Vinyl pressings
by John Stewart · 1969
California Bloodlines 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.
6 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ST-1-203-H-3• 1 ✲Runout side A, etched (except 1 ✲ stamped)
ST-2-203-H-3• 1 ✲Runout side B, etched (except 1 ✲ stamped)
ST 1-201Matrix side A, on label
ST 2-201Matrix side B, on label
ST1-203-A1Side A, runout, etched
ST2-203-A1Side B, runout, etched
IAM [in triangle]Both sides, runout, stamped
ST1-203Side A, label
ST 1 203 W1 #1 0Runout side A, etched, variant 1
ST 2 203 W1 0Runout side B, etched, variant 1
ST 1 203 W1 #2 0Runout side A, etched, variant 2
ST 2 203 W1 #1 0Runout side B, etched, variant 2
E ST1 203-H4Side A runout stamped
E ST1 203-H4Side B runout stamped
E-ST1.203Label - side A
E-ST1.203Label - side B
ST1-203-W2Runout Side 1
ST2-203-W2Runout Side 2
ST1-203Label Side 1
ST2-203Label Side 2
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 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 203 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ◦ 80115First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST-203LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST-203LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SM 203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Canada | Capitol Records SM-203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 203 / Capitol Records 0C 062 ◦ 80115LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records SM 203LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records SM-203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records SM 203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Australia | World Record Club R-02166 / World Record Club R 02166LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-11987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | World Record Club 8639CLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-11987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN 16150LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-11987LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16150LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of California Bloodlines are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records ST-203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-203, E-ST 203, ST 203) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-203-H-3• 1 ✲ and ST-2-203-H-3• 1 ✲. 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.
