Vinyl pressings
by Cat Stevens · 1972
The View From The Top 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.
4 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 3 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.
D-016533 Manufactured in Germany ℗ 1972Side A runout, stamped
D-016534 ℗ 1972Side B runout, stamped
D-016535 Manufactured in Germany ℗ 1972Side C runout, stamped
D-016536 Manufactured in Germany ℗ 1972Side D runout, stamped
D-016533 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side A, stamped
D-01654 Manufactured in GermanyRunout Side B, stamped
D-016535 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side C, stamped
D-016536 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side D, stamped
D-016533 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side A, stamped
D-016534 Ⓟ 1972Runout Side B, stamped
D-016535 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side C, stamped
D-016536 Manufactured in Germany Ⓟ 1972Runout Side D, stamped
850 D 016533✲1JN COLRunout side A, stamped
850 D 016534✲1JN COLRunout side B, stamped
850 D 016535✲1JN COLRunout side C, stamped
850 D 016536✲1JN COLRunout side D, stamped
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 | Germany | Deram SD 3005/1-2 / Decca SD 3005/1-2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Deram SD 3005/1-2 / Decca SD 3005/1-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | South Africa | Deram NDDA 7/8First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Spain | Deram DCS 15036/7First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Deram SD 3005/1-2 / Decca SD 3005/1-2LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | South Africa | Deram DLPA 121/2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Belgium | Deram DA 143/144LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Belgium | Deram DA 143/144LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Deram DA 143/144LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Belgium | Deram DA 143/144LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Deram DA 143/44LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Deram 278 511/12LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Germany | Decca SD 3005/1-2 / Deram SD 3005/1-2LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Decca SD 3005/1-2 / Deram SD 3005/1-2LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Decca SD 3005/1-2 / Deram SD 3005/1-2LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca DPA.3019/1-2 / Deram DPA-3019/1/2/3/4LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Deram 278.511/12 B / Deram 278 511/12LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | France | Deram 278.511/12 B / Deram 278 511/12LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | France | Deram 278.511/12 B / Deram 278 511/12LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Nova 6.28096 DP / Nova SD 3005/1-2LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Nova 6.28096 DP / Nova 6.28096LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.28096 DPLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Deram DCS 15036/7LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of The View From The Top are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, South Africa, Spain. One of them is Deram SD 3005/1-2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 3005/1-2, NDDA 7/8, DCS 15036/7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D-016533 Manufactured in Germany ℗ 1972 and D-016534 ℗ 1972. 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.
