Vinyl pressings
by Robert Wyatt · 1974
I'm A Believer was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 9 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.
VS 114 A-1U RRunout, side A, variant 1
VS 114 B-1U R 1Runout, side B, variant 1
VS 114 A-1U GMRunout, side A, variant 2
VS 114 B-1U CGRunout, side B, variant 2
VR-29608-1 SP ATA-side runout
ST-VR-29608-1 AT SPB-side runout
VR-29608 SPLabel side A
ST-VR-29608 SPLabel side B
ST-VR-29608-1 AT SPA-side runout
ST-VR-29609-1 SP ATB-side runout
ST-VR-29608 SPLabel A side
ST-VR-29609 SPLabel B side
VR-29608-2 PP ATRunout A-side
ST-VR-29608-2 PP ATRunout B-side
VR-29608-PLLabel A-side
ST-VR-29608-PLLabel B-side
VR-29608-3 MR [stamped in circle] AT △95925Runout A-side - etched
ST-VR-29608-3 MR [stamped in circle] AT △95926Runout B-side - etched
VR-29608-MOMatrix on centre label - A side
ST-VR-29608-MOMatrix on centre label - B side
MX45181 (VS-114)Side One Label
MX45182 (VS-114)Side Two Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Virgin K-5681First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | Virgin 640 040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Virgin 13 617 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Ireland | Virgin VS.114First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Japan | Virgin VR 458 3/4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Virgin 13 591 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR-56000First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR-56000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR-56000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Virgin VR-56000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | UK | Virgin VS.114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | Virgin VRCS-15107", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Japan | Virgin YK-3 / Virgin YK-3-VR7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Spain | Virgin 13617 A7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of I'm A Believer are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Virgin VS.114, released September 13, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS.114, VR-56000, K-5681, 640 040) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 114 A-1U R and VS 114 B-1U R 1. 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.
