Vinyl pressings
by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band · 1969
Tadpoles 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.
3 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
LBS 83257 A//3∇Variant 1 - A-side run-out, stamped
LBS 83257 B//4Variant 1 - B-side run-out, stamped
LBS 83257 A//2 420 1Variant 2 - A-side run-out
LBS 83257 B//2 420 11Variant 2 - B-side run-out
LP-12445-1Runout A etched
LP-12445-2Runout B etched
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 | Netherlands | Liberty LBS 83257First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Liberty LBS 83257First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Imperial LP-12445First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Imperial LP-12445 / Imperial LP.12445LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Sunset Records SLS 50350LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Sunset Records SLS 50350LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Sunset Records DA 5005Reissue, LP | Reissue, LP |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Sunset Records DA 5005LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | UK | Edsel Records XED 186LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | Edsel Records XED 186LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Imperial LP-12445 / Imperial LP.12445LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Imperial LP-12445 / Imperial LP.12445LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Sunset Records SLS 50350LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Imperial LP-12445LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Imperial LP-12445LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Tadpoles are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Netherlands. One of them is Liberty LBS 83257.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LBS 83257, LP-12445) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LBS 83257 A//3∇ and LBS 83257 B//4. 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.
