Vinyl pressings
by Rick Grech · 1973
The Last Five Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-SO732911-B ATSide A runout variant 1
ST-SO732912-B ATSide B runout variant 1
ST-SO-732911-B+ 1-11 AT CSide A runout variant 2
ST-SO-732912-B-1-11 AT DSide B runout variant 2
ST-SO732911-B ATSide A runout, variant 1
ST-SO732912-B ATSide B runout, variant 1
ST-SO-732911 SPSide A label
ST-SO-732912 SPSide B label
ST-SO-732911-BB MR(CIRCLED) AT △ 18221(1)Side A
ST-SO-732911-BB MR(CIRCLED) AT △ 18227-X (1)Side B
ST-SO732911-B AT [SRC logo]Runout side A
ST-SO732912-B AT [SRC logo]Runout side B
ST-SO-732911 SPLabel side A
ST-SO-732912 SPLabel side B
ST-SO732911-B AT [SRC logo]Runout side A
ST-SO732912-B AT [SRC logo]Runout side B
ST-SO-732911 SPLabel side A
ST-SO-732912 SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Argentina | RSO 2394 111 / RSO 5405First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | RSO 2394 111First yearCompilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1973 | France | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1973 | UK | RSO 2394 111First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | RSO SO 876First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | RSO SO 876First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | RSO SO 876First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | RSO SO 876First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | RSO SO 876First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | RSO 2394 111First yearCompilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1973 | Japan | RSO MW 2079First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Last Five Years are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is RSO SO 876.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SO 876, 2394 111, MW 2079) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-SO732911-B AT and ST-SO732912-B AT. 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.
