Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1969
Looking Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ARL-8987.P-1ARunout Side A, Variant 1
ARL-8988.P-1ARunout Side B, Variant 1
ARL-8987.P-1A U JT 1Runout Side A, Variant 2
ARL-8988.P-1A C JT 1Runout Side B, Variant 2
ZAL-8987.P-2W K J 1Runout side A
ZAL-8988.P-2W DK 1Runout side B
ZAL.8987PLabel side A, inverted
ZAL.8988PLabel side B, inverted
ZAL 8987 P-2WRunout, A-side stamped, Variant 1
ZAL 8988 P-2WRunout, B-side stamped, Variant 1
ZAL-8987.P-2W K JT 1Runout, A-side stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-8988.P-2W H JT 1Runout, B-side stamped, Variant 2
ZAL-8987.P-2WRunout side A
ZAL-8988.P-2WRunout side B
ZAL.8987PLabel side A
ZAL.8988PLabel side B
ZAL-8987.P-2WRunout Side 1
ZAL-8988.P-2WRunout Side 2
ZAL-8987.P-2W C JT 1Runout Side 1, variant 2
ZAL-8988.P-2W U JT 1Runout Side 2, variant 2
○ T 9 ZAL 8987-P 2 Bell Sound sf ΛVar.1 Side A - runout
○ ZAL 8988-P 1 Bell Sound sfVar.1 Side B - runout
P o ZAL 8987-P1 Bell Sound sf V BVar.2 Side A runout
P o ZAL 8987-P1 Bell Sound sf V BVar.2 Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Decca SKLA 5010 / Decca SKLA-5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | London Records PS 562First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | France | Decca SKL 5010 / Decca SKL 5.010First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | Greece | Decca 45111First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | Italy | Decca SKLI 5010First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Decca 370 100 NUFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Decca SKLM 5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SKL 5010 / Decca SKL.5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SKL 5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SKL 5010LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SKL 5010 / Decca SKL.5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SKL 5010 / Decca SKL.5010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | London Records PS 562First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | London Records PS 562First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | London Records PS 562First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | London Records SLC-286LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Japan | London Records SLC-286LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | Richmond B20270LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Decca SKL 5010LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | London Records K16P-9071LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Japan | London Records SLC 535LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Italy | Decca SKLI 5010LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | US | London Records 820-331-1 / London Records PS 562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | London Records PS 562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | London Records 820-331-1 / London Records PS 562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Endless Happiness HE69020LP, Album, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Belgium | Decca SKL 5010LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | Decca SKL 5010LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | London Records MIP-1-9396LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Decca SKL 45111 / Decca DECCA 45111LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Decca SKLI 5010LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Decca SKLI 5010LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 5010LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Decca SKL 5010LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records MIP-1-9396LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | London Records PS 562LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | London Records PS 562LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| ? | US | London Records PS 562LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records PS 562LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
43 vinyl pressings of Looking Back are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1969 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Decca LK 5010, released August 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LK 5010, SKL 5010, PS 562, SKLA 5010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL-8987.P-1A and ARL-8988.P-1A. 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.
