Vinyl pressings
by The Tony Williams Lifetime · 1971
Ego 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.
14 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 8 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.
POLP 80199-1A I STERLINGA runout etched, except STERLING stamped
POLP 80200-1A STERLING 3 V LHB runout etched, except STERLING stamped
POLP 80199A label matrix
POLP 80200B label matrix
POLP 80199-1C MR ∆15878 STERLING LHA runout etched except MR (circled) and STERLING stamped
POLP 80199 80200-1C MR ∆15878-x STERLINGA runout etched except MR (circled) and STERLING stamped. 80199 is crossed out.
POLP 80199A label matrix
POLP 80200B label matrix
P POLP 80199-1A I STERLING 2Runout Side A
P POLP 80200-1A 2 STERLING LH 5 VRunout Side B
(POLP 80199)Label Side A
(POLP 80200)Label Side B
POLP 80199-IC 15878 SterlingRunout, side A, variant 1
POLP 80200-IC 15878-X SterlingRunout, side B, variant 1
POLP 80199-1C MR ∆15878 STERLING LHRunout, side A, variant 2
POLP 8̷0̷1̷9̷9̷ 80200-1C MR ∆15878-x STERLINGRunout, side B, variant 2
POLP 80199-IA (etched) Sterling A1 (stamped)Runout Side A
POLP 80200-IA (etched) Sterling A1 (stamped)Runout Side 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 | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Polydor MP 2191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Polydor 24-4065 / Polydor 2425 070First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Ego are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 24-4065.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24-4065, 2425 070, MP 2191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLP 80199-1A I STERLING and POLP 80200-1A STERLING 3 V LH. 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.
