Vinyl pressings
by Faces · 1976
Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
K 56172 A1 ALLNSide A runout variant 1
K 56172 B1Side B runout variant 1
K 56172 A1 1 7 A ALLNSide A runout variant 2
K 56172 B1 1 7 ASide B runout variant 2
BS-1-2897 JW1#I 0Runout side A etched - variant 1
BS-2-2897 JW1#2 0Runout side B etched - variant 1
BS-1-2897 JW1#3 0Runout side A etched - variant 2
BS-2-2897 JW1#2 0Runout side B etched - variant 2
BS-1-2897 LW1• 3 ✲Side A runout, variant 1
BS-2-2897 LW1• ✲Side B runout, variant 1
BS-1-2897 LW1• 4 ✲Side A runout, variant 2
BS-2-2897 LW1• 1 ✲Side B runout, variant 2
BS-1-2897 WW1 · ─◁Variant 1, side A runout
BS-2-2897 WW1 · ─◁Variant 1, side B runout
BS-1-2897 WW1 #2 · ─◁Variant 2, side A runout
BS-2-2897 WW1 #3 · ─◁Variant 2, side B runout
BS-1-2897 WW1 #2 ─◁Side A runout
BS-2-2897 WW1 #3 ─◁Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10091WFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10091WFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56172First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1302First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records HWBS 321 124First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K56172 / Warner Bros. Records K 56172First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56172LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2897LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 56172LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Friday Music FRM-2897LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 603497859207 / Warner Bros. Records R1 2897LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Warner Bros. Records RCV1 2897 / Warner Bros. Records 603497856251LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Warner Records RES1 2897 / Warner Records 081227804404LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 603497859207LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10091WLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Snakes And Ladders / The Best Of Faces are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1976 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records K56172.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K56172, BS 2897, P-10091W, WB 56172) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 56172 A1 ALLN and K 56172 B1. 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.
