Vinyl pressings
by Dawn · 1973
Golden Ribbons 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.
7 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BELLS 236 A-2U L 2Stamped Runout, Side A
BELLS 236 B-2U GD 2Stamped Runout, Side B
BELLS 236 A-2U G A 3Stamped Runout, Side A (Variant 2)
BELLS 236 B-2U A R 1Stamped Runout, Side B (Variant 2)
BELLS-236-S1Side A runout
BELLS-236-S2Side B runout
BELLS-236-S1Side A runout
BELLS-236-S2②Side B runout
2499 065 S1 320Runout side A
2499 065 S2 320Runout 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 | Canada | Bell Records BELLS 236First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Bell Records BELLS 236First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Karussell 2499 065First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | Bell Records 2499 065First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Bell Records 2308 074First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 236 / Bell Records 2308 082First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Bell Records BELLS 230First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Australia | Bell Records 2337 032LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Karussell 2345 035LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Scandinavia | Karussell 2345 035LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Bell Records BELLS-236LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Golden Ribbons are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Bell Records BELLS 236.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BELLS 236, BELLS 230, 2499 065, 2308 074) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BELLS 236 A-2U L 2 and BELLS 236 B-2U GD 2. 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.
