Vinyl pressings
by Michael Franks · 1975
The Art Of Tea was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, 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.
MS-1-2230 WW4 ─◁Runout, Variant 1, Side A - etched
MS-2-2230 WW5 ─◁Runout, Variant 1, Side B - etched
MS-2-2230 WW2 #2 ─◁Runout, Variant 2, Side A - etched
MS-2-2230 - WW4 ─◁Runout, Variant 2, Side B - etched
MS-1-2230-LW9. #2 2 ✲[scratched out] 0Etched Side A; Stamped 2 ✲
MS-2-2230-JW3 "웃" #1 0Etched Side B; Stamped 0
\ S MS 2230 31924-1B TML-M(stamped) SXT I BSide A runout etched
\ S MS 2230 31925-1C TML-M(stamped) SXT CSide B runout etched
31,924Side A label
31,925Side B label
S MS 2230 31924-1B A2 TML-MSide A runout
S MS 2230 31925-1C A2 TML-MSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Philippines | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Reprise Records RRX 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | US | Reprise Records MS 2230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10255RLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Reprise Records P-6356RLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Portugal | Reprise Records REP 54048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | Reprise Records LB 54048 / Reprise Records 54048LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records K 54 048LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Shilla Records/Capuz MusicLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Germany | Reprise Records MS 2230 / Speakers Corner Records Reprise MS 2230LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2021 | Europe | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 X / Reprise Records REP 54 048LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records K 54 048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records (MS 2230)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Reprise Records REP 54 048 X / Reprise Records REP 54 048LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records K 54048LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Reprise Records REP 54 048 / Reprise Records MS 2230LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of The Art Of Tea are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1975 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Canada, Philippines, South Africa. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2230.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2230, RRX 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS-1-2230 WW4 ─◁ and MS-2-2230 WW5 ─◁. 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.
