Emerson Lake & Palmer* – Works (Volume 1)

Released in a Tri-fold sleeve with embossed ELP logo on the front cover.

Back cover code: K80009 (SD2-7000).
Spine code: K 80009 S.

The UK release of Works Volume 1 had Atlantic white labels, with two different, chronologically coexistent, layouts. It also had at least two sets of etched handwriting on matrices, completely different to one another, also coexisting in some discs.

Considering the left hand side of the labels, label layout #1 had cataformation in this order (side one used as example):
SIDE ONE
STEREO
K 80009 (written in bold text)
(SD2-7000)
K 80009 A

Label layout #2 had a different order and made use of an asterisk. The fourth and fifth lines are indented:
SIDE ONE
STEREO
K 80009
K 80009A*
(SD 2-7000)

Considering the right hand side of the labels, label layout #1 has "P 1977 Palm Beach International Recordings Ltd." closer to the center than label layout #2.

In addition, the last publisher on side 3 switches between one line on the non-asterisk version (label layout #1) and two lines on the asterisk version (label layout #2), and the publisher on side 1 has an additional comma - "Palm Beach International Recordings Ltd.," on asterisk labels.

A copy could have all sides based on label layout #1, all sides based on label layout #2, or any combination of these. The label design cannot be used to indicate an earlier or a later copy of this album.

This release: label layout #1 on all sides, etched handwriting #1 on all matrices (see images).

For images of etched handwriting #2 on all matrices, see Works (Volume 1)

The "(2)" mark on sides 3 and 4 matrices, etched handwriting #1, does not refer to father/mother/stampers. Rather, it indicates the second disc of the set. Etched handwriting #2 does not make use of this system. Hence, a disc 2 with matrices "C- (2)" and "D-", or with matrices "C-" and "D- (2)", is a matrix set hybrid disc, and collector's should not assume it represents an earlier pressing that a disc 2 with both sides on handwriting #1, that is, "C- (2)" and "D- (2)".

Some of the heavier discs, with handwriting #1, had no three o'clock/six o'clock indication of mother/stampers (the three o'clock/six o'clock system is common in lighter discs of Works Volume 1, regardless of them coming with handwriting #1 only, handwriting #2 only, or hybrid matrix combinations). Such heavier discs often came also with poly-lined inner sleeves that had the "PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE DANGEROUS/ TO AVOID DANGER OF SUFFOCATION KEEP THIS BAG AWAY FROM BABIES AND CHILDREN" disclaimer, and date codes like "701", "702", or somewhat higher.

However, Works Volume 1 came with many different kinds of inner sleeves: poly-lined or unlined, holes at the center or not, rounded corners or not, one patent number only, two or even three patent numbers.

This release: heavy discs with date code "701", indicating January 1977 (approximately two months before the release date of Works Volume 1).