Vinyl pressings
by Otis Spann · 1969
The Biggest Thing Since Colossus 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.
11 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 6 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.
S7-63217 A1Side A runout variant 1
S7-63217 B1Side B runout variant 1
S7-63217 A1 1 ASide A runout variant 2
S7-63217 B1 1 ASide B runout variant 2
BH 4802-ASide A runout
BH 4802 B A2 SterlingSide B runout
BH 4802 ASide A label
BH 4802 BSide B label
BH 4802 AA runout etched
BH 4802 B-2 STERLINGB runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped
BH-4802 A [triangle with line] 16564 STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 1
BH-4802 B [circle with some initials] [triangle with line] 16564 - XSide B runout, variant 1
BH • 4802 A MR [circled] △14564 STERLING RLSide A runout, variant 2
BH 4802 B MR [circled] △14564-XSide B runout, variant 2
BH-4802-AA runout etched, originally typo'ed as "4502" but with an 8 etched over the 5
BH 4802-B CP-4 STERLING RLB runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped
BH 4802 AA label matix
BH 4802 BB label matix
BH 4802-A △16564 STERLING (MR)Side A etched runout, stamped Sterling / circled MR
BH 4802-B △16564-X STERLING (MR)Side B etched runout, stamped Sterling / circled MR
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 | CBS SPB 233945 / Blue Horizon 7-63217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Columbia ELS 366 / Columbia ELS-366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Blue Horizon S 7-63217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473741First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Blue Horizon 7-63217 / Blue Horizon S 7-63217First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | UK | Blue Horizon 7-63217 / Blue Horizon S 7-63217LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Columbia MOVLP1178 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP1178LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Blue Horizon 7-63217LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802 / Blue Horizon ST-93328LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Blue Horizon BH 4802LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Biggest Thing Since Colossus are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1969 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Blue Horizon 7-63217, released April 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-63217, BH 4802, SPB 233945, ELS 366) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S7-63217 A1 and S7-63217 B1. 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.
