Vinyl pressings
by Peter Hammill · 1971
Fool's Mate was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 5 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.
CAS 1037 A-2UA-side runout - variant 1
CAS 1037 B-1UB-side runout - variant 1
CAS 1037 A-2U 1 MA-side runout - variant 2
CAS 1037 B-1U 1 RB-side runout - variant 2
CAS-1037-A-2 BellSound SON BreA-Side Runout Etching
CAS-1037-B-2 BellSound SON BreB-Side Runout Etching
CAS-1037-AA-Side Label
CAS-1037-BB-Side Label
CAS-1037-S1Side A runout
CAS-1037-S2Side B runout
10 AA6369911 1Y 320 BRunout side A
10 AA6369911 2Y 320 1Runout side B
AA 6369 911.1 YLabel side A
AA 6369 911.2 YLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Charisma CAS 1037 / Buddah Records CAS 1037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Philips 6369 911First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Philips 6369 911First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Charisma CAS-1037First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Charisma CAS 1037First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | Charisma CAS 1037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Australia | Philips 6369 911LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Philips 6369 911 LLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Philips 6369 911 LLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS-1037LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS-1037LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS 1037 / Charisma CAS-1037LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Italy | Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Charisma 9199 190 / Philips 9199 190LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Charisma 9199 190 / Philips 9199 190LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin CH 2 / Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CHC 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Charisma CAS 1037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of Fool's Mate are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Charisma CAS 1037, released July 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAS 1037, CAS-1037, 6369 911) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CAS 1037 A-2U and CAS 1037 B-1U. 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.
