Vinyl pressings
by Dick Heckstall-Smith · 1972
A Story Ended 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.
11 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
ILPS 9196 A-1USide A Stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9196 B-1USide B Stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9196 A-1U G 1Side A Stamped, Variant 2
ILPS 9196 B-1U M 1Side B Stamped, Variant 2
S40,274Label Side A
S40,275Label Side B
BS-2650 40274-1 I V
BS-2650 40275-1 I V
T 1 BS-2650 40274-1-1 A2Runout side A
T1 BS-2650 40275-1-1 A1Runout side B
S40,274Label side A
S40,275Label side B
BS-2650 40274-1A 4 SJRunout, Side A, Etched
BS-2650 40275-1BRunout, Side B, Etched
(S40,274)Label, Side A
(S40,275)Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Bronze 6357 217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Island Records 86 257 IT / Bronze 86 257 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Bronze ILPS 19196First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Bronze 6357217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Island Records 86 257-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Bronze ILPS 9196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2650 / Bronze BS 2650First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2650 / Bronze BS 2650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2650 / Bronze BS 2650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Bronze YS-2753-BZFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Bronze YS-2753-BZFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | France | Long Hair LHC – 268LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of A Story Ended are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Bronze ILPS 9196.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9196, BS 2650, YS-2753-BZ, 6357 217) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9196 A-1U and ILPS 9196 B-1U. 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.
