how to tell on first pressing vinyl releases

If they're expensive, they're original. Otherwise, you'll have to look at the album in person.

Congrats on your Jose Feliciano album.

:^|

Many records have codes stamped into the deadwax which enable you to determine whether it is a first, second, etc. issue.

For example, here is a link for Pink Floyd which will enable you to determine information regarding country, issue, release date, etc. for any of their albums.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/PFarchives/Directry.htm

This type of information is not available for ALL vinyl albums; it's only one example of what you can find with a little digging.

Good luck.

Michael Fremer within the last year in Steeophile answered this question, somewhat. I don't remember if his was label specific or in general but you should be able to check last years pretty quick at a library and find out what he had to say. Something about the last numbers on the inner groves by the label indicating when it was pressed. Do not quite remember it all. Hope someone else does to refresh my mind.

Record weight for reissues is 99% marketing hype rather than any indication of quality. True, vinyl in the 50's was much heavier than the flimsy stuff that got produced in the 70's and 80's but there is much more involved in determining the quality of an LP pressing than the thickness of the vinyl.
(I have plenty of flimsy 70's original issues that are every bit as good as some 200g reissues)

"how to tell on first pressing vinyl releases"

Experience, experience, experience! Plus read up websites (Google search on your favorite artists and labels), ask retailers and collectors, go to record fairs and hang out with the people there.

Any specific questions, and we'll be glad to help. But it does take years and years of getting to know the records... there's no substitute for experience. It's just like collecting anything.

Patrick