Vinyl pressings
by Lost And Found · 1968
Forever Lasting Plastic Words was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year. 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.
IAS LP-3 SIDE 2 1-AVariant 1 Runout A side; etched
IAS LP-3 RE-1 Side 1 1-AVariant 1 Runout B side; etched
IAS LP-3 RE-1 Side 1 1-AVariant 2 Runout A side; etched
IAS LP-3 Side 2 1-A Jim KerrVariant 2 Runout B side; etched
IAS LP-3 SIDE 2 1-ARun-out info [hand-etched] side A
IAS LP-3 RE-1 Side 1 1-ARun-out info [hand-etched] 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | International Artists IA-LP # 3 / International Artists IA-LP-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | International Artists IA-LP # 3 / International Artists IA-LP-3First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Decal LIK 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Italy | Get Back GET538LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Italy | Get Back GET538LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | International Artists IA-LP # 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Get Back GET538LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | International Artists IA-LP # 3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | International Artists IA-LP # 3 / International Artists IA-LP-3LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | International Artists IA-LP # 3 / International Artists IA-LP-3LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Forever Lasting Plastic Words are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US. One of them is International Artists IA-LP # 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IA-LP # 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IAS LP-3 SIDE 2 1-A and IAS LP-3 RE-1 Side 1 1-A. 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.
