Vinyl pressings
by Jefferson Airplane · 1967
Somebody To Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 16 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.
TPKM-4886--1S A2 RA side deadwax, stamped, variant 1
TPKM-4881--1S A1 RB side deadwax, stamped, variant 1
TPKM-4886--1S RA side deadwax, stamped, variant 2
TPKM-4881--1S RB side deadwax, stamped, variant 2
TPKM-4886--2S A5A side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
TPKM-4881--2S A1B side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
TPKM-4886--2S A1A side deadwax - stamped, variant 2
TPKM-4881--2S A1B side deadwax - stamped, variant 2
TPKM-4886--3S HRunout A, stamped
TPKM-4881--3S HRunout B, stamped
TPKM-4886Label A
TPKM-4881Label B
[s-shaped block stamp] TPKM-4886--5S 12A-Side Runout Etching
[s-shaped block stamp] TPKM-4881--6S 12B-Side Runout Etching
TPKM-4886A-Side Label
TPKM-4881B-Side Label
TPKM-4886--3S HA side deadwax - stamped
TPKM-4881--3S HB side deadwax - stamped
TPKM-4886A side label
TPKM-4881B side label
TPKM 4886--1S RA side runout
TPKM 4881--1S RB side runout
TPKM -4886A side label
TPKM-4881B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-1109First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Australia | RCA 47-9140First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Australia | RCA 47-9140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Australia | RCA 47-9140First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Brazil | RCA Victor LC-16159First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-9140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-9140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Egypt | RCA Victor ES-RCA-87First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-9140First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Germany | RCA Victor 47-9140First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Greece | RCA Victor 47g-1331First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | India | RCA Victor 47-9140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Japan | Victor SS-1752First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Japan | Victor SS-1752First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Japan | Victor SS-1752First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Japan | RCA SS-17527", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Japan | RCA SS-25867", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | El Salvador | RCA Victor 47-91407", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| ? | El Salvador | RCA Victor ELK-001697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | RCA SS-17527", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Lebanon | RCA Victor MA 40667", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Somebody To Love are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1967 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-9140, released March 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-9140, RCA 1594, 1594, 31A-1109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TPKM-4886--1S A2 R and TPKM-4881--1S A1 R. 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.
