Vinyl pressings
by Gustav Holst · 1970
The Planets was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670 ℗1970 17 3Runout stamped side A, variant 1
AA 6500 672 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 11 3 12Runout stamped side B, variant 1
AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670 ℗1970 12 13Runout stamped side A, variant 2
AA 6500 072 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 11 3 12Runout stamped side B, variant 2
AA 6500 072 1Y 11 1 04Runout stamped side A, variant 1
AA 6500 672 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 11 10 12 C2Runout stamped side B, variant 1
AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670℗ 1970 112
AA 6500 072 2Y 1 670℗ 1970 112
AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670 ℗1970 17 3Side 1 runout, variant 1
AA 6500 672 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 11 3 12Side 2 runout, variant 1
AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670 ℗1970 133Side 1 runout, variant 2
AA 6500 672 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 116Side 2 runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Europe | Philips 6500 072First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Germany | Philips 6500 072First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Philips 6500 072First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Philips 6500 072First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Philips 6500 072First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Philips 6500.072LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Philips 6500 072LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Philips 6500 072LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Fontana FG-331LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Philips 6851125LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Philips 6851 125LP | LP |
| 1982 | Spain | Philips 68 51 125LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK & Ireland | Reader's Digest RDS 9149LP | LP |
| 1987 | Portugal | Philips 68 51 125LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Reader's Digest RDS 9149 / Reader's Digest RDES 3025LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | Philips 6500 072LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Philips 20PC-1001 / Philips 6500 072LP | LP |
| ? | Portugal | Reader's Digest RDS 9149LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of The Planets are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1970 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, Europe, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Philips 6500 072.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6500 072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6500 072 1Y 1 670 ℗1970 17 3 and AA 6500 672 2Y 3 ℗1970 670 11 3 12. 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.
