Vinyl pressings
by The Impressions · 1969
The Versatile Impressions 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.
5 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 2 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.
ABCS-668-A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K TSM LWRunout side A, variant 1
ABCS-668-B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K TƧM LWRunout side B, variant 1
ABCS-668-A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K LWRunout side A, variant 2
ABCS-668-B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K TSM LWRunout side B, variant 2
ABCS-668-A [Randy Kling's signature] LWRunout side A
ABCS-668-B [Randy Kling's signature] LWRunout side B
ABCS-668-ALabel side A
ABCS-668-BLabel side B
ST1 92019 W1 #1 oRunout side A, etched
ST2 92019 W2 #1 oRunout side B, etched
ST 1-92019Matrix side A
ST 2-92019Matrix side B
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 | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3554First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | ABC Records ABCS-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | ABC Records ABCS-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | ABC Records ABCS-668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | ABC Records ST-92019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | ABC Records ABCS-668LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1976 | US | Pickwick SPC-3554LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3554LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3554LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Pickwick SPC-3554LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records ABCS-668LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of The Versatile Impressions are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1969 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada. One of them is ABC Records ABCS-668.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCS-668, ST-92019, SPC-3554) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABCS-668-A ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K TSM LW and ABCS-668-B ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K TƧM LW. 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.
