Vinyl pressings
by Marianne Faithfull · 1969
Something Better / Sister Morphine 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.
13 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
XDR-44442-T1-1C K JT 1Runout side A, variant 1
XDR-44443-T1-1C K JT 1Runout side B, variant 1
XDR-44442-T1-1C U 1Runout side A, variant 2
XDR-44443-T1-1C U 1Runout side B, variant 2
XDR 44442A label matrix
XDR 44443B label matrix
ZXDR 44442 16842 ⓈSide A runout
ZXDR 44443 16843Side B runout
ZXDR 44442Side A label
ZXDR 44443Side B label
45-XDR44442 7XDEC1316A-side
45-XDR44443 7XDEC1317B-side
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 | Australia | Decca Y-8703First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Australia | Decca Y-8703First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Denmark | Decca F 12889First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Decca 79.045First year7", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | London Records TOP-1377First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Decca AT 15 133First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Decca DEC.474First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | Sweden | Decca F 12889First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | UK | Decca F 12889First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | London Records 45-LON-1022First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | London Records 45-LON-1022First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | US | London Records 45-1022First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1969 | UK | Decca F 12889First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Italy | CGD N 97527", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Decca 6103 0197", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Decca 37760047", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | 7", Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Decca GOLD 727", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | US | London Records 45-10227", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
18 vinyl pressings of Something Better / Sister Morphine are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Australia, Denmark and more. One of them is Decca F 12889, released February 21, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F 12889, 45-LON-1022, 45-1022, Y-8703) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XDR-44442-T1-1C K JT 1 and XDR-44443-T1-1C K JT 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.
