Vinyl pressings
by John Sebastian · 1971
The Four Of Us was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 10 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.
MS-2041 31268-1 ae B3 PRunout side A, variant 1
MS-2041 31269-1 ae PRunout side B, variant 1
MS-2041 31268-RE-1 ae P CRunout side A, variant 2
MS-2041 31264-RE-1 ae P A ORunout side B, variant 2
S l MS-2041-A 31268-1A aeSide A runout etched
Ƨ \ MS-2041-B 31269-1A ae A8Side B runout etched
31,268Side A label
31,269Side B label
T1 MS-2041 31268-1 aeRunout side A, variant 1
T1 MS-2041 31269-1 aeRunout side B, variant 1
T1 MS 2041 31268-1-1 aƐRunout side A, variant 2
T1 MS 2041 31269-1-1 aƐRunout side B, variant 2
I MS 2041-A 31268-1A aeSide A etched
I MS-2041-B 31269-1B ae ASide B etched
K-44149-A1Stamped Side A runout
K-44149-B1Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Reprise Records 44149 / Reprise Records (2041)First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 44 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Japan | Reprise Records P-8158RFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | Reprise Records P-8158RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RS 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Philippines | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Reprise Records RRC 2041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Reprise Records K44149First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records MS 2041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records R113592LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
16 vinyl pressings of The Four Of Us are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2041, released August 9, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2041, K44149, 44149, REP 44 149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS-2041 31268-1 ae B3 P and MS-2041 31269-1 ae P. 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.
