Vinyl pressings
by Joe Farrell · 1974
Penny Arcade 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.
10 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
RVG SQ̷̶̷ 87692 A-3 T VAN GELDER A 9Runout side A variant 1
RVG SQ̷̶̷ 87692 B-1 T VAN GELDER A 13Runout side B, variant 1
RVG S̶Q̶ · 87692 ·A -2 · VAN GELDERRunout side A, variant 2
RVG S̶Q̶ · 87692 ·B-3 · VAN GELDERRunout side B, variant 2
VAN GELDERA-B-Side Machine Stamped
RVG SQ 87692 A-3A-Side Handwritten
RVG SQ 87692 B-2B-Side Handwritten
RVG 87692 AA-Side Label
RVG SQ 87692 A-3 VAN GELDERA etched, VAN GELDER stamped
RVG SQ. 87692.B-3. VAN GELDERB etched, VAN GELDER stamped
RVG SQ 87692 AA label matrix
RVG SQ 87692 BB label matrix
RVG.SQ.87692.A-2. VAN GELDERSide A Runout
RVG.SQ.87692.B-3. VAN GELDER ASide B Runout
RVG 87692 ASide A Label
RVG 87692 BSide B Label
RVG-XXXX-87692-A-3Side A
RVG-XXXX-87692-B-3Side B
VAN GELDER (stamped)Both Sides
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 | Brazil | CTI Records OW 590First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | CTI Records CTI 6034 / CTI Records CTI-6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | King Records SR 3355 / CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | CTI Records CTI 6034First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Spain | CTI Records HCTS 731-37LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | CTI Records LAX-3283LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
12 vinyl pressings of Penny Arcade are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Brazil, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is CTI Records CTI 6034, released February 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTI 6034, OW 590, SR 3355) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG SQ̷̶̷ 87692 A-3 T VAN GELDER A 9 and RVG SQ̷̶̷ 87692 B-1 T VAN GELDER A 13. 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.
