Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible String Band · 1972
Earthspan was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
ILPS 9211 A-1USide A runout variant 1
ILPS 9211 B-1USide B runout variant 1
ILPS 9211 A-1U A 1Side A runout variant 2
ILPS 9211 B-1U GA 1Side B runout variant 2
ILPS 9211 A-1UStamped
ILPS 9211 B3Handwritten
MS-2122 31518-1> (variant 1)Side A runout, etched
MS-2122 31519-1> (variant 1)Side B runout, etched
MS-2122-A 31518-1B> A2 (variant 2)Side A runout, etched
MS-2122-B 31519-1A> A2 (variant 2)Side B runout, etched
ᴘ MS-2122 31518-1 > Ʌ 1Side A runout
MS-2122 31519-S̷ > Ʌ 1Side B runout
31,518Side A label
31,519Side B label
MS 2122 (31,518Side A Matrix
MS 2122 (31,159)Side B Matrix
MS-2122-A 31518-1A > A3 S1Side A runout
MS-2122-B31519-1A > B2 S1Side B runout
T1MS-2122 31518-1-1>Side A runout etched
MS-2122 T1 31519-1-1>Side B runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Island Records IL.34776LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1972 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Denmark | Island Records ILPS 9211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Island Records 86 429 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Island Records 86.429-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9211First yearLP, Mispress | LP, Mispress |
| 1972 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9211LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records MS 2122First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records MS 2122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records MS 2122 / Reprise Records 5122First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records MS 2122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records MS 2122First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Island Records 86.429-ILP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Earthspan are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9211.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9211, MS 2122, ILPS 19211, 86 429 IT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9211 A-1U and ILPS 9211 B-1U. 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.
