Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1970
Mona Bone Jakon was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 17 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.
ILPS 9118 A▽2 STERLING RL LHRunout, A-side variant 1
ILPS 9118 B▽2 STERLING LHRunout, B-side variant 1
ILPS 9118 A▽1 STERLING LH 1 1 3Runout, A-side variant 2
ILPS 9118 B▽1 STERLING RL LH 1 1 3Runout, B-side variant 2
ILPS 9118 Aᐁ2 1 1 1 STERLING : RL LHSide A runout
ILPS 9118 Bᐁ2 1 1 1 STERLING . LHSide B runout
SP 4419-8 STERLING TJ T 1A Side Etch exc Sterling, T stamps
A&M SP 4420-7 STERLING LH T 1B Side Etch exc Sterling, T stamps
4419-2 T STERLING LHEtched Side A, except Sterling stamped, variant 1
T I A&M SP 4420-7 STERLING LHEtched Side B, except Sterling stamped, variant 1
T 1 4419-8 T STERLING EEtched Side A, except Sterling, E stamped, variant 2
T 1 A&M SP 4420-7 STERLING LH BEtched Side B, except Sterling, B stamped, variant 2
A&M SP 4419-7 B3 STERLING LH T 1A Side Etch exc Sterling, T stamps
SP 4420-8 B STERLING RL/L.. T 1B Side Etch exc Sterling, T stamps
SP 4419-4 STERLING B1 T \Runout side A
SP 4420-3 STERLING A T \Runout side B
SP-4419Label side A
SP-4420Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Island Records SIL-933,865 / Island Records SIL-933865LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1970 | Colombia | Ariola 18(0831)00156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Island Records 6339 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Island Records 6339 005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1970 | France | Island Records 6339 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 005 / Island Records ILPS 9118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 005First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 005 / Island Records ILPS 9118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9118First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Israel | Island Records ILPS 9118 / Island Records 30903First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Island Records 6339 005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 69 / A&M Records AML-69First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 69First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Japan | A&M Records AML 69 / A&M Records AML-69First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Ecuador | Island Records 820150-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Italy | Island Records ORL 8488LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3160LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3160LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP4260 / A&M Records SP 4260LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Island Records L 33865LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Germany | Island Records 85687 / Island Records 85 687 ETLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records L 19068 / Island Records L-19068LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Island Records 0042284235112LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK & Europe | Cat-O-Log Records 0602508820304 / Island Records 0602508820304LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2020 | Europe | Island Records 0602508395178 / UMC 0602508395178CD, Album, Mixed, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, LP, Mixed, Stereo, 12", Single Sided, EP, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Audio, All Media, Deluxe Edition | CD, Album, Mixed, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, LP, Mixed, Stereo, 12", Single Sided, EP, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Audio, All Media, Deluxe Edition |
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records 0602445373987LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | A&M Records AAM 173198.1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Island Records ILPS 9118LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL-933,865LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 33865LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Austria | Island Records 85 687 ITLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 202 498LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 410 020 / Island Records 410.020LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69835 / A&M Records SP-69835LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4260LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP4260LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69835 / A&M Records SP-69835LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP4260 / A&M Records SP 4260LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP4260LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 69835 / A&M Records SP-69835LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4260LP | LP |
| ? | Colombia | Island Records 18(0831)00156LP, Album | LP, Album |
149 vinyl pressings of Mona Bone Jakon are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1970 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Canada, South Africa and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9118, released April 10, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9118, SP4260, SP-4260, SP 4260) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9118 A▽2 STERLING RL LH and ILPS 9118 B▽2 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.
