Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible String Band · 1971
Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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 9172 A-1U T1Variant 1, side A runout
ILPS 9172 B-1UVariant 1, side B runout
ILPS 9172 A-1UVariant 2, side A runout
ILPS 9172 B-1UVariant 2, side B runout
ILPS 9172 A-1U GT 2Side A Stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9172 B-1U GL 1Side B Stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9172 A-1U RO 2Side A Stamped, Variant 2
ILPS 9172 B-1U GL 1Side B stamped, Variant 2
Made In Germany C 85749 A3Runout, stamped, Side A Variant 1
Made In Germany C 85749 B2Runout, stamped, Side B Variant 1
Made In Germany C 85749 A-5Runout, stamped, Side A Variant 2
Made In Germany C 85749 B-2Runout, stamped, Side B Variant 2
ILPS 9172-1Runout side A etched
ILPS 9172-2Runout side B etched
85749-L-ASide A
85749-L-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Elektra EKS-74112First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1971 | Denmark | Island Records ILPS 9172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Island Records 85 749 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Island Records ILPS 9172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Island Records ILPS 9172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Island Records 85.749-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9172First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9172LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra EKS-74112LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra EKS-74112LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELLP - 503LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9172LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Island Records 85.749.L / Island Records 85.749-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-74112LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Spain | Island Records 85749-I / Island Records 85.749-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | Island Records 85749L / Island Records 85.749-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Island Records ORL 8501LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Elektra EKS-74112 / Elektra EKS.74112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 85.749.L / Island Records 85.749-ILP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 85.749-1LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1971 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9172, 85 749 IT, 85.749-I, EKS-74112) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9172 A-1U T1 and ILPS 9172 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.
