Vinyl pressings
by Three Dog Night · 1974
Hard Labor was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 13 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.
DSD 50168 -A X MCREtched on Side A (Variant 1)
DSD 50168 -B XX MCREtched on Side B (Variant 1)
DSD 50168 -A XX MCREtched on Side A (Variant 2)
DSD 50168 -B-1 XX MCREtched on Side B (Variant 2)
DSD 50168-A 1A MCR B S1Runout side A, variant 1
DSD 50168-B 1A A2 S1Runout side B, variant 1
DSD 50168-A 1A MCR B2 S1Runout side A, variant 2
DSD 50168-B 1A B1 S1Runout side B, variant 2
DSD-50168-A-2 MCR B T1Side A runout
DSD 50168-B-3 MCR T1Side B runout
DSD-50168-ALabel side A
DSD-50168-BLabel side B
CQD-40014-ALabel A
CQD-40014-BLabel B
ABCL 5049 A-1UA side, stamped
ABCL 5049 B-1UB side, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Probe 6627First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | Probe DSD-50168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC Dunhill DSD 50168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC Dunhill DSD 50168LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | Canada | ABC Dunhill DSD 50168LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1974 | Germany | Probe 1C 062-95 359First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPP-81005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPZ-82001First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | Japan | Probe IPP-81005First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062-95359First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062-95359LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062-95359First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP 8052 / Probe PROLP.8052First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Probe SPB 3028First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | South Africa | Probe SPBJ (L) 8018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Hard Labor are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1974 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is ABC Dunhill DSD 50168.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSD 50168, CQD-40014, ABCL 5049, 6627) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSD 50168 -A X MCR and DSD 50168 -B XX MCR. 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.
