Vinyl pressings
by Flaming Youth · 1969
Ark 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 5 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.
881017 1Y*1 420 11 6Side A stamped, variant 1
881017 2Y*1 420 11 4Side B stamped, variant 1
881017 1Y*1 420 11 1Side A stamped, variant 2
881017 2Y*1 420 11 2Side B stamped, variant 2
881017 1Y*420 1 1 7Side A
881017 2Y*420 1 1 7Side B
2YS1488 882017 TYSide A runout
2YS1489 882017 TYSide B runout
US 1150 T3 ISide A runout
US 1151 T3 ISide B runout
AA 881 017 1Y 1 P1969 670 1 1 2Side A, variant 1
AA 881 017 2Y 1 P1969 670 1 1 2Side B, variant 1
AA 881 017 1Y 1 P1969 670 1 1 3Side A, variant 2
AA 881 017 2Y 1 P1969 670 1 1 3Side B, variant 2
AA 881 017 1Y 1 P1969 670 PSide A runout
AA 881 017 2Y 1 P1969 670 PSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Fontana 881 017 TYFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | UNI Records 7-3075First yearLP | LP |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Fontana 881 017 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Fontana STL 5533 / Fontana 881 017 TYLP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Fontana TY 881017First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Fontana 881 017 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Fontana STL 5533 / Fontana 881 017 TYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Fontana 58 81 017LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | UNI Records 73075LP | LP |
| 1970 | US | UNI Records 73075LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | UNI Records 73075LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | UNI Records 73075LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Netherlands | Fontana 822 654-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | France | Klimt Records MJJ439CWLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
14 vinyl pressings of Ark 2 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1969 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, Australia, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Fontana STL 5533, released October 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STL 5533, 881 017 TY, 7-3075, TY 881017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 881017 1Y*1 420 11 6 and 881017 2Y*1 420 11 4. 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.
