Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1970
Mother 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.
17 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-X-47426-Z1 Bell Sound sf —◁A side runout, variant 1
45-X-47427-Z1 Bell Sound sf —◁B side runout, variant 1
45-X-47426 Z2 ... 1-S Bell Sound sf —◁ [Scranton Triangle-IAM logo scratched out]A side runout, variant 2
45-X-47427 Z1 ... #4 Bell Sound sf —◁ [Scranton Triangle-IAM logo scratched out]B side runout, variant 2
45-X-47426 z2 #3 Bell Sound sfA-side variant 1
S45-X-47427 z2 zz3 Bell Sound sfB-side variant 1
45-X-47426 z1 Bell Sound sf iamA-side variant 2
S45-X-47427 z2 Bell Sound sf iamB-side variant 2
45-X-47426 z10A-side, variant 1
S45-X-47427 z9B-side, variant 1
45-X-47426 Z9•• 1 Bell Sound sf ✲ 2A-side, variant 2
S-45-X-47427 Z9• 1 Bell Sound sf ✲B-side, variant 2
45-X-47426 Z5 2 1827#3 Bell Sound sf 1 ORunout A, variant 1
S-45-X-47427 Z5 2 1827# 1Bell Sound sf 1 ORunout B, variant 1
45-X-47426 Z5... 1827 Bell Sound sf 0Runout A, variant 2
S-45-X-47427 Z5.. 1827#1 Bell Sound sf 0Runout B, variant 2
45-X-47426 Z5 1827Side A
S-45-X-47427 Z6 1827#2Side B
45-X-47426 Z6 1827#2 Bell Sound 3f oSide A (Variant 1)
S-45-X-47427 Z5 2 1827#2 Bell Sound sf 0Side B (Variant 1)
45-X-47426 Z1 Bell Sound sf IAMA side runout
S-45-X-47427 Z2 #3 Bell Sound sf IAMB side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Apple Records 1827First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-04 726First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Portugal | Parlophone 8E 006-04726 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Australia | Apple Records APPLE-9401First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | France | Apple Records 2 C006-04726 M / Apple Records 2 C 006-04726 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Philippines | Apple Records PAL-60963First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Portugal | Parlophone 8E 006-04726 / Parlophone 8E 006-04726 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Apple Records 1827First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Apple Records 31C 006 04726Y7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | Odeon EAS-171237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Peru | Apple Records 112587", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Peru | Apple Records 112587", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Philippines | Apple Records PAL-609637", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Venezuela | Apple Records 342017", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Venezuela | Apple Records 4AP 18257", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
55 vinyl pressings of Mother are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1970 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, France, Philippines and more. One of them is Apple Records 1827, released December 28, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1827, APPLE-9401, 2 C006-04726 M, PAL-60963) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-X-47426-Z1 Bell Sound sf —◁ and 45-X-47427-Z1 Bell Sound sf —◁. 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.
