Vinyl pressings
by Albert King · 1971
Lovejoy was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
StAX SS-0217 ② Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. PSide A runout
StAX SS-0218 ① Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. PSide B runout
SS-0217Side A label matrix no.
SS-0218Side B label matrix no.
T1 STAX SS-0217 3A runout etched, "3" is circled
T1 STAX SS-0218 4B runout etched, "4" is circled
STAX SS-0217 Ⓢ △15897 (MR) MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Side A runout etched, stamped
STAX SS-0218 Ⓢ △15897-X (MR) MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Side B runout etched, stamped
SS-0217Side A label
SS-0218Side B label
StAX SS-0217 ④ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΛISide A runout
StAX SS-0218 MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΛIISide B runout
SS-0217Side A label matrix no.
SS-0218Side B label matrix no.
StAX SS-0217 ② Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Side A runout
StAX SS-0218 ② Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Side B runout
SS-0217Side A label matrix no.
SS-0218Side B label matrix no.
2325 042 A // 1 ∇ 420 11 3 04Side A
2325 042 B // 1 ∇ 420 11 5 04Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | France | Stax 569036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2325 042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Stax S-21406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Stax S-21406First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Stax STS-2040 / Stax 2325-042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1971 | Canada | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Stax MW 2035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Stax STS 2040First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Stax STS 2040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Stax 68.715 / Stax 68715LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Stax MPS-8517LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia & New Zealand | Fantasy L 29087 / Stax MPS 8517LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered · Promo |
| 1990 | Australasia | Fantasy L 29087 / Stax MPS 8517LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Stax STS-2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Stax STS 2040LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Stax STS-2040LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Lovejoy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Stax STS 2040, released July 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STS 2040, STS-2040, MW 2035, 569036) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, StAX SS-0217 ② Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. P and StAX SS-0218 ① Λ MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. P. 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.
