSO RSS 009 / Curtom RSS 009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RSO RS-1-3054LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | US | RSO RS-1-3054 / RSO 2394 232LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of First Impressions are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1975 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Curtom CU 5003, released June 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CU 5003, K 56143, WB 56 143, W 56143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1A A3 and S CU-5003 41100-RE1-1B A5. 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.
