Vinyl pressings
by Yusef Lateef · 1972
The Gentle Giant was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
ST-A-712399 A AT/GPRunout A, variant 1
ST-A-712400 A AT/GPRunout B, variant 1
ST-A-712399 A AT/GP PRRunout A, variant 2
ST-A-712400 A AT/GP PRRunout B, variant 2
ST-A-712399 AAA -II - I AT/GP PRRunout groove side A, etched
ST-A-712400 AAA I AT/GP III PRRunout groove side B, etched
ST-A-712399RILabel caption side A
ST-A-712400RILabel caption side B
ST-A-712399AA AT/GP (MR) △16673 PRSide A runout
ST-A-712400 AA AT/GP (MR) △16673-X PRSide B runout
ST-A-712399 AAA AT/GP PRA-side runout groove inscription
ST-A-712400 AAA AT/GP PRB-side runout groove inscription
ST-A-712399 RIA-side label
ST-A-712400 RIB-side label
ST-A-712399 AAA - I AT/GP PRRunout side A, etched
ST-A-712400 AAA -I AT/GP PRRunout side B, etched
ST-A-712399RILabel caption side A
ST-A-712400RILabel caption side B
ST-A-712399 A AT/GP PRA-side runout etched
ST-A-712400 A AT/GP PRB-side runout etched
ST-A-712399 PRA label matrix
ST-A-712400 PRB label matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | ATCO Records ATLP 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 359First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 359First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 359First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Israel | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9378 / Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Atlantic K 40359First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic 1602 / Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic SD 1602First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Atlantic SD 1602LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Netherlands | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1160LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1602LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1602LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of The Gentle Giant are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Brazil, Germany and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 1602.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 1602, 1602, K 40359, ATLP 026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-712399 A AT/GP and ST-A-712400 A AT/GP. 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.
