Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible String Band · 1974
Hard Rope & Silken Twine was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, 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.
ILPS 9270 A-1USide A runout, variant 1
ILPS 9270 B-1USide B runout, variant 1
ILPS 9270 A-1U R 1Side A runout, variant 2
ILPS 9270 B-1U GA 1Side B runout, variant 2
MS 2198 31777-1ARunout side A variant 1
MS 2198 31778-1CRunout side B variant 1
MS 2198 31777-1B SX B1 \Runout side A variant 2
MS 2198 31778-1C SX C2 \Runout side B variant 2
MS 2198 31777 - 1ASide 1 Etched
MS 2198 31778 - 1CSide 2 Etched
S1 MS 2198 31777-18 A1XSide A Etched
S1 MS 2198 31778-1C A1Side B Etched
S MS 2198 31777 - 1ASide A etched in runout
MS 2198 31778 - 1C SXSide B etched in runout
(Side A, etched): MS 2198 31777-1A
(Side B, etched): MS 2198 31778-1C
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records L35150 / Island Records ILPS 9270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Island Records 87 704 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Island Records L 35150 / Festival Records L 35150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Island Records 87704-I / Island Records 87.704-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | Island Records 87704-I / Island Records 87.704-IFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records MS 2198 / Island Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records MS 2198LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records PRO 589First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Reprise Records MS 2198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19270LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 87704-I / Island Records 87.704-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Hard Rope & Silken Twine are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9270, released March 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9270, MS 2198, PRO 589, L35150) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9270 A-1U and ILPS 9270 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.
