Vinyl pressings
by "Godspell" Original London Cast · 1971
Godspell was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 2 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.
BELLS 203 A - 1USide A, Runout stamp - Variant 1
BELLS 203 B - 3USide B, Runout stamp - Variant 1
BELLS 203 A-1U DH 1Side A, Runout stamp - Variant 2
BELLS 203 B-3U ᴧ·– 4Side B, Runout stamp - Variant 2
BELLS 203 A-1U AH 2Side A runout
BELLS 203 B-3U OH 1Side B runout
BELLS.203ASide A label
BELLS.203BSide B label
BELLS 203 A-1U OT 1Side A runout
BELLS 203 B-3U LR 4Side B runout
BELLS.203ASide A label
BELLS.203BSide B label
BELLS 203 A-1USide A runout
BELLS 203 B-3USide B runout
BELLS.203ASide A label
BELLS.203BSide B label
1 ℗ 1971 B7X2 ◊G B 00 2308 025 S1Runout, Side A, Stamped
B 1 ℗ 1971 B72 ◊G B 00 2308 025 S2Runout, Side B, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Bell Records 2308 025First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Bell Records 2308 025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Bell Records 2308 025First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | Horizon SH66 94086LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Horizon HZ-19LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Bell Records 23 08 025LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 203LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Arista BELLS 203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | UK | Bell Records BELL 1102 / Bell Records BELLS 203LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Godspell are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1971 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Germany. One of them is Bell Records BELLS 203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BELLS 203, 2308 025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BELLS 203 A - 1U and BELLS 203 B - 3U. 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.
