Vinyl pressings
by Tom Rush · 1968
The Circle Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 6 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.
EKS 74018 A (AL-1) AR230268Side A runout etched, var. 1
EKS-74018 B (AL-1) AR23 0268Side B runout etched, var. 1
EKS 74018A (AL-1) BRSide A runout etched, var. 2
EKS-74018B (AL-1) ARC 3-28-8 BRSide B runout etched, var. 2
EKS-74018A (MON-1) MR △11552
EKS 74018B (MON-1) MR △11552-X
T EKS-74018A (CTH-1)Etched Side A
T EKS-74018A (CTH-2)Etched Side B
EKS-74018-ALabel Side A
EKS-74018-BLabel Side B
EKS 74018 A (AL-1)Side A runout etched, var. 1
EKS-74018 B (AL-1)Side B runout etched, var. 1
EKS-74018-ALabel Side A
EKS-74018-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Elektra EKS 74 018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS 74018 / Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | UK | Elektra EKL 4018 / Elektra EKL- 4018First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Elektra EKS 74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Elektra EKS 74018 / Elektra EKL- 4018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Elektra EKS-74018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Elektra K 42018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Elektra EKS 74018 / Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Elektra EKS 74018LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra EKS-74018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Circle Game are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1968 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-74018.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-74018, EKL 4018, EKS 74018, EKS 74 018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS 74018 A (AL-1) AR230268 and EKS-74018 B (AL-1) AR23 0268. 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.
