Vinyl pressings
by Procol Harum · 1971
Flyback 4 - The Best Of Procol Harum 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 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.
1 TON 4 A - 1 U G RVariant 1 Side 1 Runout stamped
1 TON 4 B - 1 U PVariant 1 Side 2 Runout stamped
1 TON 4 A - 1 U 2Variant 2 Side 1 Runout stamped
1 TON 4 B - 1 U 1Variant 2 Side 2 Runout stamped
AKAY 17724 1S - 1A Q ΔRunout side A
AKAY 17725 1S - 1A Q ΔRunout side B
AKAY 17724Label side A
AKAY 17725Label side B
C 85076 A-1 Made in GermanySide A
C 85076 B-1 Made in GermanySide B
C 85976 A-1 Made in GermanySide A
C 85976 B-1 Made in GermanySide B
AKAY 17724 1S - 1A Q ΔRunout side A
AKAY 17725 1S - 1A Q ΔRunout side B
AKAY 17724Label side A
AKAY 17725Label 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 | Germany | Ariola 85 076 ITFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Ariola 85 076 ITFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Stateside 5C 052-92455First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Fly Records TON 4First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | IL ISP 34126First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | IL ISP 34126First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | France | Fly Series MFP5277LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Karussell 304LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Philippines | Karussell 2345 022 / Cube Records 2345 022LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Karussell 2345 022 / Karussell 2345.022LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5277 / Fly Records MFP 5277LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2345 022LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Stateside 5C 052-92455LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Stateside 5C052.92 455 / Stateside 5C 052-92455LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
25 vinyl pressings of Flyback 4 - The Best Of Procol Harum are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Italy, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Fly Records TON 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TON 4, ISP 34126, 85 076 IT, 5C 052-92455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 TON 4 A - 1 U G R and 1 TON 4 B - 1 U P. 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.
