Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1974
Buddha And The Chocolate Box was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
52 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 26 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.
SP 3645 RE-2 P2 STERLING LHSide A matrix, variant 1
SP 3646 RE-2 P2 STERLING LHSide B matrix, variant 1
P SP 3645 RE-2 P2 STERLING 4 LH 3ASide A matrix, variant 2
P SP 3646 RE-2 P2 STERLING 4 ASide B matrix, variant 2
SP 3645 RE2 P4 STERLING LHSide A etched, STERLING stamped
SP 3646 RE2 P2 STERLING LHSide B etched, STERLING stamped
SP 3645 RE-2 M1-REPL MR △18798(1) STERLING F LHSide A runout, variant 1
SP 3646 RE 2 ▽B M2-EX MR △18798-X (3) STERLING 2 LHSide B runout, variant 1
SP 3645 RE-2 M1-REPL MR △18798(2) STERLING 4 LHSide A runout, variant 2
SP 3646 RE 2 ▽B M2-EX MR △18798-X (3) STERLING 2 LHSide B runout, variant 2
SP 3645A Side Label
SP 3646B Side Label
T1 SP 3645 RE-2 T4 STERLING ₂ ʟʜA Side Etch exc Sterling stamp var 1
T1 SP 3646 RE 2 T5 STERLING ₂ ʟʜB Side Etch exc Sterling stamp var 1
SP 3623-A SP3645 RE 2 C1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide A runout etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
SP 3623-A SP3646 RE 2 C2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ 2 LHSide B runout etched, sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped
SP 3623 (SP 3645)Side A label
SP 3623 (SP 3646)Side B label
TI SP 3645 RE2 T2Etched both sides
STERLING 2 LHSide A, STERLING is stamped. 2 is etched underneath. LH is etched to the right.
STERLING 4 LHSide B, STERLING is stamped. 4 is etched underneath. LH is etched to the right.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Island Records 5436First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Argentina | Island Records 5436First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records L 35141 / Island Records L-35,141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Austria | Island Records 87 801 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Island Records 410 036 / Island Records 410.036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Chile | Island Records ILPS9274 / Island Records ILPS 9274First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Colombia | Island Records 10101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Island Records 9101 630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Island Records 9101 630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Island Records 87 801 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Island Records SUP 2526-80.136LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-4028LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-4028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Island Records 87.801 / Island Records 87801 ELP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Australia | Island Records L 35141 / Island Records L-35141LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Colombia | Island Records 18(0831)00192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | Island Records 0602478143540LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 2026 | Europe | Island Records Ltd. 00602508161049LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 410 036 / Island Records 410.036LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 3623LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Island Records 87 801 / Island Records 87 801 XOTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9274LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9274LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | South Korea | Island Records ILPS 9274LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 87801-E / Island Records 5B 87801LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9274LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 3623LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 3623LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 3623LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
85 vinyl pressings of Buddha And The Chocolate Box are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1974 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 3623.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 3623, SP3623, QU-53623, ILPS 9274) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 3645 RE-2 P2 STERLING LH and SP 3646 RE-2 P2 STERLING LH. 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.
