Vinyl pressings
by Blonde On Blonde · 1969
Contrasts was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
NSPL 18288A 1-♢H STEREORunout side A variant 1
NSPL 18288B 1-♢H STEREORunout side B variant 1
NSPL 18288 A1-♢H STEREO 1 C KTRunout side A variant 2
NSPL 18288 B1-♢H STEREO 1 C KTRunout side B variant 2
NSPL 18288A.1-♢H STEREORunout stamp side A
NSPL 18288B 1-♢H STEREORunout stamp side B
o JL S 3003 A-1B TA-side runout
o JL S 3003 B-1B TB-side runout
JLS 9 3003-AA-side label
JLS 9 3003-BB-side label
JL S 3003 A-1C SSide A runout
JL S 3003 B-1C 1 A2Side B runout
JLS 9 3003 ASide A label
JLS 9 3003 BSide B label
o JL S 3003 A-1A P A 3Runout, side A
o JL S 3003 B-1A P A 3Runout, side B
JLS 9 3003-ALabel, side A
JLS 9 3003-BLabel, side B
JL S 3003 A-1A P A 3A runout stamped
JL S 3003 B-1A P A 2B runout stamped
JLS 9 3003 AA label
JLS 9 3003 BB label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | New Zealand | Pye Records NSPL 18288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | South Africa | Pye Records PYR 2185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Pye Records NSPL 18288 / Pye Records NSPL.18288First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Pye Records NSPL.18288First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3003 / Janus Records JLS-3003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3003 / Janus Records JLS-3003First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3003 / Janus Records JLS-3003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3003 / Janus Records JLS-3003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Earmark 42044LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Liechtenstein | Hifly Sound Anstalt HIFLY8027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | France | Long Hair LHC – 261LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Contrasts are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, New Zealand, South Africa. One of them is Pye Records NSPL 18288.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NSPL 18288, NSPL.18288, JLS 3003, PYR 2185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NSPL 18288A 1-♢H STEREO and NSPL 18288B 1-♢H STEREO. 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.
