Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1970
Tea For The Tillerman 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 9135 A - 3 u STERLING LHSide A engraved, u STERLING stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9135 B - 3 u STERLING LHSide B engraved, u STERLING stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9135 A - 3 u GT STERLING LH 1Side A engraved, u GT STERLING 1 stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9135 B - 3 u GL STERLING LH 2Side B engraved, u GL STERLING 2 stamped, variant 2
SP 4459 RE-1 M-2 [MR logo] △̶15396 STERLING LHRunout side A, variant 1
SP 4460 RE-1 M ̶2̶ 4 [MR logo] △̶15396-X STERLING LHRunout side B, variant 1
SP 4459 RE-1 M-2 [MR logo] △̶15396 STERLING LHRunout side A, variant 2
SP 4460 RE-1 M ̶2̶ 4 [MR logo] △̶15396-X (15) STERLING LHRunout side B, variant 2
SP 4459 RE-1 P2 STERLING LH PRunout A, variant 1
SP 4460 RE-1 1A S-1 SX STERLING LH PRunout B, variant 1
SP 4459 RE-1 P-1 STERLING LHRunout A, variant 2
SP 4460 RE-1 P-1 STERLING LHRunout B, variant 2
SP 4459 RE-1 1A S-1 LH S 1 STERLINGRunout side A, etched and stamped
SP 4460 RE-1 1A S-1 LH S 1 STERLINGRunout side B, etched and stamped
1 S SP 4459 RE-1 1A S-1 LH STERLINGRunout side A, etched and stamped (Variant 2)
1 SP 4460 RE-1 1A S-1 LH STERLINGRunout side B, etched and stamped (Variant 2)
SP 4459 RE-1 M5 REPL. [MR logo] △16925 (8) STERLING 2 LHSide A runout
SP 4460 RE-1 M5 [MR logo] △16925 (4) STERLING 2 LHSide B runout
SP-4459Side A - Label
SP-4460Side B - Label
1 S SP 4459 RE-1 1A S-1 LHSide 1 etched
T1 A&M SP 4460 RE-2 T1Side 2 etched
STERLINGStamped on Side A only before LH
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-934028 / Island Records SIL-934,028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Australia | Island Records SIL-934,028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Barbados | Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4280 / A&M Records SP-4280First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4280 / A&M Records SP 4280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4280LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1970 | Denmark | Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Island Records 6405 008 / Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Island Records 6339 020 / Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Greece | Philips 6343 013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Greece | Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9135First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Israel | Island Records ILPS-9135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Israel | Island Records 6339 020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9135 / Island Records ILPS 9135 ★LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9135 / Island Records ILPS 9135 ★LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | A&M Records SPJ-4280LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-035LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 1981 | Spain | Island Records 85.678-I / Island Records 85.678-ELP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Colombia | Arista 18(0831)00189LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1982 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFQR 1-035 / A&M Records MFQR 1-035Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 85 678 XOT / Island Records 85 678LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Argentina | Island Records TLP-60216 / Island Records I-85678LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | Island Records 604.7186 / Island Records 23510LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9135LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Brazil | Island Records 670.8115LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | Island Records 842.352-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | Mexico | Island Records LPR 25022LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | Mexico | Island Records LPR 25022 / Island Records 842 352 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | South Korea | Island Records SEL-RI2008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | South Africa | Island Records MMTL 1504LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1991 | Colombia | Island 842352 1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1994 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9135LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | UK & Europe | Island Records 842 352-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2008 | UK | Island Records 06025 17753129LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2008 | US | A&M Records SP-4280LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Analogue Productions APP 9135 / Analogue Productions AAPP 9135LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Numbered |
| 2011 | US | Analogue Productions AAPP 9135 / Universal Music Special Markets B0015574-01LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2015 | US | Analogue Productions APP 9135-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2015 | US | Analogue Productions APP 9135-45 / Universal Music Special Markets B0015574-0112", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK & Europe | Island Records 0602508820311 / Cat-O-Log Records 0602508820311LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Island Records 0602508395086 / Cat-O-Log Records 0602508395086Box Set, Deluxe Edition, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, CD, Album, Reissue, CD, Compilation, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Audio, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", EP | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, CD, Album, Reissue, CD, Compilation, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Audio, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Reissue, 12", EP |
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records 0602508820311 / Cat-O-Log Records 0602508820311LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Island Records 00602435940885 / Cat-O-Log Records 00602435940885LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Island Records ILPM 9135LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Unknown | Island Records ILPS 9135LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028 / Island Records ILPS-9135LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028 / Island Records L-34,028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL-934028 / Island Records ILPS-9135LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Island Records L 34028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL-934028 / Island Records SIL-934,028LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Island Records SIL-934,028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Austria | Ariola 85 678 ITLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 203 032LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Island Records 410 000 / Island Records 410.000LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
268 vinyl pressings of Tea For The Tillerman are listed here, from 39 countries, released between 1970 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Argentina, Peru and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9135, released November 6, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9135, SP 4280, SIL-934028, SIL-934,028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9135 A - 3 u STERLING LH and ILPS 9135 B - 3 u 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.
