Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible String Band · 1970
U was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
2409001 A ∇ 2 12 1Side A runout stamped, variant 1
2409001 B// 3 1 1 1Side B runout stamped, variant 1
2409002 A ∇ 1 11 4Side C runout stamped, variant 1
2409002 B//1 11 2Side D runout stamped, variant 1
7E-2002-A CSM IB SterlingSide A, etched (Sterling stamped)
7E-2002-B CSM SterlingSide B, etched (Sterling stamped)
7E-2002-C CSM IA SterlingSide C, etched (Sterling stamped)
7E-2002-D CSM IB SterlingSide D, etched (Sterling stamped)
T| 7E-2002 A-1 CTH STERLING RLSide A runout
T| 7E-2002 B-1 CTH STERLINGSide B runout
T | 7E-2002 C-1 CTH STERLINGSide C runout
T | 7E-2002 D-1 CTH STERLINGSide D runout
7E-2002-A CP STERLINGA-Side runout, variant 1
7E-2002-B-1CP STERLINGB-Side runout, variant 1
7E-2002 C-1CP STERLINGC-Side runout, variant 1
7E-2002 D-CP STERLINGD-Side runout, variant 1
7E-2002 A-1 CP
7E-2002 B-1 CP
7E-2002 C-1 CP
7E-2002 D-1 CP
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Elektra AK 2/38 / Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Elektra NELP 078/79 / Elektra DELP 078First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Elektra NELP 078/79LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1970 | US | Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | US | Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Elektra 7E-2002First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | UK | Elektra 2665 001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Elektra 62002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Elektra 62 002 / Elektra ELK 62 002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | Elektra 7E-2002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra SJET-8315-6LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K62002 / Elektra K 62002LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1972 | UK | Elektra K62002 / Elektra K 62002LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 62002LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 62002LP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Elektra 7E-2002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Elektra AK 2/38 / Elektra 7E-2002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | Elektra 62002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of U are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Elektra 2665 001, released July 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2665 001, 7E-2002, AK 2/38, NELP 078/79) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2409001 A ∇ 2 12 1 and 2409001 B// 3 1 1 1. 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.
