Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1965
Love Is Forever was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1965, 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.
XAX 2898 -1 HSide A runout, Variant 1
XAX 2898-1 GOSide B runout, Variant 1
XAX 2898 -1 MSide A runout, Variant 2
XAX 2899-1 GR 2Side B runout, Variant 2
XAX 2898 -1 RRSide 1
XAX 2899-1 ROSide 2
YAX 1258 - 2Side 1, stamped, Variant 1
YAX 1259 - 2Side 2, stamped, Variant 1
XAX 2898-1Side A, stamped, Variant 2
XAX 2899-1Side B, stamped, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 6149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records T-6149First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Denmark | Columbia SCX 3569First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Germany | Columbia SMC 84 064First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Japan | Odeon OP-7474First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Columbia SX 1769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Columbia 33MSX.1769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Columbia SCXM 3569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1965 | South Africa | Columbia 33JSX 1769 / Columbia 33-JSX 1769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia SCX 3569First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia SX 1769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia 33SX 1769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Columbia SCX 3569LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Sounds Superb SPR 90070LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Sounds Superb 4M048-06114LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Columbia SOEX 9577LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Columbia SCXO 3569LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | Sounds Superb 4M048-06114 / Sounds Superb SPR 4M048-06114LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | Sounds Superb 4M048-06114 / Sounds Superb SPR 4M048-06114LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | South Africa | Music For Pleasure MFP 3023LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Love Is Forever are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1965 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, Canada, Denmark, Germany and more. One of them is Columbia 33SX 1769, released November 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 33SX 1769, SCX 3569, SX 1769, ST 6149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XAX 2898 -1 H and XAX 2898-1 GO. 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.
