Vinyl pressings
by Joy Of Cooking · 1972
Castles was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2 1-11050-B-3• • 1 ✲Runout side A, variant 1
2-11015-B-3• 1 ✲Runout side B, variant 1
1-11050-B-3• 1 ✲Runout side A, variant 2
2-11050-B-3• 2 ✲Runout side B, variant 2
ST-1-11050.A5Runout side A
ST-2-11050.A5Runout side B
ST1 11050 B4# 0Side A runout
ST2 11050 B4#2 0Side B runout
ST 1-11050Side A label
ST 2-11050Side B label
ST-1-11050 A5 ─◁Side A runout, variant 1
ST-2-11050 A5 ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
ST- 1- 11050.A5 ─◁Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2- 11050- A5 ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
ST-1-11050Side A runout
ST-2-11050-B5Side B runout
ST-1-11050Side A label
ST-2-11050Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 11050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Spain | Capitol Records ST 11050 / Capitol Records 1 J 062-81.196First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 11050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST-11050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST- 11050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST 11050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records ST 11050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records ST-11050LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-11050LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST 11050LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Castles are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, Spain. One of them is Capitol Records ST-11050.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-11050, ST- 11050, ST 11050, E-ST 11050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 1-11050-B-3• • 1 ✲ and 2-11015-B-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.
