Vinyl pressings
by Tom T. Hall · 1973
The Rhymer And Other Five And Dimers 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.
13 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.
SRM-1-668A-CT1MS |T G.K.Side A etched, exc. "SRM-1-668A-CT1" stamped
SRM-1-668B-CT1MS |T G.K.Side A etched, exc. "SRM-1-668B-CT1" stamped
SRM-1-668-ASide A label
SRM-1-668-BSide B label
SRM-1-668A-PR1 MS 1-11-11 G.K. PRSide A Runout, etched and stamped
SRM-1-668B-PR1 MS 1-11-11 G.K. PRSide B Runout, etched and stamped
SRM-1-668-ASide A label
SRM-1-668-BSide B label
SRM-1-668A-CP3 MS G.K.Side A, Variant 1
SRM-1-668B-CP2 MS G.K.Side B, Variant 1
SRM-1-668A-CP2 MS G.K.Side A, Variant 2
SRM-1-668B-CP3 MS G.K. PSide B, Variant 2
SRM-1-668A-CS4 MS \ S G.K. A 10Side A runout
SRM-1-668B-CS5 MS S I G.K. A 9Side A runout
(SRM-1-668-A)Side A label
(SRM-1-668-B)Side B label
6 33 8231 1v1 420 12 TSide A Stamped
6 33 8231 2//∇ 420 1 1 5 04Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-668 / Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668 / Mercury SW-95090LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Mercury 6338 231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRM 1-668First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury R123411 / Mercury SRM 1-668LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Rhymer And Other Five And Dimers are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury SRM 1-668.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM 1-668, 6338 231, SRM-1-668) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-668A-CT1MS |T G.K. and SRM-1-668B-CT1MS |T G.K.. 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.
