Vinyl pressings
by The Jaggerz · 1970
The Rapper 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.
24 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 18 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.
ARP STERLING KA 502 ASide A runout, variant 1
ARP KA 502 BSide B runout, variant 1
ARP STERLING LH KA 502 ASide A runout, variant 2
ARP KA 502 BSide B runout, variant 2
P KA 502 A STERLING LHRunout side A
P KA 502 BRunout side B
KA 502 ALabel side A
KA 502 BLabel side B
KA 502 A SON S-188Runout A etched
KA 502 B SON STERLING S-189Runout A etched except STERLING stamped
(KA 502 A)Label A
(KA 502 B)Label B
KA-502-A-1B PA side etching, variant 1
KA-502-B-1B LH S1B side etching, variant 1
KA-502-A 1A ⏂ #11A side etching, variant 2
KA 502 B-1B LH S1B side etching, variant 2
P KA 502 A STERLING LH 3Runout side A
P KA 502 B 1Runout side B (Variant 1)
P KA 502 B 2Runout side B (Variant 2)
KA 502 ALabel side A
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 | Australia | Kama Sutra KAM-003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Belgium | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Belgium | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Brazil | Kama Sutra KSCS 22.012First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Kama Sutra KA. 502XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Costa Rica | Polydor 2061First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | France | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Greece | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Italy | Kama Sutra KMS - NP 77501 / Kama Sutra KMS NP 77501First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Mexico | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Kama Sutra 2013002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Norway | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | South Africa | Kama Sutra PS 84First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | Kama Sutra 2013 002First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Kama Sutra KA 502First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Kama Sutra KA 5027", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| ? | Venezuela | Buddah Records 6017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of The Rapper are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Kama Sutra KA 502, released January 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KA 502, 618030, 2013 002, LL-2355-KS) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP STERLING KA 502 A and ARP KA 502 B. 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.
