Vinyl pressings
by Laibach · 1988
Let It Be was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
STUMM 58 AI The Exchange PR-PRunout side A variant 1
STUMM 58 BI PR-PRunout side B variant 1
STUMM 58 AI The Exchange PR-P 2Runout side A variant 2
STUMM 58 BI PR-P FRunout side B variant 2
STUMM 58 A1 The Exchange PR-P BSide A runout, etched
STUMM 58 B1 Jonz PR-P BSide B runout, etched
STUMM 58 A¹ The Exchange PR-P TSide A runout, etched
STUMM 58 B¹ Jonz PR-P FSide B runout, etched
DMC-4962 A-1/10-88 CStamped Side A
D MC-4962 B-1/10-88 CStamped Side B
C-4962 ALabel Side A
C-4962 BLabel Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | France | Mute 70668 / Virgin 70668First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Mute STUMM 58 / Mute INT 146.845First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Mute STUMM 58 / Mute INT 146.845First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Mute STUMM 58 / Mute INT 146.845First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1988 | UK | Mute STUMM 58First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | UK | Mute STUMM 58First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Enigma 7 75404-1 / Mute STUMM 58First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Mute STUMM 58First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin VG 50423 / Virgin V.G. 50423LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | ZKP RTVL LL 1729 / Mute STUMM 58LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Argentina | Pop Show D 25.220 / Mute D 25.220LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Mute 670.9335 / Mute MUTE 01288LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Let It Be are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1988 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, France, Germany. One of them is Mute STUMM 58, released October 24, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STUMM 58, 7 75404-1, 70668) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STUMM 58 AI The Exchange PR-P and STUMM 58 BI PR-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.
