Vinyl pressings
by Barbara & Ernie · 1971
Prelude To... 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 3 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.
ST-CTN-712215A (MR) AT/GP ∆16061 5-10-71Side A, runout, variant 1
ST-CTN-712216A (MR) AT/GP ^ ∆16061-XSide B, runout, variant 1
(ST-CTN-712215-MO)Side A, label
(ST-CTN-712216-MO)Side B, label
(ST-CTN-712215 SP)Center Label Side A
(ST-CTN-712216 SP)Center Label Side B
ST-CTN-712215A AT/GP 5-10-71Center Label Side A
ST-CTN-712216A AT/GPCenter Label Side B
ST-CTN-712215A-1 AT/GP 5-10 71Runout Groove Side A
ST-CTN-712216A-1 AT/GPRunout Groove Side B
ST-CTN-712215RICenter Label Side A
ST-CTN-712216RICenter Label Side B
CTN-13679-A 5-12-71 AT Xrunout; A Side
CTN-13680-A 5-12-71 X ATrunout; B side
CTN 13679 SPOn Label Side 1
CTN 13680 SPOn Label Side 2
CTN-13679-A 5/12/71 AT Xrunout; A Side
CTN-13680-A 5/12/71 X ATrunout; B side
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 | Australia | Atlantic SD 9044 / Atlantic SD-9044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK & Ireland | Atlantic 2466015First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion 9044First yearLP, Advance, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Advance, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion 9044 / Cotillion SD9044First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | Atlantic SD 9044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Cotillion SD 9044First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Fallout FOLP 2046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Life Goes On Records LIFE017LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cotillion SD 9044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Prelude To... are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1971 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, UK & Ireland. One of them is Cotillion SD 9044, released May 10, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 9044, 9044, 2466015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-CTN-712215A (MR) AT/GP ∆16061 5-10-71 and ST-CTN-712216A (MR) AT/GP ^ ∆16061-X. 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.
