Vinyl pressings
by Tom Paxton · 1973
New Songs For Old Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
K 44237 A1 2 'RAYS' VSide A stamped, exc. 'RAYS' etched, variant 1
K̶ ̶4̶4̶2̶3̶7̶ K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K̶ ̶4̶4̶2̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K44237 B1 3 VSide B stamped, exc. strike-through lines etched, variant 1
K 44237 A1 C 2 'RAYS' ISide A, variant 2
K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ [backwards] K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ [7 over stamped] K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K44237 B1 1 C : .Side B, variant 2
K 44237 AI .. . 0 'RAYS' .:Side A
K̶ ̶4̶423̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ [7 over stamped] K 44237 BI .. DSide B
MS-2144 31597-1 2Runout Side I
MS-2144 31598-1 1Runout Side II
31,597Label Side I, in parentheses
31,598Label Side II, in parentheses
P MS-2144 31597-1 ARunout side A
P MS-2144 31598-1 ARunout side B
31,597Label side A
31,598Label side B
7 \ MS-2144 31597-A-1A A1Side A runout
Ƨ l S-2144 31598-1-B-1A A1Side B runout
31,597Label Side I, in parentheses
31,598Label Side II, in parentheses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 44 237 / Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS2144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Reprise Records HRES 291-51First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records K 44237First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records K 44237 / Elektra K 42139First yearLP, Mispress | LP, Mispress |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records REP 44 237 / Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records MS 2144First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of New Songs For Old Friends are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records K 44237.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 44237, REP 44 237, MS 2144, RS2144) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 44237 A1 2 'RAYS' V and K̶ ̶4̶4̶2̶3̶7̶ K̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K̶ ̶4̶4̶2̶3̶7̶ ̶B̶1̶ K44237 B1 3 V. 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.
