Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1972
Sitting / Crab Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
2390-S P3 STERLING LH 2Runout A etched [STERLING stamped], variant 1
2391-S P-1 STERLING LH 2 ΛIRunout B etched [STERLING ΛI stamped], variant 1
2390-S P1 STERLING LH 2Runout A etched [STERLING stamped], variant 2
2391-S P-1 STERLING LH 2Runout B etched [STERLING stamped], variant 2
2390-SA-Side
2391-SB-Side
T 2390-S TI STERLINGEtched in runout A, STERLING is stamped
T 2391-S TI STERLINGEtched in runout B, STERLING is stamped
2390-SLabel A
2391-SLabel B
2390-S M2 [MR logo] △89893 [STERLING] LHSide A Runout, etched [stamped]
2391-S M2 [MR logo] △89893-X [STERLING] LHSide B Runout, etched [stamped]
2390-SSide A Label
2391-SSide B Label
2390-SSide A Label
2390Side B Label
MX41227Side A
MX41228Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Island Records IK 4921First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1396First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1396First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1396First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | France | Island Records 6138 023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26152First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26152First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Island Records IK 4921First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Portugal | Island Records 11528-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Island Records 11528 A / Island Records 11.528-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records AM 1396 / A&M Records AM-1396-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records 1396-S / A&M Records 1396First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records 1396-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records AM-1396-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | A&M Records 1396-S / A&M Records AM-1396First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Sitting / Crab Dance are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is A&M Records AM 1396.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM 1396, 1396-S, AM-1396-S, IK 4921) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2390-S P3 STERLING LH 2 and 2391-S P-1 STERLING LH 2 ΛI. 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.
