Vinyl pressings
by IF · 1971
If 3 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.
13 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 10 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.
UAG 29158A-1U STERLINGVariant 1 Side A, stamped & etched
UAG 29158B-1U STERLINGVariant 1 Side B, stamped & etched
UAG 29158A-1UVariant 2 Side A, stamped & etched
UAG 29158B-1U STERLINGVariant 2 Side B, stamped & etched
SMAS 1-820 W3° ✲ STERLINGRunout Side 1
SMAS 2-820 W3° ✲ STERLINGRunout Side 2
SMAS-820 (SMAS 1-820)Label Side 1
SMAS-820 (SMAS 2-820)Label Side 2
SMAS-1-820 W 1 ─◁ STERLINGRunout side A, etched (Sterling stamped)
SMAS-2-820 W 1 ─◁ STERLINGRunout side B, etched (Sterling stamped)
SMAS-820 (SMAS 1-820)Label side A
SMAS-820 (SMAS 2-820)Label side B
SMAS-820 (SMAS 1-820)Label Side 1
SMAS-820 (SMAS 2-820)Label Side 2
Side 1: SMAS-1-820 W1 ─◁ STERLINGstamped & etched in runout
Side 2: SMAS-2-820 W1 ─◁ STERLINGstamped & etched in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | United Artists Records SUAL 934347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-820First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | France | United Artists Records UAG 29 158First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | United Artists Records UAS 29158 IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Italy | United Artists Records UASL 29158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Capitol Records CP-80339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | United Artists Records UAG 29158First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | United Artists Records SUAL-934347 / United Artists Records SUAL 934347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 29158First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | United Artists Records UAG 29158LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records SMAS-820First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records SMAS-820First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records SMAS-820First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records SMAS-820First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | SR International 61 310LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Repertoire Records REP 2388 / Repertoire Records V283LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of If 3 are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1971 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAG 29158.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAG 29158, SMAS-820, SUAL 934347, UAG 29 158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAG 29158A-1U STERLING and UAG 29158B-1U STERLING. 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.
