Vinyl pressings
by Traffic · 1973
On The Road 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.
21 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
2 ISLD3 1 - A-2U RG STERLING LH2Side A runout, variant 1
1 ISLD 3 - 1B-1U P STERLING LH2Side B runout, variant 1
1 ISLD3 2 A-1U . : STERLING LH2Side C runout, variant 1
1 ISLD 3 2 B-4U GDSide D runout, variant 1
ISLD 3-1 A-2U STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
ISLD 3-1 B-1U STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
ISLD 3-2 A-2U STERLINGRunout side C, variant 1
ISLD 3-2 B-5U KIPRunout side D, variant 1
SMAS-1-9336 27 2 #1 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 1
SMAS-2-9336 26 #1 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 1
SMAS-1-9336 27 #5 STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 2
SMAS-2-9336 25 #5 STERLING 0Side B runout, variant 2
SMAS-1-9336 Z9Side A etched, variant 1
2 ✶ STERLINGSide A stamped, variant 1
SMAS-2-9336 Z4Side B etched, variant 1
2 ✶ STERLINGSide B stamped, variant 1
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 | Brazil | Island Records 410 030/031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | Island Records 410 030/031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Island Records SMAS-9336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Island Records 6650 003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 87 272 XDTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 87 272 XDFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ISLD 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Island Records GSW-5~6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Island Records 87 270 XDT / Island Records 87 271 XDTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLD.2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLD.2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ISLA 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLD.3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ISLD 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Island Records SMAS-9336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records 87 272 XDLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records 87 272 XDLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Island Records 14C 162 - 65017 / 8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 90028-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Japan | Island Records R36D-2041~2 / Polystar R36D-2041~2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLA 2LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 87 272 XBTLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 87 272 / Island Records 87 272 XTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Island Records AORL 219866LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Island Records AORL 219866LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 87 272 XDT / Island Records 87 271 XDTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Island Records L 45398LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label (Traffic) HD 94LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Island Records ISLD 2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLD.2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLD.2LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Island Records 90028-1-I / Island Records 7 90028-1-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records ISLD 2 / Island Records ISLA 2LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Island Records ISLD-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records ISLA 2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
58 vinyl pressings of On The Road are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1973 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ISLD 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ISLD 2, ISLA 2, SMAS-9336, 410 030/031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 ISLD3 1 - A-2U RG STERLING LH2 and 1 ISLD 3 - 1B-1U P STERLING LH2. 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.
