Vinyl pressings
by Quiet Sun · 1975
Mainstream 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.
5 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.
HELP 19 A-1 TSide A runout, variant 1
HELP 19 B-1 MSide B runout, variant 1
HELP 19 A-1 A 1 6Side A runout, variant 2
HELP 19 B-1 2 4Side B runout, variant 2
HELP 19 A-1 1 ⸫ 2Side A runout, Variant 1
HELP 19 B-1 2 4Side B runout, Variant 1
HELP 19 A-1 ⸫ 1 2Side A runout, Variant 2
HELP 19 B-1 2 7Side B runout, Variant 2
AN 7008-A-1-Re KENDUN A C 1 TSide A runout, variant 1
AN-7008-B-1 KENDUN T 1Side B runout, variant 1
AN 7008-A-1-Re KENDUN A C 1 TSide A runout, variant 2
AN-7008-B-1 KENDUN B 3 T 1Side B runout, variant 2
AN 7008-A-1-Re KENDUN A B 1 TSide A runout, variant 1
AN-7008-B-1 KENDUN T 1Side B runout, variant 1
ISL 9101 649 1 380 CIDISSide A
ISL 9101 649 2 380 CIDISSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Antilles AN-7008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Island Records 9101 649First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records HELP 19First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Island Records HELP 19First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Antilles AN-7008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Island Records HELP 19LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2343 093LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF1147LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF1147LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Vinyl 180 VIN180LP043 / Expression Records VIN180LP043LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UK | Expression Records EXPBR45LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Editions EG EGED 4 / Polydor 2335 242LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Editions EG EGED 4 / Polydor 2343093LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Antilles AN-7008LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Mainstream are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1975 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Canada, France. One of them is Island Records HELP 19.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HELP 19, AN-7008, 9101 649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HELP 19 A-1 T and HELP 19 B-1 M. 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.
