UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor PL 25131
- Format
- LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
PL 25131 A-2E A 2 K WA-side runout stamped
PL 25131 B-1E A1 G WB-side runout stamped
PL 25131 AA-side label
PL 25131 BB-side label
Vinyl pressings
The Early Years
by Al Stewart · 1977
36 pressings17 countriesFolk RockFolkFolkWorld
The Early Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Early Years
15 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
UK
1977- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor PL 25131
- Format
- LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
PL 25131 A-2E A 2 K WA-side runout stamped, variant 1
PL 25131 B-1E A1 G WB-side runout stamped, variant 1
PL 25131 A 2 E A2ABA-side runout stamped, variant 2
PL25131 - B - 1E A4CB-side runout stamped, variant 2
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Janus Records 2JXS-7026
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
2JXS 7026-A A 3Runout side A, variant 1
2JXS 7026-B 3Runout side B, variant 1
2JXS 7026-C X 3 ARunout side C, variant 1
2JXS 7026-D 3 ARunout side D, variant 1
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Janus Records 2JXS 7026
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · GRT Pressing
- Runout / matrix
2JXS-7026-A GRT-1Side A etched, Variant 1
2JXS-7026-B GRT-1Side B etched, Variant 1
2JXS-7026-C GRT-1Side C etched, Variant 1
2JXS-7026-D GRT-1Side D etched, Variant 1
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Janus Records 2JXS-7026
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
T1 2JXS 7026A - 2Runout side A, variant 1, etched
T1 2JXS 7026B - 2Runout side B, variant 1, etched
T1 2JXS 7026C - 1Runout side C, variant 1, etched
T1 2JXS 7026D - 1Runout side D, variant 1, etched
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- Janus Records 2JXS-7026
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
P 2JXS 7026-AXSide A
P 2JXS 7026-BSide B
P 2JXS 7026-C XSide C
P 2JXS 7026-DSide D
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 36 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s33 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Janus Records 2098-7026First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Chile | RCA Victor PL 25131First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Israel | RCA Victor PL 25131First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA RVP-6289First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Turkey | RCA PL25131 / RCA Victor PL25131First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | RCA Victor PL 25131First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | RCA Victor PL 25131First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS-7026First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS 7026First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS 7026First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS-7026First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS 7026First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia Record ProductionsLP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS-7026First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Janus Records 2JXS-7026First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | RCA International INTS 5156 / RCA International NL 25397LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA NL 70289LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3165LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Bedsitter Images
- A2In Brooklyn
- A3Electric Los Angeles Sunset
- A4Clifton In The Rain
- A5You Should Have Listened To Al
- A6Manuscript
- B1Small Fruit Song
- B2Life And Life Only
- B3Love Chronicles
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Early Years are there?
36 vinyl pressings of The Early Years are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
When was The Early Years first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Canada, Chile and more. One of them is RCA Victor PL 25131.
How do I tell if my copy of The Early Years is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 25131, 2JXS-7026, 2JXS 7026, 2098-7026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PL 25131 A-2E A 2 K W and PL 25131 B-1E A1 G W. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Early Years on vinyl worth?
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.
