Vinyl pressings
by Jim Capaldi · 1974
Whale Meat Again was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
T 1 ILPS 9254 A-1D A 10 STERLING L ZRunout A variant 1 etch; STERLING stamp
T 1 ILPS 9254 B-1C STERLING L H 4 A 8Runout B variant 1 etch; STERLING stamp
T 1 ILPS 9254 A-1D A 10 STERLING L ZRunout A variant 2 etch; STERLING stamp
T 1 ILPS 9254 B-1C STERLING L H 4 B 8Runout B variant 2 etch; STERLING stamp
P ILPS 9254 A-1F A1 STERLING 2 LHRunout A, variant 1
P ILPS 9254 B-1E STERLING C3Runout B, variant 1
P ILPS 9254 A-1F 1 A 2 STERLING LHRunout A, variant 2
P ILPS 9254 B-1E 1 STERLING A 2Runout B, variant 2
ϟ 1 ILPS 9254 A-1A STERLING LH A5Runout A, variant 1
ϟ 1 ILPS 9254 B-1A STERLING A1Runout B, variant 1
S 1 ILPS 9254 A-1B STERLING A1Runout A, variant 2
S 1 ILPS 9254 B-1A STERLING A1Runout B, variant 2
ILPS 9254 A-2U STERLINGSide A, runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9254 B-2U STERLINGSide B, runout stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9254 A-2U L STERLING LH 2 1Side A runout, stamped (LH 2 etched) variant 2
ILPS 9254 B-2U STERLING LH 2 H 1Side B runout, stamped (LH 2 etched) variant 2
I SMX.44539 2BSide A
I SMX.44540 2A.Side B
410 039 A
410 039 B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Island Records L 35224First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Island Records 410 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Island Records 9101 634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Island Records ILS-80073First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Spain | Island Records 88010 IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Sweden | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Venezuela | Island Records 140.024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Island Records ILPS 9254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9254LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | Spain | Island Records 880101 ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Whale Meat Again are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9254, released July 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9254, L 35224, 410 039, 9101 634) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 1 ILPS 9254 A-1D A 10 STERLING L Z and T 1 ILPS 9254 B-1C STERLING L H 4 A 8. 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.
