Vinyl pressings
by Carla Thomas · 1969
Memphis Queen 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.
12 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 6 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.
STL-0041-RE1 AI b.C.A-side runout etched, var. 1
STL-0042-RE1 AI b.C.B-side runout etched, var. 1
STL-0041-RE1 AI b.C. Ʌ B P oA-side runout etched, var. 2
STL-0042-RE1 AI b.C. Ʌ P oB-side runout etched, var. 2
STL-0041-RE-1 -4 AI G.C. TRunout Side A
STL-0042-RE-1 -3 AI G.C. S.S. T1Runout Side B
STL-0041-RE-1 (MR) △13520 AI SSRunout A
STL-0041-RE-1 (MR) △13520-X AI G.C.Runout B
STL-0041Label A
STL-0042Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Stax STS 2019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Stax STS 2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Stax 69 026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Germany | Stax 1 C 062-90 358First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Spain | Stax S-21.139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Stax STS 2019 / Stax STS-2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STM 2019First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | US | Stax STS 2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STS 2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Stax STS 2019 / Stax STS-2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Stax Records STS 2019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Stax SXATS 1019 / Stax 1E 062 ◦ 90358First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Stax 2325 005LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Stax 2363-004LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Stax STX 1038LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | Stax MPS-8538 / Stax MPS 8538LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Stax STS 2019 / ZYX Music STS 2019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Stax 2325 005 / Stax 23 25 005LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Stax Stx 88020LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Stax MW 1017LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Netherlands | Stax STS 2019LP, Album | LP, Album |
21 vinyl pressings of Memphis Queen are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1969 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Stax STS 2019.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STS 2019, STM 2019, SXATS 1019, 69 026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STL-0041-RE1 AI b.C. and STL-0042-RE1 AI b.C.. 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.
