Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1975
Numbers was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 12 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·9370·B1 SIDE 1Side 1, variant 1, stamped and etched
② ILPS·9370·A2 SIIDE 0 IGOLSide 0, variant 1, stamped and etched
ILPS 9370 B2Side 1, variant 2, etched
ILPS-9370-A1 SIDE 0 ② IGOLSide 0, variant 2, etched
A&M SP4847-P3 RSide A etched [R stamped], variant 1
A&M SP4848-P2 CSide B etched [C stamped], variant 1
P A&M SP4847-P3 B 3Side A etched [P, B 3 stamped], variant 2
P A&M SP4848-P2 C 3Side B etched [P, C 3 stamped], variant 2
ILPS 9370 B2Side A named side 1
④ ILPS-9370-A2 SIDE 0Side B named side 0
SP 4847A Side Label
SP 4848B Side Label
T2 A&M SP 4847-T3 A1A Side Etch exc "A1" stamp
T1 A&M SP 4848-T1 C1B Side Etch exc "C1" stamp
A&M SP-4847-M1 [MR logo] △20164A Side Runout
A&M SP4848-M2-EX [MR logo] △20164-XB Side Runout
SP 4847A Side Label
SP 4848B Side Label
A&M SP 4847-P3 PXTSide A Runout Etched
A&M SP 4848-S1 SXTSide B Runout Etched
(SP 4847)Side A Label
(SP 4848)Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Island Records L-35,670 / Island Records ILPS-9370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Austria | Island Records 89 680 GTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4555 / A&M Records (SP 4847)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4555First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4555First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 9299 873First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 9299 873 / Island Records 9.299.873First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 9299 873 / Island Records 9299 873 ⒶFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 89 680 GTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 89 680 GTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Island Records 89680 GTFirst yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Stereo · Promo, Limited |
| 1975 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Bolivia | Ariola ALS-1012 / Ariola ALS - 1012LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 89 680 GTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Island Records 89 680 / Island Records 89 680 GTLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Dark Horse Records DH0025 / Cat-O-Log Records DH0025LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Island Records LAE - 004 / Island Records LA - 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records 5B 89680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
56 vinyl pressings of Numbers are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1975 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Island Records ILPSP 9370, released November 30, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPSP 9370, SP 4555, 9299 873, SP-4555) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, $ILPS·9370·B1 SIDE 1 and ② ILPS·9370·A2 SIIDE 0 IGOL. 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.
