Vinyl pressings
by Fairport Convention · 1976
Fairport Chronicles 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.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year. 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.
AM SP 3593 M2 (MR) △20588(2)Disc 1 A-side runout
AM SP 3594 M2 (MR) △20588-X(2)Disc 1 B-side runout
AM SP 3595 M1 (MR) △20589(1)Disc 2 C-side runout
AM SP 3596 M1 (MR) △20589-X(1)Disc 2 D-side runout
TI AM SP 3593 TIRunout A, etched, variant 1
A&M SP-3594-P4Runout B, etched, variant 1
TI A&m SP 3595-T7Runout C, etched, variant 1
T AM SP 3596 T6Runout D, etched, variant 1
AM SP 3593 IND-2Side A runout
AM SP 3594 M1 A1E (MR) △20588-XSide B runout
AM SP 3595 M1 (MR) △20589Side C runout
AM SP 3596 M1 (MR) A1 △20589-XSide D runout
T2 AM SP 3593 TI BRunout A, etched
T1 A&M SP-3594 T1 BRunout B, etched
T\ A&M SP 3595-T1 ARunout C, etched
T1 AM SP 3596 T1Runout D, etched
AM SP 3593 MI X MR △20588 CRP-PITTMANRunout A
AM SP 3594 MI X MR △20588-X CRP-PITTMANRunout B
AM SP 3595 MI X MR △20589 CRP-PITTMANRunout C
AM SP 3596 MI MR △20589-X CRP-PITTMANRunout D
AM SP 3593 MI MR △20588(I)Side 1 runout
AM SP 3594 MI (I) MR △20588-XSide 2 runout
AM SP 3595 MI MR △20589(I)Side 3 runout
AM SP 3593 MI MR △20589(I)Side 4 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 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-3530 / A&M Records SP-6016LP, Compilation, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP 3530 / A&M Records SP-3530First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 6016 / A&M Records SP-6016LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP 6016LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
11 vinyl pressings of Fairport Chronicles are listed here, from 1 country.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US. One of them is A&M Records SP 3530.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 3530, SP-3530) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM SP 3593 M2 (MR) △20588(2) and AM SP 3594 M2 (MR) △20588-X(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.
