Vinyl pressings
by Fairport Convention · 1973
Nine 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.
13 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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 9246 A-1U CO STERLING 2Side A runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9246 B-1U O STERLING 2Side B runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9246 A-1U STERLINGSide A runout stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9246 B-1U STERLINGSide B runout stamped, variant 2
P ̶S̶P̶-̶4̶7̶1̶3̶ ̶-̶P̶1̶ A&M SP3605- ̶R̶E̶ ̶1̶ P1 ASide A runout
P A&M SP 3606 P1 ̶S̶P̶-̶4̶7̶1̶4̶-̶ ̶P̶1̶ ASide B runout
SP-3605Side A label
SP-3606Side B label
T1 SP-4̷7̷1̷3̷ - T1 3605 Λ5Side A runout
T1 SP-4̷7̷1̷4̷ - T1 3606 D5Side B runout
SP-3605Side A label
SP-3606Side B label
SP-4̶̷7̶̷1̶̷3̶̷ 3605 M1 (MR) ✓ △18310 (2)Side A Runout
SP-4̶̷7̶̷1̶̷4̶̷ - M1 SP3606-M1 (MR) △18310-X (1)Side B Runout
SP-3605Side A Label
SP-3606Side B Label
SP-4̶̷7̶̷1̶̷3̶̷ 3605 M1 (MR) ✓ △18310 (2)Side A, Etched except for Monarch logo
SP-4̶̷7̶̷1̶̷4̶̷ - M1 SP3606-M1 (MR) △18310-X (1)Side B, Etched except for Monarch logo
SMX 43225 2ASide 1 runout hand etched
SMX 43226 2BSide 2 runout hand etched
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 | Australia | Island Records L 34996 / Island Records L-34,996First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Island Records ICL56First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Island Records ILPS 9246 / Island Records 87318 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Island Records IL-34996 / Island Records L 34996First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Island Records 87318 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-3603LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records SP-3603First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19246LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 87318 ITLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9246LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9246LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9246LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Nine are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9246, released September 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9246, SP-3603, L 34996, ILPS 19246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9246 A-1U CO STERLING 2 and ILPS 9246 B-1U O STERLING 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.
