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When I’m sifting through a collection and sorting their records, I often receive inquiries about why a particular vinyl record is not priced higher, especially if it’s perceived as rare or unusual. I always respond by saying I’ll take another look to ensure my attribution is accurate, and if it is, I explain the reasons behind it. 

Typically, several factors contribute to these assessments. In this blog, I’ll highlight some reasons I’ve shared in the past regarding original pressings from the 1960s and 70s, which display significant differences compared to modern record reissues. 

1) Barcode: A barcode on the back cover clearly indicates a record reissue, as barcodes were first introduced in the 1990s, to my knowledge. Given we’re discussing 60s and 70s releases, it’s worth noting that there were no barcodes during that era, making them an easy identifier for original pressings. 

2) Cover wear: After about 50 years, album covers usually show signs of wear from being pulled in and out of the collection. This friction causes the slick surfaces to experience some degree of wear over the years. In contrast, modern reissues typically lack this wear, providing a significant hint at the differences between them and original pressings. 

3) Flaps on the back cover: In Australia, many covers had a piece of cardboard folded over the top, bottom, and sides on the rear. This method of production continued until 1969, so if an album released in, say, 1967, features flaps on the back, it likely indicates it’s an original unless an early reissue occurred before 1969. 

4) Inner sleeves: Often with 60s and 70s records, a clue can be found in the inner sleeves, which may be made of plastic that appears crumpled, dirty, or worn, or even paper sleeves showing similar wear. Frequently, the paper sleeves have perforations to display the label, and tears from sliding into the outer sleeve are common. Note that these sleeves are typically not bright white but rather show some discoloration over time. 

5) Foxing: Covers of originals may exhibit small brown spots from foxing, which takes years to develop. Thus, album covers showing foxing are likely to be original pressings. 

6) Labels: With my in-depth expertise in vinyl record identification, I often know if a record is a reissue based on the original pressing’s specific label and country of release. If the record I’m examining is not on that label, it is likely a reissue. 

These are some factors I consider when assessing a record. However, understanding this information alone, one clue at a time, isn’t sufficient to draw a conclusion. It’s only after years of studying records and piecing together these clues that I can accurately assess their authenticity.