Vinyl pressings
by George Benson · 1968
Shape Of Things To Come was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 3 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.
Audio Matrix TX 3027-5 VAN GELDER D1Side A runout, variant 1
3028-5 AM1XT VAN GELDER 4 - 24 - 69 A7Side B runout, variant 1
3027 11-6-68 VAN GELDER 2Side A runout, variant 2
3028 VAN GELDER 11-6-68 1Side B runout, variant 2
SP-3027Label, side A
SP-3028Label, side B
3028-1 A12669
3027-6 A12669-x
(Side A & B Mastering Engineer Stamp): VAN GELDER
3027-4-RE (MR) VAN GELDER △12669 AUDIO MATRIXSide 1 runout [etched, except for (MR) VAN GELDER which is stamped]
3028-1 (MR) VAN GELDER △12669-XSide 2 runout [etched, except for (MR) VAN GELDER which is stamped]
SP-3027Label, side 1
SP-3028Label, side 2
LP-2027Label, side A
LP-2028Label, side B
AUDIO MATRIX 3027-4 RE T[Logo]/2669 VAN GELDER [stamped]Side A, runout, etched
3028-2 S[Logo]/2669-X VAN GELDER [stamped]Side B, runout, etched
(SP-3027)Side A, on label
(SP-3028)Side A, on label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records LP-2014First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | A&M Records A&M 2038LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Italy | A&M Records SP-4014 / CTI Records SP-4014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | A&M Records AML-316 / CTI Records AML-316LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | A&M Records AML-316 / CTI Records AML-316LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 945 / CTI Records AMLS 945LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 63.014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | A&M Records LAX 3107LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L 36587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-7029LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220318 / A&M Records SP-3014LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3104LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-9-3014LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Spain | A&M Records 393 104-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Spain | A&M Records 393 104-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C25Y3806LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Russia | Endless Happiness 5060672888936LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3027LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-69801 / CTI Records SP-69801LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 104-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 104-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records SP-3014 / CTI Records SP-3014LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | A&M Records AMNP 104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 63014LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | A&M Records AMP-18006 / CTI Records AMP-18006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3104LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3104 / CTI Records SP-3104LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Shape Of Things To Come are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1968 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is A&M Records SP-3014, released November 6, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3014, L 36587) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Audio Matrix TX 3027-5 VAN GELDER D1 and 3028-5 AM1XT VAN GELDER 4 - 24 - 69 A7. 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.
