Vinyl pressings
by The Sun Ra Arkestra · 1970
The Night Of The Purple Moon 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.
4 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year. 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.
172-A 16B El Saturn STEREOSide A Runout etched
172-B 16B STEREO El SaturnSide B Runout etched
IR1972-ASide A Label
IR1972-BSide B Label
1972 A STEREOSide A Runout etched
1972 B STEREOSide B Runout etched
IR1972-ASide A Label
IR1972-BSide B Label
172-A 16B El Saturn STEREOSide A Runout etched
172-B 16B STEREO El SaturnSide B Runout etched
IR1972-ASide A Label
IR1972-BSide B Label
172-A 16B El Saturn STEREOSide A Runout etched
172-B 16B STEREO El SaturnSide B Runout etched
IR1972-ASide A Label
IR1972-BSide B Label
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 | US | Thoth Intergalactic IR522 / Thoth Intergalactic IR1972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Saturn Research 522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Thoth Intergalactic IR522 / Thoth Intergalactic IR1972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | El Saturn Records IR522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Saturn Research 522LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1974 | US | El Saturn Records IR522LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | US | El Saturn Records IR522LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Impulse! ASD-9287LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | US | Saturn Research LP522LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | El Saturn ResearchLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Unknown | Not On LabelLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Saturn Research LP522LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | El Saturn Records IR522 / El Saturn Records #5221LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of The Night Of The Purple Moon are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1970 and 2002.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US. One of them is Thoth Intergalactic IR522.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IR522, 522) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 172-A 16B El Saturn STEREO and 172-B 16B STEREO El Saturn. 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.
