Vinyl pressings
by Andy Williams · 1971
Love Story 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.
25 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 15 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.
T I o PAL30497-1BSide A runout variant 1
T I o PBL30497-1ASide B runout variant 1
T 1 PAL30497-1C o A2Side A runout variant 2
T1 o PBL30497-1B C 4Side B runout variant 2
PAL 30497 1JSide A etched, variant 1
PBL 30497-1HSide B stamped, variant 1
P 0 PAL 30497 1H CSide A etched [P 0 & C stamped], variant 2
P 0 PBL 30497-1G S 9Side B etched [P 0 & last 9 stamped], variant 2
S o PAL30497-1F C4Runout A Side
S o PBL30497-1F C6Runout B Side
QAL 30497Side 1 Label
QBL 30497Side 2 Label
S-64286-A2 14Runout side A
S-64286-B2 23 ˃Runout side 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 | Argentina | CBS 19078 / CBS 19.078First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Argentina | CBS 9078 / CBS 9.078First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Australia | CBS SBP 233922First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Brazil | CBS 137722First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia KC 30497First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Europe | CBS S 64342 / CBS KC 30497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Europe | CBS KC 30497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Greece | CBS S 64342First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Israel | CBS S 64342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONX 60188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPN-44006First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1971 | Mexico | CBS/Columbia Internacional, S.A. CLS-5325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Mexico | CBS/Columbia Internacional, S.A. CL-5325First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Philippines | CBS KC 30497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1568First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia KC 30497LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Peru | CBS Columbia S.E. 8280LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia C 30497LP, Album | LP, Album |
31 vinyl pressings of Love Story are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia KC 30497.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 30497, CQ 30497, S 64286, S 64342) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T I o PAL30497-1B and T I o PBL30497-1A. 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.
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