Vinyl pressings
by CCS · 1973
The Best Band In The Land was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
SRAK 504 A - 1Side A runout, stamped
SRAK 504 B - 1 CHRISSide B runout, stamped/hand-etched
SRAK 504 A-1 GA 1Side A runout, variant 2
SRAK 504 B-1 RA 2 CHRISSide B runout, variant 2
SRAK 504 A - 1Runout, side A
SRAK 504 B - 1 CHRISRunout, side B
94 611 A-1Runout side A, stamped
94 611 B-1Runout side B, stamped
1 C 062-94 611 ALabel side A
1 C 062-94 611 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | RAK SRAK-504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | RAK 2C 064-94.611 / Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 064-94.611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | RAK 1C062-94 611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | RAK SRAK 504First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Italy | Columbia 3C 064-94611First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | South Africa | Columbia SCXJ 223First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | Odeon 1 J 062-94.611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | RAK SRAK 504 / RAK OC 062 ○ 94611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | RAKFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | Australia | World Record Club R-02988 / World Record Club R. 02988LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | Australia | World Record Club R-02988 / World Record Club R. 02988LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
11 vinyl pressings of The Best Band In The Land are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is RAK SRAK 504.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRAK 504, SRAK-504, 2C 064-94.611, 1C062-94 611) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRAK 504 A - 1 and SRAK 504 B - 1 CHRIS. 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.
